Tortoises, hares, skulls, and crows—these are all characters featured in Parvick Faramarz’s blackwork tattoos. The Moscow-based artist combines intricate dot and bold lines, creating a subtle texture and sense of motion in every tattoo. At times, they appear as if they’re crawling over the skin. Together, they conjure vintage illustrations of folklore; not the type that are friendly and welcoming, but the dark, psychological tales such as The Brothers Grimm.

Images © Parvick Faramarz