Artist uses leaves as stencils for her tattoos

… and the results are simply stunning

When you’re choosing a tattoo, the most important thing is to find a design that will stand the test of time (just ask Johnny Depp!). And what could be more time transcendent than an image inspired by nature?

So, if you’re thinking of getting inked – and you don’t fancy laser removal treatment anytime soon – you could do worse than take a leaf out of Ukranian tattoo artist Rita Zolotukhina’s book. 

Copyright: Rita Zolotukhina

Botanical fingerprints

The tattoo artist, also known as Rit Kit, uses real leaves and flowers found in nature as a template for her designs. The method is super-simple but yields beautiful results, referred to by Rit Kit as ‘botanical footprints’.

An organic process

In an interview with Illusion the artist talked of the organic nature of the process: “We don’t know the definitive look when we start, just the colors, the mood and basic shape. It’s my favorite way to make tattoos, and I think the most natural. They’re like botanical fingerprints on the bodies of other brave nature lovers.”

 

Easy as one, two, three…

It really is this simple…

1. First, the leaf is dipped in temporary ink and pressed on the client’s skin.

2. The leaf is carefully peeled away to reveal a detailed ink imprint.

3. Zolotukhina tattoos over the temporary image as normal using regular tattoo ink, to create a beautifully delicate and realistic nature-inspired design.

Insta-ink

Looking for some ink-spiration? Check out Zolotukhina’s beautiful finished designs as well as works-in-progress on her Live Leaf Instagram feed.

 

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