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Beautiful tattoos are everywhere, but finding ones that genuinely make you smile is rare. That’s why I had to interview South Korean tattoo artist Ovenlee. Her designs are pure joy, bringing warmth and cheer to anyone who sees them.

With over 170k Instagram followers, Ovenlee embodies the essence of Korean tattoo culture, where delicate fine lines and vibrant colors blend seamlessly. Whether she’s inking an animal, a favorite food, or a cherished family portrait, her work always has an irresistibly adorable charm.

TATTOOIST OVENLEE INTERVIEW

Hi Ovenlee, can you tell us about yourself and your tattoo style?

I am a calm painter. I tend to capture the serene moments of my objects because painting keeps me grounded. Most of the objects of my drawings are about places and moments in life. And I also tattoo blooming flowers in fields and curvy, sophisticated plants.

I am curious, is Ovenlee a nickname or your real name?

It’s my nickname. This one time, I wanted to translate the warmth of an oven into a painting. So that’s why I brought with me an oven. And I added my last name, “Lee” to create my nickname Ovenlee.

Can you tell us how did you become a tattoo artist?

Actually, I didn’t plan on becoming a tattooist when I was in college. I was only uploading drawings to my Instagram. But then, someone wanted to get a tattoo of one of my drawings.

My friend, who was a tattooist at the time, gave him a tattoo based on my drawing. And it made me feel so proud. That was when I realized tattoos could be a permanent medium for my art. This concept was so fascinating that it encouraged me to start tattooing.

How do you come up with a tattoo idea? Where do you find inspiration?

I get inspired by my experiences and the photos I take.

I have been to places where nature was just gorgeous. And I couldn’t help drawing them down or taking photos of them. These precious memories become my fountain of inspiration.

Do you design the tattoos ahead or on set with the clients?

Most of my tattoos are based on stories and memories. So when a customer tells me their story, I draw it and send it to them by e-mail in advance. And they make some tweaks to their liking.

You have tattooed several cartoon characters or Disney characters. Which one is your favorite?

I like Disney movies very much, especially Winnie the Pooh. I’ve been working on a Pooh painting recently, and I like it a lot.

Can you share with us a tattoo and the inspiration behind it?

This question reminds me of Debussy’s music. The work is a painting I drew while listening to Debussy’s Moonlight. I’ve put all the emotions I had then into the painting, and it captured the moment perfectly. That’s why this tattoo holds a special place in my heart.

Which placement will you suggest for most people?

I will recommend the upper arm because it has enough space and it’s easier to take care. Thus the tattoos maintain better.

Do you have a tattoo yourself?

Yes, I do. I got it from my teacher Sol. It’s a tattoo of Prague Castle based on a photo I took. I went there with my mom, and thus, the tattoo reminds me of the happy time we had together.

What is the most challenging tattoo you have ever done? What makes it so difficult?

The most challenging tattoo I’ve done so far is a cover-up tattoo. The client wanted a tattoo to hide her Mongolian spots. The challenge is to find a pattern in proper colors that matches the spots. But it turned out to be a beautiful design.

In your opinion, what is a good tattoo?

I think a good tattoo has to be personal. That means the design carries a meaning that is special to the wearer. After all, no matter how others see it, if it’s a meaningful tattoo, it’s a good one.

Have you tattooed yourself?

I’ve only done it once. It isn’t easy because, usually, tattooing requires both hands.

This tattoo is my first self-tattoo. It was an experiment, and I was very nervous in the process. Luckily it turned out to be a beautiful tattoo.

What design will you suggest as a first tattoo?

I highly recommend flower tattoos. They are versatile because they can be big or small and still be beautiful. It will be even better if the flower holds a special meaning. For example, birth flowers are a good idea.

Does the pandemic change your life and work as a tattooist?

Yes, it does.

Before the pandemic, I had a lot of international clients. But as overseas traveling becomes more difficult now, the number of international tourists decreases. So does international bookings.

Moreover, fewer domestic clients are getting tattoos as well. Covid has been very severe in South Korea recently, and many are infected. That resulted in canceled or postponed reservations.

But I try my best not to be discouraged by the situation. On the contrary, the more difficult the time is, the more I want to give strength to others through my art. That’s why I have focused on drawing bright and uplifting paintings lately.

Besides tattooing, what are your hobbies or things you love to do?

My hobby is making pottery. I majored in ceramics in college. (My major has become a hobby. haha )Sometimes I draw my pictures on pottery and make cute motifs.

What is your goal as an artist? Any plans recently?

I always enjoy meeting new people, especially those from different cultural backgrounds. And maybe I will do guest work or live in another country in the future.

