I don’t know about you guys, but I love top ten lists. When Vurdlak asked me if i could do one, I was really excited and a little surprised to see that there are only two top-tens on the site already. Well, rest assured that if you like posts like this, I’ll be happy to contribute plenty of them to the site -in fact, if you have any ideas for lists you’d like to see, feel free to leave your ideas in the comments here and if Vurdlak and I both like them, you just might see them in an upcoming post!
As for this first top ten list, I thought tattoos would make a great topic -after all, you have to really love an illusion to get one tattooed on you. This first tattoo is my personal favorite because it’s such a classic illusion subject –multiple meaning one. These work really well as arm tattoos because you never know if someone will view it while your arm is raised or not, making it the ideal location for such a piece. This specific design was done by David Page. On the left, you have a queen, but when you flip her upside down, you have a king.
Next, the skull illusion tattoo involves one of my favorite types of illusions. What’s so great about skull illusions? Let’s face it, they’re just so cool! It’s also a great idea for a tattoo since skulls are one of the most classic tattoo designs, but this interpretation brings the concept from cliche to chic.
Here’s another excellent skull illusion tattoo, this one involving two clowns holding hands while drinking. The tattoo, by Kate Hoogland, just might contain the most romantic skull illusion I have ever seen.
On the right, we have a brilliant rendition of M.C. Escher’s Drawing Hands illusion. The piece, done by Cheryl Volling, has some absolutely stunning shading, giving it the life-like appearance of the original Escher drawing.
This ambigram tattoo is great in that it incorporates some of the most important aspects of philosophy into an ambigram. It’s also particularly nice in that it is easy to read and doesn’t look strange from either direction, which is one of the hardest aspects in making an ambigram.
This saint/sinner ambigram is also easy to read, but rather than focusing on the arts and sciences, it focuses on religion. I think it really seems to denote the true duality of man.
Here’s another cool religious optical illusion, albeit in a a totally different style. If you don’t see the illusion, just back up a few more inches and then you’ll see that the image comes together to make the face and beard of Jesus.
On the right is another Escher tattoo, this one is on Flickr user’s alan.maia profile and features fish transforming into birds (and vice-versa) artwork. Maybe it’s just me, but I really love how worried that last fish in the tattoo looks.
We’ve featured a few of Del-Prete’s illusions before, but this impossible object tattooed on Flickr user bonstance and seen in the book Masters of Deception is still new.
Here’s a great tattoo with a double meaning. Is it a face or a cartoonish man playing saxophone?
Bonus: While it’s little anamorphic, this one might not technically be an illusion. Even so, the details are amazing enough to make it looks completely realistic.
Now, before I sign off, I thought I’d ask you guys about your own tattoos. After all, if you’re a regular reader of Moillusions.com, you just might be the type of person who’s willing to get an illusion tattoo. So, do any of you have illusion tattoos? And if you do, do you have any links to the pictures online? I know I’m not the only one who’d love to see them.
Also, I’m a big fan of giving credit where it’s due, so if you know who did any of the tattoos that aren’t labeled, please leave their names in the comments. Thanks guys!
whoa! the last ones creepy. hope those guys have enough money to remove them… who would want that on their body forever?
Andrew , obviously , you have no ink . While I am not a spiderman fan , that is an amazing piece of ink . I would love to know who the artist is . It’s not an illusion but , it is great skin art
Agreed. That last one is awesome. Anyone who knows anything about tatoos would admire that work.
His name is Steve Moore, works out of Victoria BC. (which is near Vancouver, BC)
http://www.getmooretattoos.com
Your so dumb. tattoos are cool, and if someone wants an amazing ink like that spiderman one, than they obviously arent gonna get it removed. Theyre prob not stupid stuck-up-their-own-church christians. -_-
wth? christians get tattoos all the time, it’s not a sin.. i’m sorry if you ever thought someone was stuck up. yeah there are stupid stuck up UGH christians, but not all of us are like that. it’s just as stuck up to think so.
ik what if ur a grandpa
Hey Krystal, I guess you’re just another Christian who doesn’t know exactly what she believes.
http://bible.cc/leviticus/19-28.htm
It is a sin to tattoo yourself.
