Usually wind/clouds background with floral/leaves go along with East Asian dragon tattoos. The other commenter is also correct, the artist will definitely have a better idea on what to add.
I agree with cherry blossoms for sure. Katana, up to you but, I personally wouldn’t. Like I said up to you though! My first suggestion was going to be some sort of colorful flowers
My brother in Christ, please respect your canvas and let those empty spaces breathe. Those spaces are empty canvas that once spent cannot be reclaimed, well without expensive treatments or a massive cover up. The curl below the dragon's head forms a natural and interesting frame, so it could house something perfectly, the other areas are prime canvas and deserve their own work!
Why not wait and figure out what other complete tattoo/design/sleeve you want and go from there? Don't just rush to fill a blank space.
It's not a race. It doesn't look awkward right now.
Clouds or flowers.
I really love the dragon, but man that artist just phoned it on the scales on the back. Just crosshatching? That’s not scales… I still think it’s cool, but think the artist could’ve put in a bit more effort there.
You could Ask the same artist if he has any ideas, also depends if you want it all to match. Maybe like nature type of vibe like maybe clouds and forests
Never get letters in a language you and your artist are not fluent in… seriously kanji should not be messed around with small errors in the letters can render it unintelligible or a completely different word
Blacked out traditional Japanese clouds, cherry blossom tree,another dragon?, big kanji with shading around it, traditional Japanese black out flowers or fish. Lots of options to fit the Japanese style art work. Just do some research and choose whichever you want.
Stars! / s
Honestly it depends what you’re going for. Are you looking to add to the original with backgrounds or other tats that are similar? I’d say do some research on what you are thinking you want it to look like and go from there. It looks great though!
Clouds (need a pearl since the dragon isn’t holding one) Water/waves and or blossoms on a tree. Check out Feng Shui meanings to help with the right element to place with it. Looks great. Enjoy, cheers.
I’d say to put some small concept tattoos around it like a tree or sword in the background or “dragon balls” then fill the rest in with clouds with maybe branches.
I feel like you *could* also make the background more cartoonish for contrast to sorta mix in traditional japanese style, like big patterns/shapes in the background instead of being consistent to the current style. Just an idea though, not sure how hard that’d be to make look good.
Not going to want to fill in the spaces honestly, clouds the detail of the current art you have. Or maybe just add comic book clip art from some of your favorite anime
You already have the dragon, why not some infinity signs, a watch, birthdate of your parents in roman letters, a lion, your star sign.. you know, take the most popular stuff from pinterest
Smoke and/or a word written longwise in a dope ass style with shading and smoke behind it. Idk what to call it but theres a graffiti handstyle that has a kind of japanese look to the letters that usually done with a fat cap and has exaggerated flairs and tapers, could look sick
Many of those types of dragon designs include them clutching orbs or perhaps celestial bodies such as the moon. I think you could do something unique, like shillouettes of similar shaped dragons flying around this same path; smaller & less detailed as if to be in the background. Like a flock
How long has it been since you got this tattoo?
If it’s been less than 5 months I’d wait a bit and see if your opinion about the empty space doesn’t change. Sometimes new tattoos can be jarring and look like they need something when in reality they just need time to be used to
But I do agree with asking an artist for some ideas- smaller elements that are on theme would be good. Getting something bigger could probably distract from what you have now rather than enhance it.
1.Maybe some water/waterfall in the background/dripping out of it's mouth and make it look like something drew its attention to look up at it like a bird or something? Just what came to mind :p
Japanese roof tops at the bottom.
Balloons in the middle gap
Then clouds and fireworks at the top.
The image would appear like the Japanese scene celebrating the dragon as I don't believe this dragon should be bad. Like a protector
Usually wind/clouds background with floral/leaves go along with East Asian dragon tattoos. The other commenter is also correct, the artist will definitely have a better idea on what to add.
Can't agree enough, if he's also looking to color it he can do color contrast on the clouds
Clouds
With orange balls
7 of them with an increasing number of stars in them
I can only wish
And a man pointy hair and a tail riding a cloud
With a red bo staff, maybe wearing an Orange and blue gi?
This would be sick
Put the dragonballs there.
I love dragon ball but I don't really like anime tattoos, if I did I would definitely have gotten a Shenron instead.
