Review: Body art by Negko Devinna

June 3rd, 2008 at 07:00pm Ryan Darragh

I don’t wear a lot of tattoos in SL. I have none at all in RL, although I have been contemplating one on and off for a while now. But tattoos are yet another area where it’s fun, rewarding, even enlightening to express yourself in SL, even though I might not indulge at all (or yet) in RL. Not just any ink will do. It has to be the right artwork, the right style, the right outer expression of something inner–these make all the difference.

Negko Devinna’s tattoo designs came to my attention by way of a reader recommendation. (Thanks, Viola!) I wasn’t quite sure what to expect when I arrived at Negko’s shop–although Viola had mentioned Negko’s blog, I, um, hadn’t actually checked it out yet. :/ As a result, everything was new to me as I stepped into the Great Unknown…which was perhaps a good thing.

The tattoos shown here are all from Negko’s ‘Kamate’ collection. Negko’s artwork is not only beautiful but impressive, with natural-looking blending and fading. The designs actually appear to flow over the body rather than simply looking “pasted on”–the effect is actually quite tactile and sensual. Above you see “Humaga” (L$149), a subtle jacket-style tattoo (here you can see the back). I’m also wearing “Tana” (L$49), which adds coordinating “gloves” to the “jacket.” At right you see “Lomu” (L$249, back view), a complex tribal tattoo that also includes matching leg artwork. I’m not generally a big fan of full-torso or full-body tattoos, but there have been exceptions, and the subtlety, even grace of these designs won me over.

Intrigued by the artwork and impressed by its execution as realistic body art, I asked Negko about his inspirations and creative process. He was gracious enough to respond with some details that lend insight into his work. “I began making tattoos by reproducing well known designs (as the panther for example). They were tattoos [that] friends were asking for, with a specific element to make it unique and add value. Then I read books and magazines about tattoos, drew the ones I like on paper and [in] Photoshop, then spent hours adjusting them and removing seams.

“I try to mix some trends, combine some tribal basic designs with kanji that define them. Also, I inspired myself from Japanese family crests; the shapes are simple but [the way] they are designed…has a powerful message.

“The latest releases I made start from a tribal pattern I drew and applied on the avatar shape. The project will be really done when I release the male skin that will allow me to also tattoo the face. This pattern is also a very solid base to make a background and try ‘layer over layer’ tattoo designs.”

Above at left you see “Dragon Haka” (L$169, back view). Above right, “Scorpion Haka” (L$249, closer view), which includes full-body artwork. At left, I’m wearing “Warrior Soul” (L$199).

In addition to being beautiful, I think these tattoos are also tremendously sexy. I think this is hardly incidental. Beauty and sexiness; thought and eroticism; mind, spirit and body–all are intertwined. I don’t think it’s too grandiose to suggest that, just maybe, the right tattoo can help to express this.

Where possible, these tattoos are provided on multiple clothing layers for convenience and flexibility. All permissions are No Modify / Copy / No Transfer. Some designs can be tried first in demo form, and there are also some freebies out in the shop if you look around. Available at Negko Design at Midnight Lotus (Buffalo Run 159, 116, 62).

Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Yes | Friends List: No

Notes: On Ryan: "Adam" skin by Hart Larsson (PXL Creations). "Yuuya" hair by Rei Gully (Zero Style). Ash Jeans by Zabitan Assia (FORM). Stylish Leather Bracelet by Yukirei Greene (Yukirei Accessories).

Entry Filed under: Designer Reviews, Negko Design, Tattoos