New Tattoo - unieaglecorn

Behold! The Unieaglecorn tattoo!!!

The Peel family crest if ever there was one!

I just got inked with this bad boy and I'm so pleased with how it's turned out. There have been a few changes to the design since it's first incarnation.

The original design

First the band is different. I had a chat with Erik, my tattoo artist and realised that while the geometric pattern was indeed Pictish, it's not instantly recognisable as such. People tend to associate swirling knots and circles with Pictish style.

So I redesigned the band with a more organic spirals. But, I wanted to maintain a structured pattern. So, I brought the idea of the triskelion into the band and each swirl intersects with two others to form a triskelion. It gives the band the beautiful flowing shape but also keeps the mathematical beauty of triangles.

The second update is to the unicorn. This was partially inspired by the work I did on my cover for The Kelpie's Heart. I tidied up some of the lines. Also, the original Celtic knot in the unicorn's tail had some sharp edges that I got rid of. I won't lie, I added them because I wanted to make the unicorn look butch! LOL But, it just looked messy and cluttered.

Keeping the look true to Pictish style was far more important. And, I like the flourish and swirl at the end of the tail now. It also has some Pictish war paint across it's face giving it a tribal look. I think it makes it a much more complete figure and it relates better to the eagle.

I think it all hangs together much better and, as it's permanent, I think it fits in well with my others and it really means a lot to me. I'm so happy with the way it turned out. And, even better, my family and friends gave me money for my birthday to get it. So, it's kind of completion of a journey for me. *sniff* Now, fly my unieaglecorn! Fly!!

If you're curious, here's how the original idea came together.

Hope you enjoy!
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