A friend who often visits Barcelona has commissioned me to design a patchwork tattoo – and since these small, individual stamp-sized tattoo designs are all the rage, I thought I’d share them with you too.

These aren’t your average off-the-wall flash sheets – they’re the kind of drawings I do in my sketchbook. Each design is a tiny artwork in its own right, drawn with my trusty fountain pen, which gives them that lovely vintage line quality. Add in a splashy watercolour brush mark background, and you’ve got something a little more unusual to take to your tattoo artist.

So, if you’re after something quick and unique to ink – here’s a bunch patchwork tattoo designs to choose from.

How it works

I’m not doing the tattooing myself – I’m creating designs for you to take to your own tattooist. You can browse my designs, pick what resonates most with you and bring it along to your tattoo appointment. If you are able to and are feeling appreciative of my artwork, then click the link to Buy Me A Coffee

Illustration style

If you are looking for something in particular that you want me to draw, go ahead and commission me.

Botanicals

Sometimes you want to mark an occasion in your life and need something individual – you just want something simple, stylish and symbolic. These plants are drawn from the plants I grow on my roof terrace.

Marine life

Doodle style

These sketches are simple, easy on the eye and spark the imagination!

Abstracts and graphics

You can make up your own interpretation about what these doodles mean to you.

Plants

Trees, leaves and flowers drawn in a fast carefree style. My patchwork tattoo designs are arty, with a mix of a bold brush mark and fluid line, so they stand out while still being cute.

Monstera leaf tattoo designs

Choosing this designs acknowledges you being connected to nature and plants. Lush expansive leaves are linked with abundance but also the fenestrations (allowing the wind to pass through) are about being adaptable. There are lots of monstera leaf designs out there but here I’ve draw them with my personal quirk!

Figurative

Human like forms and body parts. They’re quick for tattooists to stencil and they’re personal.

Animal

A loose line is turned into a creature… of sorts!

Architecture

Inspired by the parties and events I’ve put on and attended in old factories.

Birds

Scribbles and lines that just easily lent themselves to becoming this array of exotic birds.

Bird tattoo designs

These whimsical bird tattoos represent freedom because birds are free to fly and migrate unbothered by manmade country borders.

Vintage sketchbook doodles

This is a selection of drawings lifted from my old sketch books, from the turn of last century, when I was in my late twenties and early thirties. I’ve used these little ditties in my vjing over the years, I used to project images like these when I worked at Fabric in London. I thought they would also make interesting patchwork tattoos!

Buy me a coffee

What makes them special?

I splash a bit of watercolour, then I draw a design on top all with a fountain pen (yes, old-school nib and ink), so they’ve got that vintage, hand-done feel. No soulless computer lines here – just wobbly-on-purpose, characterful ink marks. Think: elegance meets playfulness, with a splash of painter’s mess.

It’s not just body art – it’s wearable drawing, a small piece of my art studio to carry with you.

Why?

Because not every tattoo has to be epic or serious. Sometimes you just want a small piece of body art that makes you smile every time you catch it in the mirror. And honestly, I love the idea of my fountain-pen doodles bringing people happiness.

If you do get one inked, send me a photo. I want to see where my little drawings end up – your skin becomes part of the artwork too!