Bridal Style Henna Tattoo - Full Back Hand Henna Pattern

Here is a photo of bridal style henna tattoo. This is a full back hand henna pattern that took about half an hour to finish.

The design actually started above the wrist with the floral cuff, then moved down to the back of the hand, and finally to the fingers.

From this angle, it is easy to see the peacock built into the pattern, so the wearer gets to enjoy the lovely bird.

The viewer will notice the floral cuff first, and then the eye will be drawn down the hand to the tip of the fingers.

This pattern was created by drawing a series of shapes that were then outlined and finally filled in with traditional mehndi components to give a full hand tattoo.

The use of negative space is very important when creating free hand henna designs. A bit of space between design elements catches the eye.

In my experience, when I forget to use negative space, my tattoos seem cluttered, visually busy, or it's just plain hard to see what I drew. I hope you find this little note helpful.

For more information about drawing henna tattoo, there are wonderful live videos on this blog. Check the labels to the right of this post to find one you like. Namaste.

Traditional Henna - Freehand Henna Tattoo

I was so lucky to do this henna Saturday afternoon. The paste was fast & liquid.. my client, a goddess of henna!

This pattern was completed in half an hour. The freedom of Chef's Choice and a traditional order makes it so easy to create a henna design that fits the client, the budget & the esthetics of the art form!

As it is getting "late" in the henna season.. please call Ann to schedule a tattoo.

Traditional Henna Pattern for Sonya

Many thanks to Sonya for ordering a traditional henna pattern. This design is one of many from the little henna pattern books imported from India.

Mixing a very fluid paste helps make this kind of fine line henna tattoo possible. I used a henna cone made of florist wrap, not quite mylar... but a shear & flexible cellophane type material. I cut just a bit off the tip of the cone, and the began the pattern at the wrist.

I used the 2009 Jamila henna powder, so it was easy to make a very fine paste. As well, this year's crop is extra wonderful in that it is very gummy all on it's own. The addition of henna tea made with fenugreek seeds also helps to create a cohesive paste that flows smoothly onto the skin.

If you would like a henna tattoo like this one, please feel welcome to stop by The Midnight Sun on Saturday, 9.12.09 sometime after Noon. Simple henna tattoo designs are $15. A full back hand henna like this one can cost $25 to $30. For more information about henna tattoo.. visit the FAQ page on my site.

*Please note: This is a photo of henna paste ON the skin. I do not offer black henna. Once this paste has remained on the skin long enough ( 3 -6 hours) to give a good stain, you scrape the black paste off to reveal the henna color ( light orange to dark reddish brown) which will develop over the next 48 hours.

The quality of your finished henna tattoo depends in part on how well you take care of your design.

Full Palm Henna Tattoo

Greetings & best wishes to all!

This is a quick post to let you know that this Satuday, May 16, 2009, the artists of Spirit Vision Henna will be out of town for a wedding party. We will not be at The Midnight Sun.

We will however be back again on Saturday, May 23, 2009. Please feel welcome to call to schedule a henna appointment for next Saturday, or if you prefer, stop by the shop between 11:30 AM and 5:15 PM for your mehandi.

We use only freshly prepared henna paste - our own recipe! - to ensure deep lasting color. For more information about getting your first henna tattoo, please visit the FAQ page.

Henna Tattoo Design for the Back of the Hand.

It is always lovely to be able to create a henna design that compliments the natural beauty of each client.

As you can see, LuAnn is wearing a very lovely ring, and her henna pattern was created to both compliment her hand and to draw attention to her jewelry.

Using a hand rolled henna cone, a very find\e henna powder ( Jamila Henna ) and a smooth, rich henna paste made with essential oils, a bit of lemon juice and my own blend of "henna tea" it was easy to quickly create this traditional henna pattern.

If you are just learning to henna, please be sure to experiment with your paste. When I first started to make henna paste, I made a much thicker paste than I do now. Adding a bit of fenugreek to the henna tea really helps to make a cohesive paste. As well, fresh henna makes a lovely "gummy" paste.

The 2008 Jamila henna harvest is a super fine henna powder that gives a great color.

Bridal Henna - palms in process

I wish I had remembered to take more photos of this bridal henna tattoo. We were actually able to finished the fingertips with bold tear drops, dots & flourished that met the pattern you see here in the photo.

