A half sleeve composition of dragon and tiger, inspired by Japanese traditional painting.
This half sleeve tattoo design was inspired by traditional Japanese paintings of the dragon and tiger.
The dragon moves through waves and ink-like clouds above, while the tiger holds its ground on the rocks below.
In East Asian imagery, the dragon can be seen as a force of sky, water, movement, and transformation, while the tiger carries the strength of mountains, earth, courage, and protection.
Rather than simply depicting a fight, I wanted this piece to show two different forces held in tension and balance within one composition.
The coiling movement of the dragon, the grounded posture of the tiger, and the surrounding waves, rocks, and clouds were arranged to flow together as one scene on the arm.
View the full piece — Dragon & Tiger on Onsil Ink →
