Keeping the Tradition of American Tattoo Flash Alive in San Diego
At Remington Tattoo, I like to keep the tradition of hand-painting tattoo flash alive. For those unfamiliar, tattoo flash refers to the printed or hand-painted design sheets historically displayed in tattoo shops for customers to choose from. Painting new flash sheets allows me to perfect my skills in clean linework, smooth shading, and bold color choices - all while creating classic tattoo designs to expand my artistic repertoire.
American traditional tattoo flash has its roots in the military and circus/carnival scenes of the early 1900s. Famous old school tattoo artists like Bert Grimm, Owen Jensen, and the legendary Sailor Jerry painted many iconic sheets of flash during this golden era of tattooing. Their designs drew heavily from patriotic, nautical, and nostalgic Americana themes.
When creating new flash sheets, I start by pencil sketching rough designs on paper. I draw inspiration from classic vintage flash as well as San Diego culture - everything from military and nautical motifs to surf, animals, flowers and more. I put my own twist on the designs to keep the spirit of traditional flash alive.
Once I have my sketches finalized, I begin inking outlines using traditional nibs. These work similar to old-fashioned dip pens and give me clean, precise linework. After outlining, I paint on shading and color using watercolor and spit-shading techniques for smooth blends. I work with both small brushes for detail and larger brushes to pull and fade the colors.
Painting flash allows me to hone my skills in a low-stakes way. Unlike tattooing directly on skin, I can tweak the designs and experiment on paper. This has helped develop my personal style. Hand-painting also keeps the traditional methods alive in an age of digital art and tattoo machines.
I proudly display my freshly painted sheets in the shop for customers to admire and draw inspiration from. And I frequently refer back to my flash for new tattoo ideas. It's an indispensable creative exercise for every tattooer.
A sheet of traditional American tattoo flash painted by Chris Cockrill in San Diego. This sheet has really gold and silver leaf highlights.
At Remington Tattoo, the tradition of American tattoo flash continues to thrive. My hand-painted sheets provide a window into this iconic style and culture. If you're considering getting a classic tattoo, schedule a consultation or swing by the shop to view my flash books! I look forward to working with you.