Jacob Gardner

The Neotraditional Style

Neotraditional tattooing grew out of American traditional, also called old school or sailor tattooing, but it loosened the rules. Where traditional sticks to a limited palette and strict line weight, neotraditional opens the door to broader color ranges, more detailed shading, and a wider variety of subject matter. The bones stay the same: bold black outlines that hold up over time, saturated fills, and readable designs from across the room. The difference is in the depth. Neotraditional artists layer gradients, use decorative elements like filigree and floral framing, and push compositions further than traditional constraints allow. The style draws heavy influence from early 20th century illustration, Japanese woodblock prints, and Art Nouveau ornamentation. It sits somewhere between the graphic simplicity of old school and the painterly detail of realism. That middle ground is exactly why it has exploded in popularity. People want tattoos that look bold and readable but also feel detailed and personal. Neotraditional delivers both.

Jacob Gardner's Signature Approach

Jacob Gardner's work sits firmly in the neotraditional camp, and his Instagram portfolio shows a clear preference for high-contrast, color-saturated designs. His pieces feature strong black line work as the structural backbone, with vibrant fills that give each tattoo a punchy, illustrative quality. The compositions often use decorative framing, whether that is floral elements, banner scrolls, or geometric patterns that tie the subject matter together. What makes Gardner's approach stand out is the consistency of his color choices. Neotraditional can sometimes drift toward muddy or overworked color, but his pieces maintain clean saturation and distinct value separation. The highlights pop, the shadows hold, and the midtones stay rich. With over 100,000 followers, his work clearly resonates with collectors who want bold, readable tattoos that still carry illustrative depth. His Gold Coast base puts him in one of Australia's most active tattoo scenes, where the climate and beach culture naturally favor visible, colorful work.

Popular Motifs & Subject Matter

Neotraditional tattooing runs on a core set of visual motifs, and Gardner's portfolio draws from that same well. Portraits, both human and animal, are a staple. Think snarling wolves, regal lions, and stoic figures framed in floral garlands. Floral compositions appear frequently, from single statement roses to sprawling botanical sleeves. Classic imagery like skulls, daggers, snakes, and hearts gets the neotraditional treatment too, which means bolder outlines, richer color, and more decorative framing than their traditional counterparts. Nautical themes also surface regularly in neotraditional work, especially in coastal areas like the Gold Coast. Ships, anchors, swallows, and waves all lend themselves to the style's bold line and saturated color approach. The key difference between a traditional skull and a neotraditional one is detail and depth. The neotraditional version might feature more shading gradients, more intricate linework in the decorative elements, and a broader color palette. The subject stays classic, but the execution pushes further.

Placement & Sizing Considerations

Neotraditional tattoos need room to breathe. The style relies on bold outlines and saturated color fills, which means tiny placements often lose the detail that makes the genre work. Gardner's portfolio reflects this. His pieces tend to be medium to large scale, with enough space for the decorative framing and layered color that define neotraditional work. Arms, legs, and backs are the most common canvases for this style. A forearm or calf gives enough real estate for a single statement piece with framing elements. Sleeves and half-sleeves allow for multiple motifs connected by shared visual themes like consistent floral backgrounds or repeating geometric patterns. The chest and back offer the largest canvas and work well for central compositions surrounded by ornamental detail. Smaller placements like the inner wrist or behind the ear can work for simplified neotraditional designs, but expect to lose some of the style's signature depth. If you want the full neotraditional effect, plan for a piece that is at least fist-sized or larger.

How to Choose a Neotraditional Artist

Finding the right neotraditional artist means looking beyond the label. Plenty of tattooers list neotraditional as a style, but the quality range is wide. Start by examining healed photos, not just fresh work. Neotraditional relies on color saturation and line consistency, both of which reveal themselves over time. A piece that looks vibrant on day one should still read clearly months later. Look for artists whose linework stays crisp and whose color holds without patchy fading. Jacob Gardner's Instagram is a good reference point for what consistent neotraditional quality looks like. Notice how his outlines maintain even weight, how his color fills stay saturated, and how his compositions balance bold elements with finer detail. When evaluating any artist, check that their portfolio shows the specific subject matter you want. A neotraditional artist who excels at animal portraits may not be your best choice for a floral sleeve. Reach out directly, discuss your idea, and see if their vision aligns with yours.