The finish for the backs of the hands featured compatible floral & paisley accents that were embellished with the little glove spots.. giving the look of wearing an old fashioned glove. As this was henna in the winter time, I used plenty of lemon sugar glaze to help the henna stay wet as long as possible & blow drying from time tot time to help open the pores.

It was important that we finish the henna as quickly as possible, so I will hope to receive photos of the finished color sometime next week. Stay tuned!

Henna Pattern - Peacock Tattoo with Flowers

Here is a photo of a full palm henna tattoo. This design was done using the "draw the outlines first" method which has really improved my finished designs.

Visit the henna videos category on this site to see one of the best "how to" videos online. I started the pattern at the wrist, drew the outlines for the peacock & the bracelet at the wrist, then moved to draw the outlines for the encircled flower pattern at the base of the hand. I went back to fill in the details of the peacock & bracelet before moving to fill the hand. After finishing that portion of the pattern I drew outlines for the flower pattern that runs up the pinky & ring finger, then the little paisley and the flower at the base of the thumb.

After filling in all those areas, it was time to finish off the fingers. I used bold strokes to finish, hoping that the use of negative space would create the little glove effect as well as enhance the complexity of the palm pattern. If you like this pattern, you may enjoy a visit to the Henna Patterns page on my site. There are lots of little booklets from India on sale.. filled with inspiring images.

I intent to be back to work at the MIdnight Sun this weekend. Perhaps I will see you there?

Bridal Henna for Back of Hand

It is always wonderful to have friends! I am particularly grateful for those with the time and patience to help me perfect my skills.

This henna tattoo took about an hour and a half to complete. We were having a relaxed time, no stress or hurry, and didn't realize that time and passed so quickly. After we finished, we wrapped that tattoo in tissue and plastic to be sure to get the best color possible.

This paste, I included eucalyptus oil, clove oil, a bit of neroli & some cajeput. It was an invigorating mix that we both enjoyed. The henna flowed very smoothly from the "floral paper" cone, and I was able to provide several applications of lemon/sugar to the design to keep it moist as long as possible.

I will have finished color photos on Wednesday I hope, and will be sure to post them as soon as possible. Again, I was inspired by the many very talented artists who have so generously posted their work on line. Following their example, I did draw the primary design elements on the arm first, then filled those in, moving down to the hand and finally the fingers.

Bridal Henna for Back of Hand - Thanks Toni!

Thanks to all the generous artists who post videos of their work in process! I have learned so much about how to layout the designs as a result of watching their work.

I now use a a much thinner paste than I was using before, and a finer tip on the rolled cone.

I never did like mylar cones, but I found some floral plastic wrap that is comfortable to touch and responds well to pressure. It has a smooth feeling & I am not worried that I will "pop" it.

You may notice that I have a better grasp of the use of white space in this henna tattoo. In part, this is because I remembered to outline components when they were finished.

Of course one of the best blessings to henna tattoo practice is a willing & very still model. The success of this pattern is due in large part to my very patient model. Thanks Toni!

Arabic Style Henna for the Arm - Chef's Choice Henna

I am always grateful to my trusting henna clients who order "Chef's Choice". I mentioned to Rachel that I was really inspired by the excellent work of the artist who is featured in the henna video below, and that I wanted to practice that more intricate style of henna.

Lucky for me she agreed and here you see the result. This photo shows the henna paste on the skin.. and not black henna. We used the '08 crop of Jamila Henna so I have no doubt the finished color will be excellent! The henna powder created a nice gummy paste when I mixed it. The paste flowed easily and I could "drop lines" of paste on the skin when creating the tattoo, so I really enjoyed that.

I feel so fortunate that highly skilled henna artists are willing to post their work in action. I am a visual learner, and it is so wonderful to watch other artists think.
So.. I went browsing around and found a great live action henna video from Nepal that I will post in the near future. Right now, I am inspired to do a bit more bridal quality henna for practice & will post those photos soon.

Namaste 'til next time.

Fine Line Henna Palm - Paste on skin

After browsing through the collection of traditional henna tattoo patterns from India, my client chose this design.

