Tattoo Prompt Generator

A brief for a flash sketch to time or print: subject, style, size, placement and one extra to work in.

Tattoo Prompt Generator: 30 ideas

A small cloud with a lightning bolt as a sketch-style design, in a strip one finger wide, to fit just above the knee, with a pair of initials joined by a small heart.

Padlock: keep a part. Arrows: change only that part.

Subjectsmall cloud with a lightning bolt
Stylesketch-style
Sizein a strip one finger wide
Placementjust above the knee
Add-ona pair of initials joined by a small heart

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Idea of the day

A small cloud with a lightning bolt as a sketch-style design, in a strip one finger wide, to fit just above the knee, with a pair of initials joined by a small heart.
A dragon asleep on a pile of coins as a neo-traditional design, hand-sized, to fit the lower leg just above the ankle, with a pair of initials joined by a small heart.
A sword sunk into a boulder as an art deco design, coin-sized, to fit the calf, with a banner for one word.
A compass rose as an art deco design, postage-stamp-sized, to fit the shoulder cap, with an arrow through it.
A hummingbird at a flower as a black and grey design, coaster-sized, to fit the upper arm, with a set of map coordinates underneath.
A witch's hat with a buckle as a sticker-style design, matchbox-sized, to fit just above the knee, with a few falling petals.
A sun and moon sharing one face as an art deco design, postage-stamp-sized, to fit just above the knee, with a trail of smoke.
A sprig of lavender as a neo-traditional design, thumbprint-sized, to fit the spine, with a plain triangle behind it.
A constellation of a star sign as a stained glass design, coin-sized, to fit the top of the foot, with a playing-card border and a suit in each corner.
A stag head with full antlers as an art nouveau design, the size of a jam-jar lid, to fit the front of the thigh, with a year split in two on either side.
A raven on a branch as a geometric design, the length of a finger, to fit the spine, with an oval cameo frame.
A holly sprig with berries as a traditional design, matchbox-sized, to fit the spine, with a lightning bolt on either side.
A goldfish with a fan tail as an engraving-style design, thumbprint-sized, to fit the shoulder blade, with a crescent moon above.
A death's-head hawkmoth as an illustrative design, the length of a finger, to fit a single framed sheet for a wall, with a blank scroll underneath.
A koi swimming in a curve as a black and grey design, coaster-sized, to fit the shoulder cap, with a scatter of tiny stars.
A nautical star as a watercolour-style design, palm-sized, to fit the front of the thigh, with a short line of handwriting underneath.
A corked bottle with a rolled message inside as an embroidered patch design, playing-card-sized, to fit the calf, with a plain triangle behind it.
A single pine tree as a minimalist design, hand-sized, to fit the ribs, with a few falling petals.
A black cat with an arched back as a stained glass design, palm-sized, to fit the collarbone, with a scatter of tiny stars.
A front door of a childhood home as a dotwork design, coaster-sized, to fit the ribs, with a sprig of leaves on each side.
A snowflake with six matching arms as a silhouette design, in a strip one finger wide, to fit the upper arm, with a border of rope.
A skull with a rose in its teeth as a fine line design, playing-card-sized, to fit the upper arm, with nothing at all and plenty of space around it.
A black cat with an arched back as a sketch-style design, palm-sized, to fit the upper arm, with a small ringed planet nearby.
A bat hanging upside down as a specimen plate design, the length of a finger, to fit the inner forearm, with a sunburst of straight lines.
A stovetop coffee pot as an engraving-style design, hand-sized, to fit the shoulder cap, with a crescent moon above.
A two-masted ship in a bottle as a woodcut-style design, coin-sized, to fit the spine, with a ribbon tied in a bow.
A dragonfly with veined wings as a woodcut-style design, matchbox-sized, to fit the upper arm, with dots and sparkles around the edge.
A wave about to break as a silhouette design, thumbprint-sized, to fit the collarbone, with a checkerboard background.
A eucalyptus stem as a sticker-style design, coin-sized, to fit a single framed sheet for a wall, with a sunburst of straight lines.
A rainbow between two clouds as a watercolour-style design, palm-sized, to fit the upper arm, with three small flowers tucked behind.

Next step

Subject: all 170 subjects

Old school and nautical 29

anchor wrapped in rope A cross-bar, a ring on top and two upturned flukes, with rope winding round the shank.
black cat with an arched back An upturned U of a body, tail straight up, and fur in small spikes along the spine.
compass rose A circle, four long points and four short ones between them. Mark north with a letter or a flourish.