The tattoo industry is constantly evolving, and today, there’s a vast array of tattoo styles to choose from. We’re not kidding—our list includes over 60 distinct tattoo styles, each explained in detail and accompanied by plenty of pictures. Our goal is to help you find the perfect style for your next tattoo and to clear up any confusion you might have. To make things easier, we’ll present these styles in alphabetical order. Ready to dive in?

WOOD CARVING TATTOO STYLE

In the Stonework Tattoo style, imagine yourself as a stone sculpture, with the tattoo giving the illusion of carved stone. For the Wood Carving Tattoo style, envision your body as a piece of wood, with the tattoo resembling intricate carvings. Both styles can achieve strikingly realistic effects, but they require a high level of skill and technique from the tattoo artist.

White ink Tattoo Style

White ink for tattoos might seem unusual, but it’s indeed used. While it’s not the main color and often goes unnoticed, it can create striking effects when combined with other colors.

Some Watercolor artists we want you to know

The world of watercolor tattoos is captivating, with many talented artists making their mark. We’d like to highlight two you should definitely check out: Laura Caselles and Kathycaboom.

Both are Spanish, yet their styles are distinctively different. Laura Caselles creates elegant, harmonious tattoos often inspired by movies, series, or manga. In contrast, Kathycaboom’s work is a vibrant burst of colors, featuring dynamic and energetic designs. Both artists are known for their unique and eye-catching styles.

Watercolor Tattoo Style

Watercolor tattoos are a prominent style, often serving as a foundational element in various other styles. What sets them apart is their unique color palette and distinct allure, which come from their versatility in different compositions.

Tribal Tattoo Style

Tribal tattoos encompass styles from the Pacific region, including Polynesian, Maori, and Hawaiian, among others. While it may seem broad, grouping them together is often the easiest way to address the diverse styles within this area.

Trash Polka Tattoo Style

Trash Polka is a unique and striking tattoo style that originated in Germany. It blends elements of collage with motifs like swords, bombs, and smog, creating a raw, edgy aesthetic. The color palette is predominantly black and red, often making these two colors the defining feature of the style.

Torn / Ripped Skin Tattoo Style

The Torn or Ripped Skin tattoo style creates a striking optical illusion that makes it look as though the skin is torn or ripped. This technique is quite challenging and requires the expertise of a highly skilled tattoo artist.

Surrealism Tattoo Style

Surrealism, which emerged in the 1920s as a style for painting, drawing, writing, and other forms of art, can also be applied to tattoos. So, absolutely, you can create a surrealistic tattoo as well!

Stonework Tattoo Style

Stonework is a remarkable tattoo style, though it’s not as widely known as one might expect. The idea is to create the illusion of a sculpture on your skin. When executed by a skilled artist, the results are truly mesmerizing.

Sticker Tattoo Style

The Sticker Tattoo style stands out by blending elements we love, such as 3D effects, vibrant colors, and imaginative designs. The goal is straightforward: to make it look like you have a sticker on your skin rather than a traditional tattoo.

Stick and Poke Tattoo Style

We’ve debated whether to include the Stick and Poke Tattoo style, and here it is. This method involves inking with just a needle and ink, without any machines. While it can be appealing to some, we generally don’t recommend it due to safety concerns—unless you find a highly skilled and reputable artist.

Stained-Glass Tattoo Style

When you think of stained glass, you probably envision a medieval church, right? The Stained Glass Tattoo style aims to bring that same intricate, colorful aesthetic to the skin. By translating this classic design into a tattoo, you capture the essence of stained glass art on your body.

Small/Micro Tattoo Style

Not everyone prefers large tattoos, and that’s perfectly okay. You can opt for a small or micro tattoo in any style you like. The key requirement is simply that it remains small.

Sketch Tattoo Style

We love Sketch Tattoos because a skilled artist can turn them into something truly spectacular. Essentially, the technique involves transferring a sketch from paper to skin, resulting in a striking, detailed design.

Silhouette Tattoo Style

Silhouette Tattoos resemble portrait tattoos but are typically done in black ink, creating a shadow-like effect. They are visually striking yet more subtle, making them a great option for those looking for a more understated design.

Quote/Words Tattoo Style

To be honest, the Quote or Words Tattoo style is quite similar to lettering and script tattoos. The main difference is that this style focuses on inking quotes or meaningful words, rather than names.

Psychedelic Tattoo Style

The Psychedelic Tattoo style can be seen as a foundation for other styles like Blast Over or New School, featuring vivid, bright colors. Just as psychedelia influences music and various art forms, it also leaves its mark on tattoo designs.

