Spider tattoos have been a staple of tattoo culture for as long as tattoo culture has existed. The legs of a spider can work well with the flow of the body if you draw them right, which can make them a good element to include in larger pieces.
In this article, we’ll be looking at:
Why Spider Tattoos Are So Popular
Spiders can fit behind the ear or anchor an entire sleeve. And the natural structure of the spider gives you built-in symmetry and movement to work with, which is super helpful when you're drawing.
In a lot of traditions, the spider represents creativity, patience, and fate. Because they weave webs, they’re sometimes seen a weaver of its own destiny. On the other hand, it can be a sign of danger and protection, which makes it a natural fit for something that feels a little darker.
For artists, they’re a good exercise for linework and fitting shading into small areas.Spider Tattoo Stencil Designs
Here's a breakdown of spider tattoo stencil designs to get your ideas moving.
Traditional Spider Tattoo Stencil
Simple Spider Tattoo Stencil
3D Spider Tattoo Stencil
Black Widow Spider Tattoo Stencil
Spider Web Tattoo Stencil
Tarantula Spider Tattoo Stencil
Fine Line Spider Tattoo Stencil
Geometric Spider Tattoo Stencil
Skull and Spider Tattoo Stencil
Minimalist Spider Tattoo Stencil
Mash-Up Tattoos
One way to make your spider tattoo design more unique is to replace the body with another object and create a “mash up.” Popular swaps include things like flowers, skulls, or eyeballs.
Choosing Your Spider Tattoo Placement
One of the reasons spider tattoos are so easy to recommend is that they fit just about anywhere. The spider's compact body and radiating legs let it sit comfortably in tight spaces or stretch across larger areas.
The hand is a classic placement - particularly the back of the hand or knuckle area.
The neck and stomach are popular for 3D designs to make it look like a spider’s actually walking on you.
For larger, more detailed stencils, the back, chest, and thigh give you the canvas to bring out all the shading and detail the design calls for.
Just make sure you've got enough real estate for the detail to hold up as the tattoo ages. Cramming a complex design and a spider with 8 legs too close together will blend together as the tattoo ages and make it hard to read. Leave enough space between the legs so that it stays clean.
Become a Tattoo Artist With the Artist Accelerator Program
Having a career in tattooing is not only fulfilling, but it’s also the most stable way to make a living as an artist. However, for decades, the process to become a tattoo artist has been notoriously difficult.
The apprenticeship process requires aspiring tattoo artists to work 50-60 hours a week without pay for 2-4 years. That, combined with the toxic culture of abusing apprentices, makes getting into the industry almost impossible for newcomers.
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