Show all 170 subjects (167 more)

Old school and nautical, continued

dagger through a rose A straight blade on the diagonal with the rose across its middle. Keep the guard and pommel simple.
eagle with spread wings Wings up in a wide V, head turned to one side, feathers in three rows that lengthen outwards.
four-leaf clover on a curved stem Four heart-shaped leaves meeting at a point, each with a crease down its middle.
hand holding a single flower A hand from the wrist up, fingers closed on a stem. A cuff or a frill finishes the wrist end.
heart with a ribbon across it A plump symmetrical heart. The ribbon passes in front and folds back on itself at both ends.
hourglass with running sand Two glass bulbs in a wooden frame: a heap below, a dip above, and a thin line falling between.
lighthouse on a rock A tapering tower with bands, a lamp room on top and two wedges of light. Waves break at the base.
lit candle in a holder A short candle in a dish with a finger loop, a teardrop flame, and wax running down one side.
lucky horseshoe A thick U with a row of nail holes. A small clover or a ribbon can sit across the opening.
nautical star Five points, each split down the middle into a light half and a dark half.
old diving helmet A dome with three round windows, bolts around each one, and a wide collar plate below.
pair of cherries on one stem Two glossy rounds, each with a window-shaped highlight, their stems meeting at a single leaf.
pair of lucky dice Two cubes at different tilts, three faces showing on each. Opposite faces of a die add up to seven.
rose in full bloom with two leaves Start from a tight spiral in the centre and add petals as overlapping cups. One leaf each side.
sailing ship under full sail Three masts, square sails all bellied the same way, and a curl of wave at the bow.
shark with its mouth open A torpedo body curving towards you, a pointed snout, and one row of triangles for teeth.
ship's wheel Eight spokes that pass through the rim and end in turned handles, with a small hub in the centre.
skeleton key with an ornate handle A looped, decorated handle, a long plain shaft, and two or three square teeth at the end.
skull with a rose in its teeth A ball for the cranium, a block for the jaw, and the rose stem clamped where the teeth meet.
snake coiled round a dagger Blade upright, snake in three loops with its head facing the point. Scales only where it turns.
snarling panther head Ears flat back, brow low, mouth open. Block in the black shape first, then cut the highlights out of it.
sparrow carrying a sealed letter A small round bird in profile, wings back, with an envelope and its wax seal held in the beak.
storm lantern with a glowing flame A caged glass body, a ring handle on top, and short rays or dots for the glow.
swallow in flight with a forked tail Two swept-back wings, a forked tail and a pale belly. Angle it diving or climbing, never level.
tiger head seen face on Build it symmetrical from a circle. The stripes follow the form of the face and frame the eyes.
two-masted ship in a bottle A bottle on its side with a cork, a tiny two-masted ship inside, and one line of sea under it.

Plants and flowers 29

bunch of forget-me-nots Clusters of tiny five-petalled flowers with a ring at the centre, on thin branching stems.
cherry blossom twig An angular dark twig with clusters of five-petalled flowers, each petal notched at the tip.
dandelion clock losing its seeds A globe of fine spokes on a hollow stem, with a few seeds drifting off to one side.
ear of wheat Grains stacked in a herringbone up the stem, each one carrying a long fine whisker.
eucalyptus stem Round coin-like leaves in pairs up a thin stem, getting smaller towards the tip.
ginkgo leaf A fan with a notch in the middle and fine veins radiating from the stalk.
half-unrolled fern frond A central rib with leaflets that shrink towards a tip still curled in a spiral.
holly sprig with berries Three glossy leaves with spiked, wavy edges and a cluster of round berries where they meet.
lily of the valley One arching stem with a row of small bells hanging from it, set between two broad leaves.
lotus seen from the side Pointed petals in three layers opening from the centre, sitting on one line of water.
magnolia bloom on a bare branch Large cupped petals opening from a furry bud, on a knobbly twig with no leaves.
monstera leaf with split edges A broad heart shape with deep slots cut in from the edge and a few oval holes.
oak leaf with an acorn A lobed leaf with a strong centre vein, and an acorn sitting in its cross-hatched cup.
olive branch with three olives A gently curved twig with narrow paired leaves, and the fruit hanging on the underside.
pair of toadstools of different heights Domed caps with spots, gills showing under the taller one, and stems with a ragged skirt.
pine cone on a short twig An egg shape of overlapping scales that spiral. Draw the spirals first, then the scale tips.
poppy with a bent stem Four crinkled petals like crushed tissue, a dark centre, and a hairy stem with a nodding bud.
pressed pansy Five overlapping petals, the lower three with dark whiskers running out from the centre.
prickly pear in a clay pot Flat oval pads growing from each other's edges, dotted with spines, with a flower on the top pad.
single peony seen from the side A loose ball of ruffled petals, denser in the centre, sitting in a cupped outer ring.
single snowdrop with a bowed head A thin arched stem and one hanging flower with three outer petals.
single stem of a birth month flower Look up the flower for a birth month and draw one stem of it, with a bud and two leaves.
sprig of lavender A long stem with tiny buds stacked in whorls near the top. Two crossing stems look better than one.
sprig of rosemary A woody stem crowded with short needle leaves, all angled upwards, with a few tiny flowers.
sunflower with a drooping head A big seeded disc tipped forward, two rows of petals, and a thick hairy stem.
thistle head A spiky ball under a tuft of fine filaments, with jagged leaves down the stem.
trailing length of ivy A wandering stem with five-pointed leaves alternating side to side, smaller towards the tip.
tulip just beginning to open A cup of three visible petals on a smooth stem, with one long leaf wrapping the base.
wildflower posy tied with string Five or six different stems gathered at one point, a bow, and the cut ends fanning out below.

