The difference between old school and new school
New school keeps the bold lines and solid colours of old school, but pushes everything to the extreme: neon colours (electric blue, hot pink, lime green), exaggerated proportions (big eyes, big hands, huge mouths), modern gradient shading, and an overall cartoon / caricature aesthetic.
If old school is serious and iconic, new school is playful and satirical. Common subjects include:
- Cartoon characters (SpongeBob, Mario, reinterpreted Disney characters)
- Anthropomorphised animals (a bear with glasses, a frog with a top hat)
- Anthropomorphised food (a pizza slice with a face)
- Pop culture references (memes, viral clips)
- Parodies of old school motifs (a neon green panther instead of black)
New school requires an artist with strong graphic sensibility — execution is similar to old school technically, but design requires illustration and colour talent. The 2nd place at the International Tattoo Convention Bucharest 2016 confirms our team's experience in this style.