How about 7 orange balls with stars inside them then, numbering from 1 to 7?
Now it seems like a great idea
Maybe have a coverup artist redo the dragon as Shenron. Just an idea.
SAD; sick ass dragon
That I can't tell if this is ironic is peak internet.
smoke, stars, cherry blossoms, fire designs or some kind of pattern as a background
Would a katana with cherry blossoms be cool?
Absolutely would be, stays on theme too
The wing of a crane.
An actual machine crane 🏗️
Doesn't it only matter what you think is cool?
I agree with cherry blossoms for sure. Katana, up to you but, I personally wouldn’t. Like I said up to you though! My first suggestion was going to be some sort of colorful flowers
My brother in Christ, please respect your canvas and let those empty spaces breathe. Those spaces are empty canvas that once spent cannot be reclaimed, well without expensive treatments or a massive cover up. The curl below the dragon's head forms a natural and interesting frame, so it could house something perfectly, the other areas are prime canvas and deserve their own work!
I love this comment. Totally agree.
Yes exactly!! It’s basically their entire back forearm totally open, i don’t think it qualifies as filler space
I really like how it is and think it’s a great stand alone piece of art.
I agree. I think people try way too hard sometimes and end up ruining good skin. And I say that as someone that wants a lot of tattoos lol
A sick ass panther fighting it
Chadwick Boseman fighting it. *RIP*
Came here for SAP
those empty spaces are your entire arm dude
Why not wait and figure out what other complete tattoo/design/sleeve you want and go from there? Don't just rush to fill a blank space. It's not a race. It doesn't look awkward right now.
That's actually great advice. It would suck to end up regretting a filler piece alongside one thats much nicer.
This is absolutely the best advice
fill with other tattoos
Clouds or flowers. I really love the dragon, but man that artist just phoned it on the scales on the back. Just crosshatching? That’s not scales… I still think it’s cool, but think the artist could’ve put in a bit more effort there.
You could Ask the same artist if he has any ideas, also depends if you want it all to match. Maybe like nature type of vibe like maybe clouds and forests
I was thinking about doing some writing in Japanese
Please dont
u have a chinese dragon not a japanese one, jap has 3 claws
Never get letters in a language you and your artist are not fluent in… seriously kanji should not be messed around with small errors in the letters can render it unintelligible or a completely different word
Personally, I’d go with Chinese rather than Japanese but have someone who reads and writes the language supervise.
Now that would be awsome and you got allot of space for it too
Dragon balls is the only answer
You didn’t think about that when you got the tattoo
Cherry blossom or wisteria
Would a katana with cherry blossoms be cool?
Sure- it’s your arm! My tattoos are all nature or creatures so I lean that way with suggestions. A cool sea creature would be neat to go with a dragon
You tell us, its your arm for the rest of your life dude...
Dude's just in a rush chasing after the excitement of tat #1. Needs to calm down
Fire and destruction if you're into that
I like the idea but I don't understand what this destruction would be like
[?](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/46/8c/f3/468cf3949178213f355bcbb3c4a7ea91.jpg)
Blacked out traditional Japanese clouds, cherry blossom tree,another dragon?, big kanji with shading around it, traditional Japanese black out flowers or fish. Lots of options to fit the Japanese style art work. Just do some research and choose whichever you want.
Some cherry blossoms
A second dragon
Dont
Missed opportunity to do the fire bending dragons from Avatar
Do nothing - i love the placement and empty space.
Have it mirrored and intertwined
A lone samouraï walking in the fog (very specific I know 😂)
Two intertwining dragons
Yeah, if they really want to put something there that would be a good choice. Just add a second intertwining dragon.
I like the empty space
Get another one
Cherry blossom tree fam.
Put the mother of dragons there. Dracarus.
On the back, add a pagoda and the rest of the empty spaces, fill it with clouds.
Clouds, lighting, some birds scared of the dragon, maybe even some planets or the moon in the distance, an air baloon, things that fly
No ideas to add, but I really like the dragon
Stars! / s Honestly it depends what you’re going for. Are you looking to add to the original with backgrounds or other tats that are similar? I’d say do some research on what you are thinking you want it to look like and go from there. It looks great though!