Animals and insects 29

barn owl flying straight at you A heart-shaped face, wings spread wide and rounded, legs dangling below.
bat hanging upside down Wings wrapped round like a cloak, ears pointing down, feet gripping a line at the top.
beetle with patterned wing cases An oval in three parts, a line down the back, six jointed legs, and any pattern you like.
breaching humpback whale A long body leaving the water on a diagonal, a pleated throat, and one long knobbly flipper out.
bumblebee seen from above A fat striped oval, two pairs of clear veined wings, and six legs tucked in.
cat sitting with its tail round its paws A bell shape from behind or a vase shape from the front, with the tail closing the base.
crane standing on one leg A long S of a neck, a tufted rear, one thin leg straight down and the other folded.
death's-head hawkmoth A stout moth with a pale skull-like mark on its back, a striped body and dark mottled wings.
dragonfly with veined wings A long segmented tail, a big-eyed head, and four narrow wings filled with a net of veins.
elephant with its trunk raised Big fan ears, a domed head, and the trunk in an S above it. Wrinkles only at the joints.
fox asleep with its nose under its tail One closed ring: the back is the outside curve, the brush covers the face, one ear pokes out.
garden snail on a blade of grass A spiral shell riding a soft body, two long stalks and two short, bending the grass under it.
gecko seen from above A flat body in an S, four splayed feet with round toe pads, and the tail curling away.
goldfish with a fan tail A round body, a bulging eye, and a tail twice the body's size drawn as flowing ribbons.
hare in mid-leap Body stretched long, ears laid back, hind legs kicked out behind.
head-and-shoulders portrait of a pet Your own animal from a photo. Get the ear shape and the eye spacing right and the rest follows.
howling wolf head In profile, muzzle up, ears back, with the ruff of fur at the neck in jagged clumps.
hummingbird at a flower A tiny body held upright, a long needle bill, and wings blurred into a fan.
jellyfish with trailing tentacles A bell like an umbrella, frilly arms in the centre, and long thin threads drifting to one side.
koi swimming in a curve An S-curved body seen from above, fins flared, with scales drawn only along the back.
ladybird with seven spots A dome split down the middle: three spots on each wing case and one shared at the top.
moth with open wings A furry body, feathered antennae, and two pairs of wings with an eye spot on each.
octopus with its arms in spirals A soft domed head and eight tapering arms that curl. Show suckers on the near arms only.
rabbit sitting upright with its ears up A pear-shaped body, front paws tucked to the chest, and ears as long as the head.
raven on a branch A heavy bill, shaggy throat feathers and a wedge tail. Solid black with a few cut highlights.
sea turtle seen from above A teardrop shell of plates, four flippers like oars, and a small head stretched forward.
seahorse with a curled tail A horse-like head, a ridged belly, a small back fin and a tail wound into a spiral.
stag head with full antlers Face on and symmetrical. The antlers branch like a tree and take more room than the head.
whippet curled in a circle A thin dog folded into a ring, long nose resting on its back feet, ribs faintly showing.

