Forearm
A long, fairly flat canvas that is easy to see and easy to show off.
Typical design area: about 3 x 7 in (8 x 18 cm)
- Shapes that suit it
- Tall, narrow compositions that follow the length of the arm: daggers, stems and florals, vertical lettering, animals in profile, stacked motifs.
- Styles that work
- Works with nearly any style. Fine line and script suit slim designs, while traditional, blackwork and Japanese-inspired pieces take bold outlines well.
- Visibility and coverage
- Uncovered by short sleeves and rolled sleeves, covered by long sleeves. Inner and outer forearm can differ in how often they show, depending on how you hold your arm.
- Movement and stretch
- The forearm rotates and flexes when you turn your palm or grip things, so a design can look different from different angles. Vertical layouts keep their shape well.
- Sun exposure
- Often uncovered in warm weather, so it tends to see more daylight than areas hidden by clothing. Worth mentioning when you talk through color and line choices.
- Detail and legibility
- Good room for detail along the length, but the width is limited. Very fine lines and small text need enough size to stay readable.
Questions to ask your artist
- Should the design sit on the inner, outer or wrap around the arm?
- How long can it run before it feels crowded at my arm size?
- Will the design read well when my wrist turns?
- How would this piece connect if I add to it later?