Bored Panda works better on our iPhone app
Continue in app Continue in browser

BoredPanda Add post form topAdd Post Search
Tooltip close

The Bored Panda iOS app is live! Fight boredom with iPhones and iPads here.

10 Genius Tattoos That Reveal All Their Glory Only After You Extend Your Legs Or Arms
12.6K

10 Genius Tattoos That Reveal All Their Glory Only After You Extend Your Legs Or Arms

ADVERTISEMENT

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)

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


View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Menace Tattoo (@menacetattoo) on

One of the artists known for these designs is French tattooer Vek Van Hillik

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

ADVERTISEMENT

He creates the tattoos by strategically placing them in the folds of his client’s limbs

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

View this post on Instagram

A 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


View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Veks Van Hillik TattooWork (@veksvanhilliktattoo) on

His insect tattoos are created not to shape-shift but to take flight

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo


View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Veks Van Hillik TattooWork (@veksvanhilliktattoo) on

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo


View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Veks Van Hillik TattooWork (@veksvanhilliktattoo) on

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo


View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Veks Van Hillik TattooWork (@veksvanhilliktattoo) on

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo


View this post on Instagram

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo


View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Veks Van Hillik TattooWork (@veksvanhilliktattoo) on

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo

ADVERTISEMENT

Image credits: veksvanhilliktattoo


View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Veks Van Hillik TattooWork (@veksvanhilliktattoo) on

Share on Facebook
You May Like
Popular on Bored Panda
Share your thoughts
Add photo comments
POST
erbakan_b avatar
thandeit avatar
Random Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
mikewiggins avatar
Wiggity
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this trend popular among local softball team catchers?

leahcerami avatar
Lunar Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
leahcerami avatar
Lunar Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SO disappointed with the octopus. I really wanted that one to be good :(

gerry1of1 avatar
Gerry Higgins
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

sabalminor avatar
Sabal Minor
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
alusairalustriel avatar
Alusair Alustriel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

faeryiis avatar
Lululoohoo
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I only liked the 1st beetle one. The rest were weird and not as cohesive

peterdowson avatar
Peter Dowson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fantastic idea with a form! But is it possible to get different from insects or fish image? Don`t like them at all.

mrsnicksmom avatar
Jennifer Taylor
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

christian_5 avatar
Danny Meeks
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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?!

cbeehn avatar
Cristi Beehn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

nothofagus001-sname avatar
Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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!

onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
bru9is avatar
Bruno Novis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check this out: https://www.instagram.com/p/Be8IAMGA8yu/?taken-by=marcelozissu https://www.instagram.com/p/BPs_8jcg1YS/?taken-by=marcelozissu

joleefrye avatar
Joey
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes me think of all the early 2000s "life/death" and "ecstasy/agony" tattoos eye guy with an eyebrow piercing had

nancyparkinson avatar
nancy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that a tattoo of Bill Clinton in the second-last one? LMAO!

tarebear avatar
tarebear
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The bugs look cool and so do some of the others like the moon but there are a couple where it almost looks like the idea wasn't gonna work and he tried to make it work and ended up with a super weird like oblong eyes thing

nvi08140 avatar
The Girl on Fire
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@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...
hollywoodrose666 avatar
OblaDiOblaDa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gross, why would you get huge bugs tattooed on yourself forever?

trudyurq avatar
Jack Urquhart
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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?

maddi_050203 avatar
LOttawa
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I like tattoos but to me, they have to mean something. I can't see any meaning behind any of these. I wonder what these people will think when they turn 70 (and what they will look like).

onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
erbakan_b avatar
thandeit avatar
Random Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
mikewiggins avatar
Wiggity
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is this trend popular among local softball team catchers?

leahcerami avatar
Lunar Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
leahcerami avatar
Lunar Panda
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

SO disappointed with the octopus. I really wanted that one to be good :(

gerry1of1 avatar
Gerry Higgins
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

sabalminor avatar
Sabal Minor
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
alusairalustriel avatar
Alusair Alustriel
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

faeryiis avatar
Lululoohoo
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I only liked the 1st beetle one. The rest were weird and not as cohesive

peterdowson avatar
Peter Dowson
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Fantastic idea with a form! But is it possible to get different from insects or fish image? Don`t like them at all.

mrsnicksmom avatar
Jennifer Taylor
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

christian_5 avatar
Danny Meeks
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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?!

cbeehn avatar
Cristi Beehn
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

nothofagus001-sname avatar
Dian Ella Lillie
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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!

onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
bru9is avatar
Bruno Novis
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Check this out: https://www.instagram.com/p/Be8IAMGA8yu/?taken-by=marcelozissu https://www.instagram.com/p/BPs_8jcg1YS/?taken-by=marcelozissu

joleefrye avatar
Joey
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Makes me think of all the early 2000s "life/death" and "ecstasy/agony" tattoos eye guy with an eyebrow piercing had

nancyparkinson avatar
nancy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Is that a tattoo of Bill Clinton in the second-last one? LMAO!

tarebear avatar
tarebear
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The bugs look cool and so do some of the others like the moon but there are a couple where it almost looks like the idea wasn't gonna work and he tried to make it work and ended up with a super weird like oblong eyes thing

nvi08140 avatar
The Girl on Fire
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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.

bpbperic avatar
Night Owl
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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

onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

@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...
hollywoodrose666 avatar
OblaDiOblaDa
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Gross, why would you get huge bugs tattooed on yourself forever?

trudyurq avatar
Jack Urquhart
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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?

maddi_050203 avatar
LOttawa
Community Member
5 years ago

This comment is hidden. Click here to view.

I like tattoos but to me, they have to mean something. I can't see any meaning behind any of these. I wonder what these people will think when they turn 70 (and what they will look like).

onemessylady avatar
Aunt Messy
Community Member
5 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

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...
Popular on Bored Panda
Trending on Bored Panda
Also on Bored Panda