I agree, I dont really like body art and too many piercings all though i am only of a young age (early teens) so many may not agree with me lol ;D
Love the ink. And for those arguing about it being a sin and quoting Leviticus 19:28, please stop taking scripture out of context. If you know your bible, you know Jesus came to free us from the rules, otherwise you would be sinning by trimming your bread or the hair at the sides of your head (Lev 19:27). Although I would still recommend against selling your daughter into prostitution (Lev 19:29)
For the individuals who think tattoos are a sin because they think it says so in Lev 19:28(esp. Justin from Nov 6), Do you also believe you should kill gays(Lev 20:13)? How about those that have affairs(Lev 20:10)?Make sure you keep your wife in check or this could happen, Deuteronomy 25:11-12. How about those that curse God(Lev 24:14-16)? How about eating ham(Lev 11:7-8)? How bout those rebellious children(Exodus 21:17)? Just in case someone wants some good laws from the new testament for those that say theres a new covenant. Mark 10:11-12 says you shouldn’t get remarried or your an adulterer, and we know what God says we do to them. And women in church? 1 Corinthians 14:34-35 Please educate yourself before you speak for all christians. Thanks.
People in that era were tattooing and cutting themselves *for the dead*, hoping to appease angry gods (little g) to find solace for the deceased. It has nothing to do with tattoos for adornment.
Thank you JP
BTW I’m Catholic and I’ll have to make sure but I’ve never heard Leviticus spoken of in our
Mass (service), so I don’t think it’s in our bible and were just as much Christians as the rest of you
The first one looks bizarre no matter which way you look at it.
I love those “double” meaning ambigrams.
What say the other word of the philosophy?
Philosophy upside-down is “Art & Science”.
it says, “Art & Science”
i absolutely love the last one
OUTSTANDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ANDREWPOKY-How much ink do you wear? And where do you wear it ??? Perhaps on a fingernail?
Give credit, where credit is due!!! WHO ARE THE ARTISTSS? There is some time and patience demostrated here
WOW..
I agree that the last one is too bizarre! Grotesque!
I think they are cool!
oh……..my……….god.
the fish/bird one and the spiderman ones would HURT!!! that is way too much ink and needle for me… ouch
Great “fleshwork”…love the gothic lettering!
I’m sorry but both ambigrams look anywhere near “easily readable” to me…
Try to draw it better. Ambigrams are incredibly challenging to make legible, and this “philosophy” one is extremely well constructed.
Very cool tatoo/illusions. I really dig the mobius wheels and the spiderman ones in particular.
I would not mark my body for any reason no matter how “cool” it looks. You have to live with it forever and you get old, it looks awlful
Ah the old “what if you don’t like it when you’re old and wrinkly” argument against getting tattoos. I have a full back piece and I am not the least bit worried about what it looks like when I get old, because no one else is going to see it. When I’m old and wrinkly I’m not going to be wearing tank tops, or showing skin, I’m going to be an old lady wearing respectable old lady clothes :)
@ HPANAMIO: Unlike you, I think most people who get tattoos like that sort of have this philosophy on life:
“Life is not a journey to the grave with the
intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body,but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming — WOW– What a Ride!” -Bill Mckenna
than y r u looking at them this type of art usually only attracts people interested in art or ink not criticis
I just LOVE those illusions in the tattoos! Gonna have my brother-in-law do one for me at his shop and will send it in.
I’d like to see some cloud illusions. My kids and I always look for cloud fomations that remind us of objects, animals, people etc.
We also like snow illusions – when snow melts it will leave behind large pillars. We saw one that looked like 3 men and a bear above them. I’ll try and send in the picture.
Thanks for the cool illusions they’re always a favorite of mine!
I love the illusion stuff the Spiderman coming out the chest has been a favorite of mine for awhile.. As a Tattooist I appreciate this type of love.. glad I got to see this.
Some constructive criticism.. ..I’m not sure this is what Vurdlak had in mind.. ..as this post doesn’t have the ‘feel’ of a top 10 & is quite different from Vurdlak’s top 10 posts..
..hope this helps..
-scott
Interesting to look at, but on one’s body? That’s either a total commitment to an art form or they’re completely insane.
While it’s true that these tats show quite a dedication to illusions, I’m still not sold on them being real. Looks like a decent job done with photoshop if you ask me…
What’s below Arts&Science? The red line? Is it a removed tatoo or some special tatoo color?
it looks like a branding…basically they shape iron and burn you with it. it’s another less popular form of body modification.
The last one is creepy!!
i like it… big up to the Artists am getting enough challenge….
Its not Kate, its Megan Hoogland.(The two clowns holding hand)
She has done a ambigram tattoo on my left leg.
One way it says “What doesnt kill me”, the other way it says “Makes me stronger”.
that sounds cool, you should submit a pic i’d like to see it
The Last one, Spiderman Tattoo, looks amazing!!
speechless
The spider man rip out tattoo was done by fellow tattoo artist Dan Hazelton. Out of respect, please research these ( before ) you post them. More of Dan’s work can be found here.
http://www.danhazelton.com/
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I love these! I don’t find the last one creepy at all. My brother has two tatoos where the skin looks ripped (like the last one here) and one has dragon scales where the skin is ripped and angel feathers for the other and it looks so lifelike! I have a celtic butterfly with pleanty of knotwork myself. I think you can appreciate these much more if you have ink yourself. My favorite are the words ones. Especially the “saint & sinner” one!
