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10 Genius Tattoos That Reveal All Their Glory Only After You Extend Your Legs Or Arms
The most infamous optical illusion ‘Rabbit-Duck’ dates back to 1892, but modern-day tattoo artists have found their own unique ways to trick your eyeballs – two in one tattoo idea. Through strategic placement, each tattoo design comes to life and transforms with the client’s body movement.
Tattoo artist Vek Van Hillik is one of these illusionists and uses the folds of people’s limbs to hide parts of the cool tattoo design. This allows for the unique design to appear as one subject when the limb is bent and then transforms into a different image when the arm or leg is outstretched. Freehand body art designing is essential to these hidden images so the artist can change things as they go for a more accurate illusion.
Scroll down below to see some mindbending unique art!
More Info: Website
(h/t mymodernmet)
RELATED:
This beetle tattoo placed in this woman’s elbow may look cool now
Image credits: menacetattoo
But what’s even cooler is what happens when the arm is outstretched
The unique tattooing style creates images that are more than meets the eye
One of the artists known for these designs is French tattooer Vek Van Hillik
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
He creates the tattoos by strategically placing them in the folds of his client’s limbs
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
View this post on InstagramA post shared by Veks Van Hillik TattooWork (@veksvanhilliktattoo) on
During the design phase, he draws freehand to give provide flexibility and accuracy
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Van Hillik chooses symmetrical subjects for optimal shape-shifting
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
His insect tattoos are created not to shape-shift but to take flight
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo
What do you think ?
Random Panda 6 years ago
I think so too. Obviously a lot of talent/work went into this, but I wouldn't put it on my body.
Load More Replies...
Lunar Panda 6 years ago
I thought the same thing! Like how often are they in those squatting positions...lol. I wanna see one in the armpit
Load More Replies... Lunar Panda 6 years ago
SO disappointed with the octopus. I really wanted that one to be good :(
Gerry Higgins 6 years ago
Well executed I guess, I'm not a tat fan. I'm so glad that fad has died out. The next generation equates tattoos to old people like their moms LOL
Sabal Minor 6 years ago
Still seeing a butt ton of tatts on the youngsters. Like rap c**p music it's taking a lonnnng time. I know I sound old to even type this & pretty much am! Now get off my lawn!
Load More Replies...
Alusair Alustriel 6 years ago
Don't like the style of the tattoes, but the idea is interesting. Best looking were the bug ones - fully using the thought. The octopus for example was awful to me as it dissolved into a blobby squidy thing without much sense :P
Lululoohoo 6 years ago
I only liked the 1st beetle one. The rest were weird and not as cohesive
Peter Dowson 6 years ago
Fantastic idea with a form! But is it possible to get different from insects or fish image? Don`t like them at all.
Jennifer Taylor 6 years ago
I like the idea but not the execution. These are just too ugly. I've seen these morphing tats done well but this artist's work is bad and not well thought out.
Danny Meeks 6 years ago
Isn't the idea that they look like something in the closed AND open state? These look like something closed but a total mess open. What's clever about that? Just have the one state, done well somewhere that doesn't fold, why give yourself the s**t version?!
Cristi Beehn 6 years ago
The Artist did an Amazing job. I've seen this bug in the past. As wall art and in identify or research books. Excellent, tight, she will enjoy this from now on... love love love. Excellent Artist.
Dian Ella Lillie 6 years ago
Although I'm not a tattoo enthusiast I can still admire both his skill in constructing beautiful images, and the cleverness of the transitions. I can't help but wonder though how these would change as the people's bodies change!
Aunt Messy 6 years ago
There are some rules. If you want your ink to stay relatively fresh, do NOT let the sun hit it. Sunscreen is a must. They will still fade over time, but it won't be as drastic. NEVER get ink on body parts that will sag. You don't want that lovely hummingbird on your boob to become a pterodactyl when you have kids. Don't ink your belly (if you're planning to have kids), or anything else that'll sag. Thighs are a bad idea, calves are better.
Load More Replies...
Bruno Novis 6 years ago
Check this out: https://www.instagram.com/p/Be8IAMGA8yu/?taken-by=marcelozissu https://www.instagram.com/p/BPs_8jcg1YS/?taken-by=marcelozissu
The Girl on Fire 6 years ago
Don't get me wrong, this is some very cool looking artwork, but they're not good-looking as tattoos. On paper it would look neat, but on someone's body it just looks creepy.
Night Owl 6 years ago
Interesting concept. I wonder how painful for the one getting the tattoo or how hard for the tattoo artist it is to get or make a tattoo inside the elbow or knee. The skin is very thin there on some people
Aunt Messy 6 years ago
@Lunar - Yep, that's me! Crybaby-sissy-whiner girl all the way. I also have the redhead gene, so not only do I feel the pain faster than most, it actually hurts more. It sucks at the dentist, they have to freeze me twice. ...///... My back piece took about 34 hours to complete in 8 sessions. I'll take all freezing I can get.