Objects and keepsakes 29

anatomical heart Not a valentine: a fist-shaped muscle, tilted, with the large vessels branching from the top.
bicycle with a basket Two circles with a diamond frame between them. Get the frame right and the rest is detail.
cassette tape with a handwritten label A rounded rectangle, two toothed hubs behind a window, and a label strip with a scrawled title.
chess knight in profile A horse's head on a round base, the mane in a few cuts, seen in strict profile.
corked bottle with a rolled message inside A corked bottle on its side with a rolled paper inside, tied with string.
crossed paintbrush and pencil Two tools crossed in an X. Brush hairs come to a point, and the pencil has a faceted end.
folded paper boat A folded hat shape with a triangle standing in the middle, sitting on two lines of ripple.
front door of a childhood home Only the door: panels, a number, a letterbox, a step. Draw it from a photo if you can.
fully extended brass telescope Three tubes sliding out of each other, a band at each joint, angled up towards the sky.
hot air balloon with a tiny basket An upturned teardrop in vertical panels, ropes converging, and a small basket.
instant photo with a white border A square picture in a frame that is deeper at the bottom, tilted, with a tiny scene inside.
kite on a long string A diamond with a cross inside, a tail of bows, and a string that loops once on its way down.
lightbulb with a glowing filament A pear of glass on a screw base, a looped wire inside, and short rays around it.
lit matchstick A thin stick with a rounded head, and a flame twice the head's height leaning with the draught.
old film camera A box, a round lens in rings, a winder and a viewfinder bump. Keep the corners rounded.
old stage microphone A rounded cage with horizontal bars on a short stand, and a cable trailing off in a loop.
open book with pages lifting Two curved page blocks meeting in a valley, with a few pages fanning up from the middle.
pair of open tailor's shears Two blades crossing at a screw, one large handle loop and one small.
pair of worn ballet shoes Two soft slippers, one lying across the other, with ribbons trailing and crossing.
paper aeroplane with a dotted trail A folded dart seen from below and behind, and a looping dotted line to show where it has been.
pocket watch on a chain A circle within a circle, a crown and ring on top, and a chain falling in a loop.
roller skate with trailing laces A high boot on four fat wheels, a toe stop at the front, and the laces left undone.
sealed envelope with a heart on the wax A rectangle with the flap drawn as a V, and a round blob of wax pressed with a small heart.
sewing needle and thread A long needle on the diagonal, with thread looping through the eye and wandering off into a heart.
stovetop coffee pot Two eight-sided cones joined at a waist, a hinged lid with a knob, and an angular handle.
teacup with rising steam A cup and saucer in side view, and steam drawn as two or three lazy S-curves.
typewriter with a sheet of paper in it A wedge body, rows of round keys, and a roller on top with the paper curling out.
vinyl record Circles inside circles, a label in the middle, and two wedges of shine.
violin seen from the front An hourglass body, two f-shaped holes, four strings over a bridge, and a scroll at the top.

Sky, sea and landscape 26

cabin in the woods A small gabled house with a smoking chimney, and trees taller than the roof on both sides.
campfire with sparks Crossed logs, three tongues of flame at different heights, and a few sparks above.
coastline of a place you love Trace a real island, lake or stretch of coast from a map and reduce it to one clean outline.
comet with a long tail A bright head and a tail of long lines that fan out and fade.
constellation of a star sign Look up the real pattern, plot the stars as dots of different sizes, and join them with fine lines.
crescent moon with a sleeping face A thick crescent in profile: brow, closed eye, nose and lips along the inside curve.
desert with a tall cactus and a low sun One line of dunes, a cactus with two raised arms, and a big circle sitting on the horizon.
full moon behind bare branches A plain circle, with dark twigs crossing in front of it and thinning towards their tips.
iceberg shown above and below the waterline A small peak over a line and a much larger mass under it. Facet both with straight strokes.
island with one palm tree A low mound, a curved trunk, five or six fronds, and two lines of water.
mountain range inside a circle Three overlapping peaks with snow lines on the lit side, all cropped by a clean round border.
phases of the moon in a row Five or seven circles in a line, from thin crescent to full and back. A coin keeps them equal.
rainbow between two clouds Concentric arcs, kept as clean lines, with each end disappearing into a small cloud.
ringed planet with two small moons A banded ball, a flat ellipse that passes behind at the top and in front below, and two dots nearby.
single pine tree A straight trunk with drooping tiers of branches, wider towards the ground, uneven on purpose.
skyline of your home town Only the five or six shapes a local would recognise, in a row, as one flat silhouette.
small cloud with a lightning bolt A cloud built from five or six bumps, and one zigzag that narrows to a point.
small sailboat with its reflection A hull, a mast and two triangular sails, then the same shapes below in broken wavy lines.
snowflake with six matching arms Draw one arm with its side branches, then repeat it every sixty degrees.
sun with a calm face A circle with a sleepy face, and rays that alternate straight and wavy.
sunrise over a flat sea A half circle on the horizon, rays as plain lines, and broken dashes for the reflection.
tent under the stars A triangle with a flap folded back, guy lines to the ground, and dots of different sizes overhead.
tiny solar system A sun and a few planets on thin elliptical orbits, their sizes exaggerated so each one reads.
volcano with a plume of smoke A cone with its top cut off, streaks down the sides, and smoke that leans with the wind.
wave about to break A rising curve that curls over at the top, fingers of foam, and lines that follow the water.
winding road to the horizon Two lines that start wide apart and meet at a point, with an S-bend on the way.

