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]

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.

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