# Tattoo-Inspired Prints These John C. Thurbin Works are Monochromatic and Minamalist By Josh Triantafilou | Published 2012-05-27 | Pop Culture Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/john-c-thurbin References: [lostateminor](http://www.lostateminor.com/2012/05/24/beautiful-lino-cuts-by-john-c-thurbin/) John C. Thurbin is a London-based printmaker and illustrator who has honed his craft well judging by his recent lino-cut work. There is something to be said about luscious, bright colors, but [monochromatic](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/krink-x-barossa-ink-limited-edition-shiraz) line-drawing has its appeal as well. Clarity and purity are words that spring to mind when looking at Thurbin's work. He applies a minimalist shading technique that emphasizes large swaths of either white or black, a style very much reminiscent of film noir aesthetics. Indeed, many of the subjects of Thorbin's work -- blacks cats, Winston Churchill -- are familiar tropes from the era of film noir. Still, Thurbin's work is undeniably contemporary. The artist draws a lot of inspiration from [tattoos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blackdot-device), as seen in one piece of a man who's shoulders are covered in ink. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.0/10 - Popularity: 65% | Activity: 48% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Mono Line-drawing Art:** There's a growing trend in the art world in favor of minimalist monochromatic line-drawing that echoes film-noir aesthetics. - **Tattoo-inspired Art:** As seen in John C. Thurbin's work, there is a trend toward tattoo-inspired art in the printmaking and illustration realm. - **Simplistic Shading Techniques:** A trend in art styles leans toward simplistic shading techniques that emphasize large areas of stark white or black and evoke feelings of clarity and purity. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Fine Art:** New opportunities exist for disruption in the traditional art world by artists producing non-traditional prints in modern minimalist styles with inspiration from tattoos. - **Illustration and Printmaking:** Opportunities exist for illustrators and printmakers to create visually stunning and contemporary pieces in the style of tattoo-inspired minimalism with simplified shading techniques. - **Design:** Designers have the opportunity to be inspired by the popular minimalist monochromatic line-drawing art trend to create new, edgy, and chic designs in products and branding. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Limited Humorous Art Prints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/david-shrigley-1.md) - [Archival Pigment Art Print](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/parallax.md) - [Dainty Minimalist Temporary Tattoos](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/winterstone.md) - [Online Tattoo Art Marketplaces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blackdot.md) - [Generative Art Tattoo Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blackdot-1.md) - [Hand-Painted Watercolor Prints](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/emma-webster.md) - [Body Artwork-Inspired Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/body-tattoo.md) - [Striking Urban Wildlife Art](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/clare-allin.md) - [Graphic Patterned Artful Homeware](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cut-paste.md)