[img]http://a3.l3-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/30/e873fcfa056827f3be66a79db6d10d02/l.jpg[/img]
I hope you can see this. This is my colored “Angels and Demons” ambigram tattoo. I have six, this is my favorite.
[img]http://i125.photobucket.com/albums/p61/reaperisgrim/2011-09-12_20-42-37_244.jpg[/img]
grim reaper peeking through a zipper.
tattoos are for losers.
THIS IS FOR THAT ASSHOLE WHO SAID TATS ARE FOR LOSERS!! WTF R U LOOKING AT THIS SITE FOR THEN!! CHICKEN SHIT R U!!! U SAID YOUR PIECE IVE SAID MINE!!!
No, being a judgemental “holier than thou” prick makes someone a loser. Tattoos are just another way people show their individuality….which is a BEAUTIFUL amazing gift from God. So keep your negative shitty comments to yourself…you might do well to get that stick out of your ass while you are at it….might be why you are so grouchy…
the tattoosis the mark of the soul
Hey the spider man tattoo is done by Trevor Chambers
These are all really cool tattoos. I personally have no ink, but that is not to say that I don’t appreciate the amazing artwork! I think the ambigrams are especially neat.
Comments like “tattoos are for losers” (Tim) are so rude & unnecessary. You don’t like them? Great; don’t get one! I have decided that they are not for me, but I don’t go out of my way to be against them. Boo!
Also, as for the argument that tattoos are a bad idea because they will look bad when you are old & wrinkly: as my husband says (he has ink), wrinkles will look bad whether they have a design on them or not.
More to the point, this is just to showcase some great work by talented artists. Quit hatin’!
Well said Lush. “Also, as for the argument that tattoos are a bad idea because they will look bad when you are old & wrinkly: as my husband says (he has ink), wrinkles will look bad whether they have a design on them or not.”
I hadn’t personally planned to get tattoos but I had a friend who was an apprentice and I let her use me as her guinea pig. I don’t regret it. I’m glad I didn’t get tattoos when I was 18 or 19 though… I was 38 when I got my first.
Where’s the one of the black widow?? That’s the whole reason I clicked on the goddamn link to this page!
Brands are made for cattle. They don’t even use brands anymore on cattle, they use ear tags. So all you cattle wannabes get yourself some ear tags.
Your body is a temple, their is nothing wrong with putting up some pictures.
I love the memento mori. The first (lady looking in mirror/skull) looks like a tattoo-design version of “All Is Vanity” by C. Allan Gilbert. I like their stylistic take on it.
THESE TATS R AMAZING!!! LOTS OF TALENT IN THEM. OUR BODIES SHOULD BE SO LUCKY TO WEAR THEM!!!
Great tattoos, great illusions. I love the skulls. They’re real works of art. Kudos to the artists…whoever they are.
Nice Post man i like it and Great tattoos, great illusions. I love the skulls thanks for shearing
oki love the saint sinner one the spiderman one looks great but i def.wouldntdo it on myself:( ouch!!!
wOW, some of those are amazing and you’re right the spiderman one is pretty creepy. I’m too scared to get a tattoo because I’m worried I might not want it in the future and have to pay a lot of money to remove it.
I have that hand painting in my living room
This is so cool! Tattoo artists are really wonderful designers! Thanks for sharing!
The spiderman tatto is good. Great art in his body
we
The Spiderman tattoo is by the late tattooist Named Alex Gang from southwales
fuk all da haters on here if yo a#! dnt wanna tat thats good for you go sit da fuk down somewhere and mine ya binness! d-_-b
Loads of nice tattoos, love the spiderman one.
Love the ambigrams I have the saint & sinner, life & death and addiction & temptation ambigram tattoos
Cool optical illusion!… I want to have one too! xD
nice! i may talk 2 my own inkslinger & see about getting the art& science/philosophy 1. been about 5mos since my last ink; got that ink fever, u know?
The Spider-Man one is amazing but I think that’s a little too much pain for me to endure. I would totally get it if I had the guts though but I might get something on a smaller scale as a representation of this one. Great Job! Loved The Ambigrams :)
Dude who said tattoos are for losers: your a loser for looking at an entire page of tattoo pictures just so you can comment that.
Like all other tattoos, those look like utter shit. I simply can’t imagine being that starved for attention.