To be sure, this is a modified version of the pattern as we were having henna party at the Midnight Sun. For a private party, please contact the studio by phone or e-mail. Henna is available by walk-in appointment only on Saturdays from 1:00 until 5:00 in Five Points.

Sometimes Spirit Vision Henna offers mehandi at the First Friday party in Five Points at Bead Here Now. The best way to get your henna is to give a call.

Cajeput Oil & Pomegranate Juice! Great Henna Color

I used cajeput oil in this mix to get this great finished color only 14 hours off the skin. This is the 2007 crop of Jamila henna giving this good color. The henna paste was allowed to remain on the palm of the hand for about 6 hours.
I was lucky to get this foto before the beach party. I am happy to share it with you.

For those new to Spirit Vision Henna.. this is a "chef's choice" pattern. It is an easy way to get a unique henna tattoo that fits your style & your budget.

Be sure to click the photo for a larger view. Also, to see more henna tattoos visit Spirit Vision on myspace.

Bridal Henna Tattoo for Brooke - Original Henna Pattern

Brook designed this unique henna tattoo for her wedding day as we went along. I was very lucky to feel pretty good about drawing trees so that I felt pretty well qualified to help design the pattern for her.

She sent me some samples by email of styles she liked. As well, she looked through some of the pattern books I brought to our appointment before deciding on an asymmetrical tree design. The patterns she had sent me had a Turkish feeling which I tried to include in the style of the leaves, and the spacing of the lines.

The backs of the hands were done very simply, again with an asymmetric design offering an Arabic look. The pattern she chose for the feet was a traditional "sandal" style that mirrored the organic feeling of the palm pattern.

I hope to be able to post photos of the finished color for you soon. 'Til then, just click the image for a close up.

How wonderful to Henna Twins!

I had a wonderful time at Midnight Sun today, and met many wonderful people. I wish I could have taken photos of all the henna, but I was busy.. and we are all happy.

I did maange to take this photo of sisters, who were twins and chose similar, almost identical tattoos. Ok. They chose the same basic design, but henna has a way of negotiating with a human canvas. Here are the results.

I will not be working on Saturday, September first, but will be back on the 8th. See you soon.

Thirty Minute Henna Hand

I must thank Cindy for the "loan" of her hand. She made it possible for me to practice a new design, as fast as I could.

The tip of the cone was cut very small, which made it easy to do her fingers, and all the fine lines on the back of her hand. To get the heavier lines I had to double some of the fine lines, which took a bit longer than I wanted it to.

I started at the fingertips and worked backward from there. I wanted to be sure that the ribbon that "draped" the back of the hand was in the proper place & the easiest was was backwards.

Of course I now have my super portable, very comfortable, ne,w drum chairs which make the henna process so much easier.

I got them at Midnight Sun of course! They are little round bamboo stools that look like djembes colorful, water-proof and very steady to sit on.

Cindy's hand is resting on the top of the stool (they make great photo backdrops as well.)

Full Palms Henna - traditional henna tattoo!

I had the good luck to be able to do this lovely full palm henna tattoo today. I hope you enjoy it.

I suppose it took about 45 minutes from start to finish. I hope to have a foto of the finished color on line soon.

Just stop by Midnight Sun to look thru lots of pattern books... maybe you will find something you like. (Click the image for a larger view).

Full Palms Henna - traditional henna tattoo!

Here is a new sample of traditional henna tattoo. Designs on the palms of the hands always yield the deepest color. (This is a photo of the paste still on the skin.)

Spirit Vision Henna thanks our hostess for the opportunity to do tradtional mehandi - and a bit of gilding - at her wonderful party. The pattern is original, but based on traditional componenets. I call it "Chef's Choice" henna. This means you tell me what you like (floral, tribal, African, Indian, geometric) and I create design to suite your style, your budget.. and of course your body.

Bridal Henna Tattoo for the palms of the hands.

Sometimes a picture just speaks for itself.

Here are the palms of a happy bride just 24 hours after the past was removed.

The henna powder used here was from the souks of Dubai. (Yes, this is the henna powder used in all henna kits!)

The color was even darker on her wedding day.

Artwork by Ann George of Spirit Vision Henna Tattoo, Jacksonville, Florida.

Bridal henna by appointment. Please call 904-993-7466 for more information.