Myth and make-believe 28

cauldron bubbling over A round pot on three stubby feet, a rim, and bubbles spilling over one side.
crooked tower with a pointed roof A tall thin tower that leans twice on its way up, one lit window, and a roof like a hat.
crystal ball on a stand A circle with a curved highlight, swirls of mist inside, and a small footed base.
dragon asleep on a pile of coins A heap of small ovals and the dragon draped over it like a cat, with one eye half open.
dragon curled round its own tail A long body in a loose knot, a row of back spines, small wings folded, head resting on a coil.
fairy ring of toadstools A circle of small toadstools seen at an angle, so the ring becomes an ellipse.
fortune card of your own invention A tall bordered card with a number at the top, a title at the bottom, and one figure between.
frog wearing a small crown A squat frog seen from the front, wide mouth, with a tiny crown tilted over one eye.
garden gnome with a fishing rod A cone hat, a round nose over a triangle of beard, and a rod held out over nothing.
gargoyle perched on a ledge Crouched with knees up, wings folded, chin in hands, staring down past the edge.
haunted house on a hill A tall narrow house with a crooked roof line, one lit window, and a bare tree beside it.
heart-shaped potion bottle A heart of glass with a short neck and a cork, half full, with a few bubbles rising.
jackalope sitting upright A hare sitting upright with a small pair of antlers. Play it straight, like a natural history plate.
knight's helmet with a plume A rounded helm with a slotted visor, rivets along the seams, and a feather sweeping back.
mermaid tail slipping into a wave Only the tail: scales that shrink towards a wide split fin, with water closing round the top.
pair of feathered wings Mirror images of each other: short feathers at the shoulder, the longest at the tips.
phoenix rising Wings up, head turned, and tail feathers flowing down in long flame-like ribbons.
rearing winged horse Front legs tucked up, neck arched, and feathered wings opening from the shoulders.
sea serpent looping through waves Three humps above the water line and a head at one end, with the same scales on each hump.
seated griffin An eagle's head, wings and front claws on a lion's body and tail. Sit it upright like a statue.
small sheet ghost carrying a lantern An upside-down U with a wavy hem and two oval eyes, one stubby arm holding the light.
snake eating its own tail Draw the circle first, then give it thickness, scales, and a head closing on the tail tip.
sun and moon sharing one face A circle split down the middle: rays on one side, a crescent profile on the other.
sword sunk into a boulder A plain cross-hilted sword sunk a third of the way into a rough boulder, with a little moss.
three-headed guard dog One broad chest and three necks. Give each head a different mood: alert, asleep, growling.
treasure map with a dotted route A scroll with torn edges, a coastline, a dotted line that wanders, and a cross at the end.
unicorn head in profile A horse's head with a flowing mane and a straight spiral horn rising from the forehead.
witch's hat with a buckle A tall cone with a bent tip, a wide wavy brim, and a band with a square buckle.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Checked 2026-09-18 against https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_school_(tattoo): swallow, heart, anchor, eagle, panther, snake, dagger, rose, nautical star, horseshoe, black cat, four-leaf clover, ship and skull are named there as old school motifs. The other subjects in that group are our own choices in the same spirit, and no source is claimed for them. What flash is was checked the same day against https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flash_(tattoo). Licence: own work

Style: all 28 styles

Line-led styles 14

art nouveau Long whiplash curves, flowing plants and hair, and a decorative border that is part of the design.
continuous line One line that never lifts from start to finish. Let it loop back on itself to cross the shape.
engraving-style Fine parallel lines that curve around the form and cross each other where it gets darker.

Show all 28 styles (25 more)

Line-led styles, continued

fine line Thin, even outlines and very little shading. Use your finest pen and leave plenty of air.
geometric Build the subject from straight lines, circles and repeated angles. A ruler and a compass are fair.
illustrative It should look drawn, not printed: visible pen lines, hatching for shadow, a storybook feel.
minimalist The fewest lines that still read as the subject. Then remove one more.
neo-traditional Bold outlines in two or three weights, with richer colour and more decorative detail than traditional.
new school Heavy outlines, vivid colour and exaggerated proportions, close to cartooning and graffiti.
ornamental Symmetry, repeated motifs, beads and filigree. Fold the paper down the middle to check both halves.
sketch-style Keep the construction lines, overshoot the corners and let some strokes stay loose.
specimen plate Drawn like a page from a field guide: precise, side-on, evenly lit, with a thin label line.
traditional Bold black outlines, a few flat colours and solid black shading. Simplify until it reads from across a room.
woodcut-style Thick outlines, with carved-looking parallel lines for shadow, as in an old printed book.