Portrait Tattoo Style

Portrait tattoos are widely popular across many countries. The concept is straightforward: it’s about having a portrait permanently inked on your skin. Whether it’s a famous figure, a family member, or even your cat, the focus is on capturing the likeness you want to honor.

Pop Art Tattoo Style

Most people can easily picture this tattoo style. Just as pointillism aims to replicate a trend in painting, the Pop Art Tattoo style captures a similar vibrant, graphic aesthetic but through its own unique approach.

Polygon Tattoo Style

The Polygon Tattoo Style was popular a few years ago, particularly for animal designs. The idea is to take any design and render it using polygons. It can be done in black ink or with colors, depending on your preference.

Pointillism Tattoo Style

The Pointillism Tattoo Style takes this concept further by emulating the pointillism technique found in painting but on the skin. It requires significantly more detail, skill, and patience, resulting in a more intricate and painstaking process.

Pixel Tattoo Style

Having grown up in the ’80s, pixels hold a special place for us, especially with our ’90s video game nostalgia. Imagine having a tattoo style that mimics 8-bit designs—pretty awesome, right?

Pinstripe Tattoo Style

The Pinstripe tattoo style is a bit unconventional, but we find it fascinating! This style features intricate designs with precise lines and vibrant colors, resembling a spirograph pattern combined with tattoo art.

Outline Tattoo Style

The Outline Tattoo Style is straightforward and easy to grasp. It consists of just outlines without colors or intricate details. While it may seem simple, a well-designed outline tattoo can be truly fantastic.

Ornamental Tattoo Style

The Ornamental style is a cornerstone in the tattoo world, encompassing a wide range of substyles. In terms of technique, ornamental tattoos are known for their intricate details and can vary from flowing, organic forms to precise, traditional geometric patterns.

Optical Illusion Tattoo Style

We have to be honest: Optical Illusion tattoos are among our favorites. They typically feature bold lines and larger designs, creating a “wow effect” that makes everyone take notice.

Norse / Viking Tattoo Style

Norse culture and symbolism, whether from Vikings or Lapponian people, are widely recognized around the globe. This tattoo style falls under the ethnic category and simply requires incorporating elements from these cultures.

New School Tattoo Style

The New School tattoo style is quite similar to Neo-Traditional, featuring thick lines, vibrant colors, and bold designs. What sets it apart is the incorporation of graffiti techniques in the drawings and color work. That’s the essence of it.

Neotraditional Tattoo Style

The Neo-Traditional style is an evolution of this, featuring thick lines, vivid colors, and a variety of designs. It’s often referred to as Neo-Traditional or simply “Neotrad.”

Negative Space / Blackout Tattoo Style

When you think of a standard tattoo, you likely picture a design inked in black or color. However, a Negative Space Tattoo uses black ink while the design is created with the natural color of your skin. The result is a striking and unique effect!

Native American Tattoo Style

Yes, the Native American Tattoo style falls within the ethnic tattoo category but is distinct on its own. Native American culture is rich with unique symbolism, deities, and traditions, offering a wealth of inspiration for tattoos.

Minimalist Tattoo Style

The Minimalism Tattoo style is one of the most popular worldwide. Its designs are typically simple and small, allowing you to have something unique without drawing too much attention.

Mayan Tattoo Style

Certainly, the Mayan Tattoo style falls under the ethnic/tribal category. Mayan culture is known for its intricate symbols, patterns, and designs, which make for truly fantastic and detailed tattoos.

Mandala Tattoo Style

You’re familiar with mandalas, right? This tattoo style involves either featuring a mandala as the main design or integrating it into a larger piece.

Mambo / Destrutturato Tattoo Style

Yes, this is a new style created by Mattia Calvi in Milan, Italy. It’s called Mambo after the tattoo shop, Mambo Tattoer. The concept involves deconstructing natural forms and reassembling them into more abstract, manageable pieces. We believe it works exceptionally well.

Line Tattoo Style

We’ve seen a myriad of intricate tattoo styles, but line tattoos return to the basics—and we love it. In line style tattoos, the focus is solely on the use of lines. The results can be exceptionally balanced, harmonious, and visually stunning.

Lettering or Script Tattoo Style

Inking phrases or concepts lies at the heart of tattooing, which is why many opt for lettering or script tattoos. This style boasts numerous substyles, from Chicano to Japanese lettering, making it highly adaptable and rich in variety.

Kawaii Tattoo Style

Kawaii is a manga substyle characterized by its depiction of extremely cute subjects, such as animals, plants, and more. In art, kawaii drawings are relatively simple, featuring vibrant colors that translate beautifully onto the skin.