Red Lightsaber Tattoo by Chyloe

The piece

This red lightsaber tattoo was done by Chyloe at Golden Tarot Ink Club in Winter Park, near Orlando. The blade glows red with a dark crossguard hilt, running clean down the lower leg. It is a fan piece, and it works because it keeps things simple and lets the color do the talking.

Bright red is one of the trickier colors to pull off. It has to sit saturated and even to read as a glowing blade, with no patchy spots along its length. Chyloe packed the color solid and kept the edges of the beam sharp, so the saber looks like it is actually lit rather than just outlined in red.

Libby's review points at something worth noting. Her favorite work of Chyloe's is when he has creative freedom, and a clean pop culture piece like this is a good example of trusting your artist with the details.

How well does red ink hold up in a tattoo?

Modern red pigments hold up well when they are packed properly and cared for during healing. The main enemy of any bright color is the sun, so sunscreen once it is healed keeps a red blade looking vivid for years. Keeping the piece clean and moisturized while it heals protects that saturation from the start.

Solid color panels like this can take a little extra time in the chair because the ink has to go in evenly. That patience is what separates a saber that glows from one that looks flat. If you have a fandom piece in mind, bring your reference and let Chyloe put his spin on it. There is more of his color and custom work on the tattoos by Chyloe page.

Fan pieces get a bad rap sometimes, but a clean, well executed pop culture tattoo is just as valid as anything else, and it usually means a lot to the person wearing it. The trick is committing to the design and letting the artist handle the technical side, especially with a saturated color like this.

The lower leg is a solid spot for a long, straight piece like a blade. It gives the design length to run vertically, it heals well, and it is easy to show off in shorts. Expect a little sensitivity over the shin, but nothing most people cannot sit through in one session.

Booking a custom tattoo near Orlando

Golden Tarot Ink Club sits at 3784 Howell Branch Rd in Winter Park, close to Orlando, Maitland, and Casselberry. Custom pieces run by appointment, and smaller walk-ins are welcome when a chair is open. Send your idea through our contact page and we will point you to the right artist.