Black and Grey Dragon and Chrysanthemum Sleeve

Jack travelled up from Dunedin to get this sleeve done, and I'm really happy with how it turned out. It's a Japanese dragon and chrysanthemum full arm sleeve in black and grey, running from the wrist up to a chest panel.

The dragon's long body wraps the arm and moves with it, so the piece looks different from every angle. The chrysanthemums balance it out. Where the dragon is all power and detail, the flowers bring softness and rhythm, and the big bloom on the chest ties the sleeve back to the body.

A Japanese sleeve doesn't need a complicated main subject. Sometimes people think they need a crowded scene with lots going on, but a well executed sleeve with just one or two elements is perfect. Here it's a dragon and a flower. The impact comes from how they're placed and how they flow together, and from the background, shading and solid black that pull everything into one piece.

Working in black and grey lets the shading do the talking. Smooth gradients fade from solid black into lighter tones, giving the waves, clouds and scales their depth. The background flow holds it all together and lets the sleeve finish cleanly at the wrist.

Jack came a long way for this, and I don't take that lightly. Thanks Jack, it was a pleasure!

Thinking about a Japanese sleeve of your own? Whether you've got a clear idea or just one element you love, get in touch with me and book a consultation, and we'll work through the design together,