Shape, tone and colour styles 14

art deco Stepped shapes, sunbursts and strict symmetry, drawn with a ruler.
black and grey No colour. Smooth shading from black through soft greys to bare paper. Pencil suits it.
blackwork Black ink only, in large solid areas. Plan the black shapes first and let bare paper be the light.
brushstroke Made from a few loaded brush marks with dry, broken edges. Decide the strokes before you make them.
dotwork All the shading is built from dots, packed closer together where it is darker. Slow and forgiving.
embroidered patch Draw it as a stitched badge: a thick border, and short parallel stitches filling each area.
linocut-style Chunky shapes in two tones, with rough gouge marks left showing in the light areas.
negative space Fill the background with black or pattern and leave the subject itself as untouched paper.
pixel Drawn on a grid of squares, like an old video game sprite. Squared paper helps.
realistic Shade from a photo reference with no outlines at all. An edge is one tone meeting another.
silhouette A solid filled shape with no inner detail. The outline has to tell the whole story.
stained glass Thick dark lines dividing the subject into flat panes of colour, as the leading in a window does.
sticker-style A fat white border round the whole design and a small drop shadow, as if peeled and stuck on.
watercolour-style Soft washes and splashes of colour with few or no outlines. Paint it, do not ink it.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Style names are common trade terms and are described here only as directions for drawing. The traditional and new school descriptions were checked 2026-09-18 against https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_school_(tattoo) and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_school_(tattoo); dot shading against https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stippling. No source check is claimed for the other style names. Licence: own work

Size: all 12 sizes

Small 5

as wide as a watch face A small circle. Designs inside a round border suit it: a landscape, a moon, a wave.
coin-sized Room for a silhouette and two or three inner lines. Draw it large, then reduce it to check it still reads.
in a strip one finger wide A long narrow strip. Repeat one small element, or stretch the subject into a frieze. On a limb it can wrap.

Show all 12 sizes (9 more)

Small, continued

postage-stamp-sized A tiny upright rectangle. One subject, no background, no lettering.
thumbprint-sized About the size of the pad of your thumb. Treat it as an icon, not a picture.

Medium 5

the length of a finger Long and thin. Good for stems, arrows, feathers and single lines of script.
matchbox-sized Small but not tiny. A subject and one add-on fit if both are kept simple.
palm-sized Enough room for real detail: feathers, scales, petals with veins.
playing-card-sized Taller than wide. Room for a subject, an add-on and some shading.
the size of a jam-jar lid A circle about as wide as three fingers. Round compositions suit it, with the subject touching the edge.

Large 2

coaster-sized A square a little wider than your palm. Think about a frame or a background shape to hold it together.
hand-sized From wrist to fingertip, the largest here. It needs one clear focal point and quieter areas around it.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Licence: own work

Placement: all 20 placements

Arm and shoulder 6

the back of the arm above the elbow A small upright panel seen from behind. Symmetrical designs sit well on it.
the forearm just above the wrist A narrow panel that starts at the wrist crease and runs up the arm. Small designs sit low, taller ones climb.
the inner forearm A long upright panel, a little wider at the elbow. Tall designs suit it: stems, daggers, feathers.

Show all 20 placements (17 more)

Arm and shoulder, continued

the outer forearm A long panel that curves away at both edges, so keep the important part down the middle.
the shoulder cap A dome. Round designs, and ones that radiate from a centre, follow the form.
the upper arm A rounded upright oval. It suits one bold subject with a clear outline.

Back and torso 6

the collarbone A long, shallow, slightly sloping line. Sprigs, birds in a row and lettering follow it.
the hip A curved area where a design can sweep in an arc. Leave one edge open so it trails off.
the ribs A tall panel that curves round the side of the body. Flowing upright designs suit it.
the shoulder blade A flat, roughly triangular area. It can take a wide design, such as a pair of open wings.
the spine A very tall, very narrow strip. Stack small elements: moon phases, a stem, a line of script.
the upper back between the shoulder blades A broad flat panel on the body's centre line, so symmetrical designs look at home.

Leg and foot 6

the calf An upright teardrop, fullest about a third of the way down. One bold subject works best.
the front of the thigh The largest flat panel on this list. There is room for a detailed piece with a frame.
just above the knee A wide, shallow arc. Designs broader than they are tall fit the curve: wings, a garland, a sunrise.
the lower leg just above the ankle A slim area round a knob of bone. Tiny designs sit beside it, and a strip can wrap above it.
the shin A long, flat, narrow front panel. Tall designs again, with a strong centre line.
the top of the foot A wedge that widens towards the toes. Fan-shaped designs fill it.

