NEOTRADITIONAL MANCHESTER BEE TATTOO – My Own Interpretation

The Manchester Bee – A Symbol of the City

In Manchester, the bee is more than just an insect – it represents unity, hard work, and the resilience of the city. That’s why it has become one of the most popular tattoo designs among locals and visitors alike.

This tattoo was created for Lauren, who wanted a unique, neotraditional Manchester bee. After our initial consultation and once she approved the design, we began the process of bringing it to life.

My Take on the Neotraditional Manchester Bee Tattoo

I decided to create my own alternative version of the Manchester bee tattoo, designed in a neotraditional style.

Neotraditional tattooing has been fascinating me more and more lately. It combines bold outlines and strong contrasts with artistic freedom and a modern twist. For me, it’s an exciting playground where I can experiment with colours, shapes, and unique concepts.

Work in Progress

Stencil Placement

After the consultation and design approval, the first step was placing the stencil in the most optimal position. This is a crucial part of the process – it allows both me and the client to visualise how the tattoo will look on the body before any ink goes in.

Outline

Once the stencil was set, I moved on to creating the outline. This stage is very important to me because it forms the foundation of the tattoo. I take extra time and care to ensure the lines are as precise, solid, and clean as possible – this guarantees that the final tattoo will look crisp and hold well over time.

Colour and Shading

Finally comes the most creative stage – adding colour. This is the “cherry on top.” Here, I look for the perfect balance between black and colour, building strong contrast, which is the most essential element for readability and impact.

I work carefully on the smooth blending of different shades, creating tonal transitions that bring depth and vibrancy to the design. This is where the tattoo truly comes alive.

Exploring Different Styles

Most of you know me for my love of abstract tattoos, sketchy lines, and illustrative character work. These styles give me a lot of freedom to experiment and create truly unique designs.

But with this project, I wanted to show another side of my tattooing – my ability to work with perfectly solid, clean, and even linework, which is at the core of neotraditional tattoos. This balance between expressive abstraction and technical precision is something I really enjoy exploring.

Why I Love Neotraditional Tattoos?

For me, this tattoo is not only a Manchester bee but also a statement of my approach to tattooing. I enjoy moving across different aesthetics, experimenting, and blending styles.

Neotraditional gives me the freedom to play with colour and form while keeping a bold and impactful visual message.

Upcoming Flash and Autumn Designs

I’m really excited to tattoo more neotraditional pieces, and soon I’ll be posting a brand new blog entry with available flash designs and a full flash sheet inspired by autumn aesthetics. 🍂

If you love seasonal themes, bold colours, and unique compositions, keep an eye on my updates – these autumn flash designs will be available to book very soon.

Get Your Own Manchester Bee Tattoo

If you like this kind of work and want your own neotraditional tattoo, I’d be happy to create more designs like this.

👉 Get in touch via my enquiry form or Instagram if you’d like a custom neotraditional tattoo, a neotraditional manchester bee tattoo, or to claim one of my upcoming autumn flash tattoos.