This guy had pretty clear ideas for his first tattoo: he wanted a character from the video game Doom, integrated into a biomechanical structure that would also feature two symbols: the Mark of The Slayer, also from Doom, and the Arasaka logo from Cyberpunk. The tattoo was to start at the shoulder, snaking its way down to the inner forearm and wrist. I’d had similar requests before, and I have to say, this kind of layout doesn’t really excite me, both for the effect it has on the body and the limitations it imposes on future expansions. It’s common for people starting out with tattoos to later decide to expand their designs, but he was determined and unwavering.
From Character to Biomech Design
So, I had to figure out what could be done with his tattoo idea. The first step was to completely overhaul the character he’d suggested: its horns extended horizontally, but unless they stretched across his back and chest, there was no way to keep them like that. I also wanted to make it more personal. He agreed and asked me to develop it as I saw fit. I reimagined the skull entirely and opted for coiled horns, like a ram’s, which better suited the shoulder’s anatomy without needlessly spilling over onto his chest and back.
A Biomech Tattoo with Unique Details
The biomech part, which he wanted full of pipes, posed no issues, nor was it a challenge to come up with circular inserts for the two logos he wanted. The real difficulty was framing the design in order for the mechanics to feel like a natural part of his arm. At first, I tried geometric shapes, but the effect didn’t convince me, so I went with a more “traditional” approach with small tentacles, spikes, and abrasions. We were both happy with it.
The Final Result
All that remained was to transfer it on skin, a process completed in a couple of consecutive sessions, plus a short third one to refine some details and enhance the contrasts. Personally, I would have preferred to do the entire arm, but the final biomech tattoo is still unique and original, although unfortunately, due to its layout, it’s tricky to photograph as well as it deserves.
Below: images of the working process and the video of the tatto after a few touch-ups