Paper only 2

a flash sheet beside five other designs No body in mind. Draw it square-on with the others, leaving breathing room between them.
a single framed sheet for a wall Treat it as a small painting in flash style: centred, with even margins and a signature.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Each note describes the shape of the area for composing a sketch, and nothing else. Licence: own work

Add-on: all 56 add-ons

Words and dates 13

a banner for one word A ribbon with a fold at each end. Keep the word short so the letters can be tall.
a blank scroll underneath Leave it empty for now. The curl at each end matters more than whatever goes in it.
a date in Roman numerals Work the numerals out on scrap paper first, and check them twice.

Show all 56 add-ons (53 more)

Words and dates, continued

a pair of initials joined by a small heart Two letters the same height, with the heart no bigger than either.
a ribbon with a three-word motto A longer banner with two folds. Put one word on each flat section.
a set of map coordinates underneath Two short rows of small, evenly spaced numbers. Look the real ones up.
a short bar of music Five thin lines and a handful of notes. Copy a real phrase so that it plays.
a short line of handwriting underneath Copy real handwriting if you have some. The wobble is the point.
a single initial One capital letter, in a style that matches the linework. Tuck it in, do not centre it.
a small clock face set to a time that matters A circle, twelve ticks and two hands. Roman numerals if there is room.
a word hidden in the linework Let a stem, a string or a trail of smoke turn into joined-up letters and back again.
a word in small capitals along one edge Let the letters follow the outline of the subject like a caption on a curve.
a year split in two on either side Two digits on the left and two on the right, sitting level with the middle of the design.

Frames and backgrounds 18

a border of rope A twisted cord drawn as a chain of slanted S shapes, tied off in a knot at the bottom.
a checkerboard background A small panel of alternating squares behind the subject, fading out at the edges.
a circular frame it breaks out of A clean ring behind the subject, with a wing, a petal or a tail crossing over the line.
a cloud behind it A flat-bottomed cloud of five or six bumps, left unshaded so the subject stays in front.
a diamond-shaped frame A square turned on its corner. Let the subject overlap one edge so it does not feel boxed in.
a drop shadow made of dots Offset the subject's outline down and to one side, and fill the gap with stippled dots.
a keyhole shape around it A circle on top of a flared wedge, with the subject seen through it.
a line of mountains behind it One jagged horizon line, kept thinner and paler than the subject.
a mirror image of itself below Repeat the subject upside down beneath a thin line, as if reflected in still water.
a perforated edge like a postage stamp A rectangle with a scalloped border, and a tiny value in one corner.
a plain triangle behind it One thin outlined triangle, point up or point down, sitting behind the subject.
a playing-card border and a suit in each corner A rounded rectangle, the subject in the middle, and a small suit symbol top left and bottom right.
a splash of one colour behind it A loose, uneven patch of a single colour that ignores the outlines.
a sun rising behind it A half circle and a fan of straight rays, all behind the subject and cropped by it.
a sunburst of straight lines Rays of two alternating lengths, starting a small gap away from the subject.
a wave underneath A single curling wave, or three short ripple lines, to give the subject something to sit on.
a wreath of leaves around it Two curved sprigs that start together at the bottom and almost meet at the top.
an oval cameo frame An upright oval with a beaded or rope edge, like an old locket.

Small extras 25

a bee paying a visit A tiny striped oval with two loop wings, and a dotted line for the way it came.
a butterfly landing on it Wings half closed, seen from the side, touching the subject at one point.
a crescent moon above A thin crescent floating just clear of the subject, tilted like a bowl.
a crown above it A band with three or five points and a dot on each, floating a little above the subject.
a few drifting bubbles Three or four circles of different sizes, each with a small curved highlight.
a few falling petals Three or four loose petals below the subject, each turned a different way.
a lightning bolt on either side Two small mirrored zigzags, angled away from the subject.
a pair of crossed branches underneath Two short leafy twigs crossing in a shallow X below the subject.
a pair of small wings One on each side, three rows of feathers, no wider than the subject itself.
a paw print beside it One large pad and four small ones, no bigger than a fingertip.
a ribbon tied in a bow Two loops, a knot and two tails with a V cut in each end.
a ring of short rays Small dashes all the way round, evenly spaced, like a child's drawing of the sun.
a row of three dots above and below Three dots, large, medium, small, leading away from the design at each end.
a scatter of tiny stars A few four-pointed sparkles and some plain dots, denser on one side than the other.
a small flame A teardrop with a smaller teardrop inside, leaning slightly to one side.
a small ringed planet nearby A circle the size of a pea with one flat ring, off to one upper corner.
a spot of red as the only colour Everything else in black. Choose the one thing the eye should go to and colour only that.
a sprig of leaves on each side Two matching sprigs curving away from the subject like a pair of brackets.
a swag of beads A drooping string of small circles hung from two points, with one larger drop in the middle.
a tiny heart hidden somewhere Small enough that a viewer finds it second. In a pattern, a knot or a shadow.
a trail of smoke One ribbon of smoke rising in an S, splitting once, and fading to dots.
an arrow through it A straight shaft behind the subject, a plain head on one side and feathers on the other.
dots and sparkles around the edge Groups of three dots in a row, with the odd plus-shaped sparkle between them.
nothing at all and plenty of space around it Leave it alone. A clean margin is an add-on too, and the hardest one to keep.
three small flowers tucked behind Simple five-petal blooms at different angles, peeking out from one side of the subject.