Load More Replies...
Jack Urquhart 6 years ago
why ruin your beautiful body with this s**t? You won't love it forever. Things happen. The ones that open up to just show more non-meaning tattoos are ugly as sin And what about Weddings In-laws Work related pool parties shorts in the summer when you are 60 Is there an app for THINK AHEAD?
Aunt Messy 6 years ago
Ah, the old "what happens when you get old" garbage. Who cares? I'm 55, and last year I finally finished getting my entire back done. By the time I'm older just about everyone will be inked anyway. If you're still worried about what people will think in the nursing home, then you have MUCH bigger problems that tattoos.
Load More Replies...
Random Panda 6 years ago
I think so too. Obviously a lot of talent/work went into this, but I wouldn't put it on my body.
Load More Replies... Lunar Panda 6 years ago
I thought the same thing! Like how often are they in those squatting positions...lol. I wanna see one in the armpit
Load More Replies... Lunar Panda 6 years ago
SO disappointed with the octopus. I really wanted that one to be good :(
Gerry Higgins 6 years ago
Well executed I guess, I'm not a tat fan. I'm so glad that fad has died out. The next generation equates tattoos to old people like their moms LOL
Sabal Minor 6 years ago
Still seeing a butt ton of tatts on the youngsters. Like rap c**p music it's taking a lonnnng time. I know I sound old to even type this & pretty much am! Now get off my lawn!
Load More Replies... Alusair Alustriel 6 years ago
Don't like the style of the tattoes, but the idea is interesting. Best looking were the bug ones - fully using the thought. The octopus for example was awful to me as it dissolved into a blobby squidy thing without much sense :P
Lululoohoo 6 years ago
I only liked the 1st beetle one. The rest were weird and not as cohesive
Peter Dowson 6 years ago
Fantastic idea with a form! But is it possible to get different from insects or fish image? Don`t like them at all.
Jennifer Taylor 6 years ago
I like the idea but not the execution. These are just too ugly. I've seen these morphing tats done well but this artist's work is bad and not well thought out.
Danny Meeks 6 years ago
Isn't the idea that they look like something in the closed AND open state? These look like something closed but a total mess open. What's clever about that? Just have the one state, done well somewhere that doesn't fold, why give yourself the s**t version?!
Cristi Beehn 6 years ago
The Artist did an Amazing job. I've seen this bug in the past. As wall art and in identify or research books. Excellent, tight, she will enjoy this from now on... love love love. Excellent Artist.
Dian Ella Lillie 6 years ago
Although I'm not a tattoo enthusiast I can still admire both his skill in constructing beautiful images, and the cleverness of the transitions. I can't help but wonder though how these would change as the people's bodies change!
Aunt Messy 6 years ago
There are some rules. If you want your ink to stay relatively fresh, do NOT let the sun hit it. Sunscreen is a must. They will still fade over time, but it won't be as drastic. NEVER get ink on body parts that will sag. You don't want that lovely hummingbird on your boob to become a pterodactyl when you have kids. Don't ink your belly (if you're planning to have kids), or anything else that'll sag. Thighs are a bad idea, calves are better.
Load More Replies... Bruno Novis 6 years ago
Check this out: https://www.instagram.com/p/Be8IAMGA8yu/?taken-by=marcelozissu https://www.instagram.com/p/BPs_8jcg1YS/?taken-by=marcelozissu
The Girl on Fire 6 years ago
Don't get me wrong, this is some very cool looking artwork, but they're not good-looking as tattoos. On paper it would look neat, but on someone's body it just looks creepy.
Night Owl 6 years ago
Interesting concept. I wonder how painful for the one getting the tattoo or how hard for the tattoo artist it is to get or make a tattoo inside the elbow or knee. The skin is very thin there on some people
Aunt Messy 6 years ago
@Lunar - Yep, that's me! Crybaby-sissy-whiner girl all the way. I also have the redhead gene, so not only do I feel the pain faster than most, it actually hurts more. It sucks at the dentist, they have to freeze me twice. ...///... My back piece took about 34 hours to complete in 8 sessions. I'll take all freezing I can get.
Load More Replies... Jack Urquhart 6 years ago
why ruin your beautiful body with this s**t? You won't love it forever. Things happen. The ones that open up to just show more non-meaning tattoos are ugly as sin And what about Weddings In-laws Work related pool parties shorts in the summer when you are 60 Is there an app for THINK AHEAD?
Aunt Messy 6 years ago
Ah, the old "what happens when you get old" garbage. Who cares? I'm 55, and last year I finally finished getting my entire back done. By the time I'm older just about everyone will be inked anyway. If you're still worried about what people will think in the nursing home, then you have MUCH bigger problems that tattoos.
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