Unlike styles with strict rules, illustrative tattooing gives you more freedom. It can be delicate and feminine, dark and cinematic, colourful and bold, or detailed and realistic.

At Eleven Pillars Tattoo Studio in Oakleigh, we create custom illustrative tattoos tailored to you. We are located at 19a Portman Street, Oakleigh, just minutes from Chadstone Shopping Centre, Malvern East, Carnegie, Bentleigh and Clayton.

Tattoo by Hayley

What Is an Illustrative Tattoo?

An illustrative tattoo is a tattoo that looks like it has been drawn by hand. It can include fine line, dot work, shading, black and grey, colour, realism, ornamental details or graphic elements.

This style is perfect if you want a tattoo that feels artistic, personal and custom.

Fine Line Illustrative Tattoos

Soft, delicate and detailed. Great for florals, butterflies, feminine figures, ornamental details, animals and small custom pieces.

Tattoo by Hayley

Dark Illustrative Tattoos

Moodier, bolder and more atmospheric. Perfect for horror references, gothic florals, skulls, bats, snakes, creatures and spooky custom designs.

Tattoo by Hayley

Botanical and Nature Illustrative Tattoos

Ideal for flowers, leaves, vines, mushrooms, moths, birds, insects, snakes and animals. This style can be soft, symbolic or bold.

Tattoo by Toni

Pop Culture and Anime-Inspired Illustrative Tattoos

For clients who want their favourite characters, films, games, anime or nostalgic references turned into custom tattoo designs.

Tattoo by Luke

Symbolic Illustrative Tattoos

Built around meaning. Great for memorial pieces, personal objects, celestial designs, tarot-inspired work, mythology and story-based tattoos.

Tattoo by Toni

Why Choose an Illustrative Tattoo?

Illustrative tattoos are popular because they give you room to create something unique to you.

They work well for:

• Delicate floral tattoos
• Feminine fine line pieces
• Dark gothic or horror-inspired designs
• Anime and pop culture tattoos
• Animal tattoos
• Mythology-inspired pieces
• Portraits and surreal concepts
• Symbolic custom designs

The best part is that the design can be built around your story, placement and style preference.

Tattoo by Hayley

Which Artist Is Best for Illustrative Tattoos?

Illustrative tattoos can be approached in different ways depending on the size, detail, placement and budget. At Eleven Pillars, we offer different experience levels while still maintaining a high standard of work across the studio.

For this style, we would usually recommend apprentice artist Cristian, junior artist Luke, or senior artists Toni and Hayley.

If you are nervous, we can help guide you with placement, size and artist choice. Our studio is professional, welcoming and safe. 

How to Book

You can request a quote here. Things to include in your request are any inspiration images, placement ideas and approximate size. One of our friendly team members will send you a text message with a quote and/or any follow up questions. We never pester you with calls!

Our pricing includes the deposit, custom design, the tattoo and a free touch-up session if required.

Eleven Pillars Tattoo Studio is a custom tattoo studio in Oakleigh, close to Chadstone Shopping Centre and only around 30 minutes from Melbourne CBD.

Parking is easy too. There is 2-hour street parking in Oakleigh, free parking at Oakleigh train station about a 1-minute walk away, and paid all-day parking at Oakleigh Central.

If you are looking for a Illustrative tattoo artist in Melbourne in a safe, professional tattoo studio near Chadstone, send us your idea and we will help match you with the right artist.

Request a quote to start your tattoo journey today!

Eleven Pillars Tattoo Studio

19a Portman Street, Oakleigh

Tattoos tailored to you