How this list was compiled: Original list written for Draw This Next, September 2026. Licence: own work

How it works

This tattoo prompt generator deals a five-part brief for a sketch: a subject, a style, a size, a placement and an add-on such as a banner, flowers or a date. Lock the parts you like and reroll the rest. The prompts are text ideas for drawing flash on paper, with no images, and all five lists are printed in full below.

Read the full guide

Read each prompt as a client's brief

A prompt reads like a note left at the desk: An anchor wrapped in rope as a dotwork design, palm-sized, to fit the outer forearm, with a date in Roman numerals. Lock a style you want to practise and let the subject change around it, or lock a subject and redraw it in fine line, blackwork and traditional. Every word has a short drawing note in the printed lists below.

Let size and placement set the outline

Size decides how much detail survives. Coin-sized leaves room for a silhouette and two or three inner lines, while palm-sized can carry feathers, scales and petals with veins. Placement decides the shape you have to fill. The inner forearm is a tall narrow panel, the shoulder cap is a dome and the collarbone is a long shallow line. Before you start, rule a box in those proportions and make the design touch its edges. If you only want tattoo sketch drawing ideas for paper, press until the placement reads a flash sheet beside five other designs.

Build a sheet of flash from six prompts

Flash is a ready-made design, traditionally drawn or painted on paper and shown on tattoo shop walls or in binders. It can also be the starting point for custom work. To make your own sheet, lock the style and the size, press New tattoo idea six times and compose the six subjects together. Ink the final outlines on a separate sheet: printed flash often comes with its line drawing on a sheet of its own. Print 30 ideas gives a month of sketches, and locked parts stay locked on every line.

For drawing ideas tattoo artists would recognise at once, press until an old school motif turns up: a swallow, an anchor, a rose, a dagger, a panther or a horseshoe.
Draw the design at twice the size in the prompt, then look at it from across the room. If it still reads, the outline is strong enough.
Traditional is a friendly style to begin with: bold black outlines, a few flat colours and solid black shading.
Set the timer to ten minutes for thumbnails. Three rough versions of one prompt teach more than one careful version.
Treat the add-on as optional. A banner or a date in Roman numerals should earn its place, and nothing at all is on the list for a reason.

Questions and answers

What does a tattoo prompt include?

Five parts, each from its own list: 170 subjects, 28 styles, 12 sizes, 20 placements and 56 add-ons. They multiply to 63,974,400 possible briefs. Within a visit each list is dealt like a shuffled deck, so a word only comes back once its whole list has been used.

Does it make tattoo images?

No. It gives text ideas only, for sketching flash yourself. Every word comes from a fixed list, and the page only shuffles and joins them. No real person, brand or existing character appears in any list.

Can I take a sketch from this page to a tattoo artist?

As a starting point, yes. Many studios work to custom designs, so expect the artist to redraw your idea in their own hand. Treat your sketch as a way of showing what you like, and leave decisions about placement, size and care to the person doing the work. Nothing on this page is professional advice.

Which styles are left out, and why?

The style list keeps to common trade terms that describe how a drawing is made: fine line, traditional, blackwork, dotwork and two dozen more. It leaves out styles that belong to a particular culture or carry sacred meaning, because a random prompt is the wrong way to arrive at those. It also never asks you to copy the manner of a named artist.

Is it any use if I never want a tattoo?

Yes. Flash is a good drawing exercise on its own terms: one subject, a strong outline, a limited palette and nothing wasted. The same briefs suit stickers, patches, lino prints and enamel pins. For a scene with an action in it, use the art prompt generator, and for single subjects try the line art ideas.