Tattoos in Motion by Chaim Machlev and Madame CHäN

tattoo in motion by chaim machlev

This feature includes the work of both Chaim Machlev and Madame CHäN, tattooers who have different art styles but a natural ability to make animated tattoos; i.e. “the process of creating the continuous motion, and shape change illusion by means of rapid display of a sequence of static images that minimally differ from each other.” [1]

line art in motion tattoo by chaim machlev geometric line art tattoo on chest, by chaim machlev line art tattoo around nude body by by chaim machlev abstract linework tattoo, motion, by chaim machlev
Black lines organically flow on bodies.

Chaim Machlev

Chaim Machlev’s line art is organic, rhythmic and harmonious on the body (shown above). He draws a rough draft and quite often the final result is unpredictable, which requires that his clients fully trust his artistic direction.

cat running with geometric shapes. tattoo on arm by Madame Chan canadian geese in red and blue, tattoo by madame chan red and blue fish swimming on arm. tattoo by madame chan
Tattoos that have an anaglyph-3D-type of look.

Madame CHäN

Just like Muybridge’s famous sequence “The Horse in Motion,” tattoo artist Madame CHäN uses a similar technique by changing the form of the animal, the placement and overlapping slightly the shapes to create a sense of movement. Her use of contrasting colors—red and blue, or black and red—also help illustrate and guide the viewer’s eye into the animation.

1. "Animation." Wikipedia. Retrieved on November 18th, 2013.

Black and white images © Chaim Machlev. Colored images © Madame Chan
Adriana de Barros

Posted by

Adriana is the Webby-winning designer and editor-in-chief of Scene360 magazine. She's created successful projects over the course of 20 years in the fields of art, design, fashion and web. Currently, dividing her time between the West Coast of Portugal and the United States. Follow the author @ Instagram Facebook and view more articles.

View More