Gorilla Traditional Shoulder

Questions & answers

What is this tattoo?

A black & grey traditional (old school) tattoo featuring an animals, placed on the shoulder. By Nick Colella at Great Lakes Tattoo.

Where was this tattoo done?

This tattoo was done at Great Lakes Tattoo, 1148 W Grand Ave. View on Google Maps →

How painful is a shoulder tattoo?

Shoulder: Mild on our 5-step pain scale — thick deltoid muscle and a flat surface. Pain is personal, and long sessions, stress and bleeding make it feel worse. Pain map →

How long does it take to heal, and will people see it?

The surface usually looks healed in 2–4 weeks; the skin keeps settling for a few months. On the shoulder healing is easy, and it is easy to cover. When can I swim, work out, tan? →

How will a tattoo like this age?

Bold outlines and solid black are the styles that age best — the design stays readable even as lines soften slightly over decades. Sunscreen keeps the colour from fading. How tattoos age →

Can I get this exact design?

Use it as a reference. Most artists adapt a design to your body and their own style rather than copy another person’s tattoo line for line — and if you want this artist’s look, the best option is to book this artist. Copying, references and AI designs →

How do I book something like this?

Message the studio with this photo, your placement and size, colour or black & grey, budget and dates. The “What to include in your first message” box below has a ready-to-copy template. How to message a tattoo artist →