It’s a proven fact that mouth breathers LOVE top ten lists and Dell PCs!
it remids me of ink master
Love your site !! Thanks to all of you that keep this ancient art a live you all our true artist
Lol you didn’t see nothing (that wheel is tragic), there is a guy called Dima or Misha, he don’t have his studio, he is traveling around world and making great illusion tattoos.
Your first tattoo should be credited to Rex Whistler, whose amazing book OHO pairs his double illustrations with matching poems by his brother.
The tattoo you show is actually not of a King and Queen, but of “the Mayor of Standon Ceremony” and his wife. [img]http://www.amazon.co.uk/drawings-Whistler-words-Laurence-Whistler/dp/B0018H7O8U[/img]
This is so cool! Tattoo artists are really excellents designers! love the spiderman one…
This goes back to the Nov 6,2011 comment by Justin who says it’s a sin to get tattoos and quotes Leviticus 19:28. So Justin, just like all fanatics, you pick and choose which verses to quote to suit your needs. Look at Leviticus 19:27, the one BEFORE your higher than thou reference. Leviticus 19:27 “‘Do not cut the hair at the sides of your head or clip off the edges of your beard. I’ll be Justin gets a haircut and shaves. What a hypocrite.
Thank you! Besides.. Both those rules were written in the old covenant. And we’re under the new covenant.
Does anyone know the artist of the “Philosophy/Art & Science” ambigram?
I didn’t see Jesus in the Saint Tattoo But It upside down the word Saint says Sinner!
how much would it be if i got best friend in chines
:D I dont get what the words say plz help :D
Tats are for attention seeking sluts and guys who are insecure in their own masculinity.
James – I disagree, but I respect your right to your opinion.
Meow Meow – Those words are ambigrams that can be read upright or upside-down. You can try creating one of your own over at
FlipScript ambigram tattoos
Sarah Lee – The artist for the Art & Science / Philosophy ambigram is John Langdon. Google his name for more of his designs.
These are truly wonderful. Not only are the artists talented but the people who stay still long enough to have them done have my respect. I would love one (I am well over 50) but am too chicken. It took me till I was 50 just to get my ears pierced. lol. The Spider-man one is sensational and is akin to the illusion body painting but with pain. Obviously everyone who gets ink does it for a reason. Not anyone’s concern why. Live and let live so long as it hurts no-one else in any way. Don’t be so narrow minded you lot.
Love the Science Philosophy ambigram. Here’s my ambigram.
‘ The World Is Mine ‘[img]http://meta.blundell-apps.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/tat.png[/img]
To any of the people that say “what about when u get old, then the ink will be a mistake” that is most definately not the case! Cuz later in my life when I am old, sore, tired, fighting to walk, and fighting to not pee my pants before i finish shuffling into the restroom, the LAST thought in my mind is gonna be” Dang I wish i hadn’t got all this ink and artwork that reminds me of the good times”
I love the two skull designs!
As far as the ambigram tattoos do, I think you create those saying whatever you want at FlipScript.com
And no, I don’t believe that the bible says that getting a tattoo is a sin
All of those are boring And trashy. Wanna see some awesome 3d tattoos ? Search google for geometric tattoos .
Thanks for your explanation on the saints & sinners tatoo my son got it today & when he showed it to me I hurt his feelings by saying it was so plain it looked elementary /// However now that you explained it I now get it So thank you very much . Now do you want to help me ask my son to forgive me.??? After all I am just a MOM lol l
TO THE STAFF OF THIS CRUMMY COLUMN.
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!! !!
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Hi there! This article couldn’t be written any better!
Going through this post reminds me of my previous roommate!
He constantly kept preaching about this. I will send this
post to him. Fairly certain he’s going to have a good read.
Thanks for sharing!
I think the people comparing tattoos to sins should really take a long look at themselves. I’m a Catholic recently inked and I did it in honor of a deceased relative to signify that live goes on even after death. People who turn away from God choose to through their own wrongdoings not by drawing artwork on their bodies. Its a symbol of admiration and love for something not defiance and animosity. And btw all of your reasons quoted from the Bible are from the first testoment also taken from the Jewish Tanakh (not discriminating against jewish people, that would make me a sinner) it is ashame some people don’t fully understand what their paving before they preach it.
The biggest difference in my book between tattoed people and people without, are that tattoed people will not judge the one without…..
hey i notice on the spiderman tat, the hole on the top looks like an open eye lid.
also there is a real life illusion in my hometown. there is a church that is built and positioned in such a way when you are coming down the road from the through-way across the hill below, the church when lit up at night looks like a Christ type figure with outstretched robed arms and hair parted in the middle with a beard.