Australian model Chris Perceval’s tattoos mix large images with lettering and smaller symbols. A rose sits at the front of his neck; the chest combines ornamental script and portraits; his arms carry traditional-style pictures, and an eye sits inside a winged insect on his stomach.
The rose tattoo at the front of his neck
A large, outlined rose sits directly beneath Perceval’s beard, with its bloom facing forward. The petals fold toward the center and open out around it. Smaller neck work carries toward the sides, while the rose draws the eye from his face down to the chest. He also has a small number tattoo on his cheek. The photo doesn’t establish a personal meaning for the flower.
Ornamental lettering across his upper chest
Ornamental lettering and curling flourishes stretch along Perceval’s upper chest, above two inward-facing profiles. Roses sit beside the portraits; between them, a triangle with an eye rests above a larger woman’s face. The script makes a decorative upper border, though parts of the wording are obscured by the angle and a necklace.
The profiles, central portrait and lettering each have different linework and shading, but sit close together across the same section of chest.
The candle, portrait and rose tattoos on his left arm
Perceval’s left arm has a traditional-style mix of pictures: a woman’s profile and rose near the shoulder, a tall candle with a reddish flame, and another rose with warm red and orange tones lower down. The candle’s straight sides contrast with the rounded petals. The visible portraits and flowers aren’t identified as particular people or events.
The eye and winged insect tattoo on his stomach
A moth-like insect spreads across Perceval’s stomach just above the navel, with an eye at its center. Long panels and curled details fill the wings, while thin legs extend from the body. A heavily shaded woman’s portrait with colored cheeks and a beaded head covering sits above it; lettering and birds continue below. The lighter wing areas help keep the two central images distinct.
BORN lettering on his right hand
BORN runs across the fingers of Perceval’s right hand, with a large decorative letter on each finger and a smaller line below. The word lines up when his fingers are together and shifts as he moves his hand. His other hand has different letters and symbols, including a circular design, rather than a matching copy.
Perceval’s Q&A below was filmed while he was being tattooed. He talks about tattoos, training, business and life in Australia.