Fantasy tattoos are imaginative designs in any color or size. Common fantasy tattoo subjects include mythical creatures such as dragons, trolls, mermaids, unicorns, wizards and fairies. Dragon and mermaid tattoos can wrap around the forearm or lay flat. However, the majority of fantasy tattoos will distort if the picture curves, so they must be located on the inner or outer forearm.
A monotone tattoo of an old wizard holding a staff creates a dramatic design. A colorful and wild-haired mermaid with a green tail that twists around the forearm creates an intricate design. A snowy white, gold-horned unicorn rearing up on its hind legs creates a sweet design.
Colorful flower ideas are popular forearm tattoos for women. The mixture of colors provides drama and depth to the design. Though monotone flower tattoos are also possible, they tend to be unpopular choices unless the floral theme pairs with a tribal style. The vivid tattoos work for any size or style, from a tiny daisy on the upper arm to large orchids covering the entire forearm.
A floral tattoo design can be a simple red rose with a long stem on your inner forearm or an elaborate wildflower vine that winds around your lower forearm. Select a yellow orchid and lilac butterfly design for a unique chain tattoo around the middle of your forearm. Use flowery vines to create a tattoo of your initials on your inner forearm.
Consider a portrait tattoo for your forearm, whether it's a family member, legendary celebrity, religious figure, cultural icon or personal hero. The tattoos can use just the face or the full body to create a portrait. Portrait tattoos come in single or multiple colors and the style can be realistic or abstract.
A halo-topped figure of Mary down the inner or outer forearm is a classic example of a religious portrait tattoo. Geisha faces and orange blossoms covering the entire forearm is an exotic example. The head of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh in the middle of the inner forearm is an unusual example.
Tribal forearm tattoos are extremely popular with men and women of all ages. Traditional tribal designs use a single color to emphasize the primitive nature of the tattoo. The designs can be random patterns or composed shapes. Overlapping thorn shapes are popular for creating random tribal patterns. Plants, animals and other natural elements are popular subjects for creating composed shapes.
Combinations of Celtic knots can create small, large, winding, chain and full-sleeve forearm tattoos. Thin and spiky monotone dashes are popular for creation of a variety of designs such as a simple heart shape near the wrist, a sun shape on the inner arm and a silhouette of a dragon down the outer arm.