Some tattoos just click (pun fully intended). Today at Viper Pit Tattoo Studio in Manchester, I had the pleasure of working on a The Last of Us inspired moth tattoo, done entirely in blackwork stipple.
For fans of The Last of Us, the moth carries a lot of weight. It’s tied to Ellie’s story, the Firefly imagery, and that ongoing theme of survival in a world where everything’s gone sideways. It’s simple at first glance, but the meaning runs deep – exactly the sort of design that works perfectly in stipple shading.
The tattoo was built using dotwork techniques, layering thousands of tiny dots to create depth, shadow, and texture instead of traditional solid fills. This not only gives it that gritty, raw look that matches the tone of the game, but also ensures the piece heals beautifully with that signature blackwork boldness.
The end result? A tattoo that feels like it could have been pulled straight from Ellie’s journal pages, sitting proudly on the skin as a subtle nod to one of the best survival stories ever told.
Thinking about your own gaming tattoo?
Whether you’re into The Last of Us, classic horror, or something completely different, we can turn your ideas into unique artwork. We’re based in Irlam, Manchester (just down the road from Salford, Trafford, and Warrington) and specialise in blackwork, stipple, realism, and custom designs that carry real meaning.
Book your session with Viper Pit Tattoo Studio today – because unlike Joel’s choices, a good tattoo decision will actually age well.