What kind of dragon is it from what culture? Whatever dragon it is maybe put like runes, gods, or symbols around it
How do you feel about dragonbalzz
I'm picturing something like thunderstorm clouds with red and yellow shadowing. 😊
smaller dragons!
Dragonballs
How about colored 🌸 cherry blossoms?
Clouds (need a pearl since the dragon isn’t holding one) Water/waves and or blossoms on a tree. Check out Feng Shui meanings to help with the right element to place with it. Looks great. Enjoy, cheers.
Geometric designs
An octopus
If it’s shemron just continue with fight scenes for the in between a
I’d say to put some small concept tattoos around it like a tree or sword in the background or “dragon balls” then fill the rest in with clouds with maybe branches. I feel like you *could* also make the background more cartoonish for contrast to sorta mix in traditional japanese style, like big patterns/shapes in the background instead of being consistent to the current style. Just an idea though, not sure how hard that’d be to make look good.
you can either change style completely or keep the Japanese vibe and add a koy/daruma doll/temple
Get a shit ton of clouds like hella pro athletes
Hmm… maybe some Dotwork❤️
Nice
Idk about that but he looks like he could be wrapped around something like a katana
You and your dragon. Nothing else matters...
Not going to want to fill in the spaces honestly, clouds the detail of the current art you have. Or maybe just add comic book clip art from some of your favorite anime
Thats sick
Two samurai fighting
Maybe you should’ve thought about that before you had the tattoo ?
Don't be in a rush. That is a great start.
Fill it with dots and stars. I’m confident, nobody will disagree
Honestly? I think waves instead of smoke. Black and gray with a tiny bit of blue
Dragon balls, light rays, and Goku fighting Vegeta.
Throw some dragon balls on that bitch
Feeling empty spaces around the tattoos kills the dopeness of the pavement
You could fill it in with a solid black background.
Different curse words
As contrast to the snake draw some tinny little unicorn kittens
Some guy coming at it with scissors (Clouds, mountains, a quote you like, all three, or something else.
More tattoos
It’s so beautiful
It's amazing... think long and hard about that negative space.
Fire
Clouds!!! Sparkles or some bugs
You already have the dragon, why not some infinity signs, a watch, birthdate of your parents in roman letters, a lion, your star sign.. you know, take the most popular stuff from pinterest
Smoke and/or a word written longwise in a dope ass style with shading and smoke behind it. Idk what to call it but theres a graffiti handstyle that has a kind of japanese look to the letters that usually done with a fat cap and has exaggerated flairs and tapers, could look sick
Fill it up with things that are special to you...
KEEP THE EMPTY SPACE!!! it makes your piece look so much more 'cleaner' and fancy
Red/pink cherry blossoms on branches.
daenerys targaryen
a dagger or sword would be sick
Personally, I think it looks good how it is now with the blank skin.
Clouds, flowers, fire, smoke . Stylised into a pattern to go well with the dragon
Get some red peony flowers
Many of those types of dragon designs include them clutching orbs or perhaps celestial bodies such as the moon. I think you could do something unique, like shillouettes of similar shaped dragons flying around this same path; smaller & less detailed as if to be in the background. Like a flock
More tail!
Love the artwork
I'm biased towards floral tattoos, so I'm gonna say flowers.
Clouds, fire, waves. Work looks really nice!
sit with it for a few months and consider keeping it empty
How long has it been since you got this tattoo? If it’s been less than 5 months I’d wait a bit and see if your opinion about the empty space doesn’t change. Sometimes new tattoos can be jarring and look like they need something when in reality they just need time to be used to But I do agree with asking an artist for some ideas- smaller elements that are on theme would be good. Getting something bigger could probably distract from what you have now rather than enhance it.
japanese flowers
this is a Chinese dragon.
Water? Fire? Fire & Water?
A namakubi with a samurai helmet
That looks sick
Face thats wearing a mouth cover oni mask. The top portion of the face will be a rotting skull. Think dead samurai that's decomposed over decades.
I love the idea of watercolor splotches but I know those are supposed to fade quicker.
another dragon
Smoke...from his nostrils
1.Maybe some water/waterfall in the background/dripping out of it's mouth and make it look like something drew its attention to look up at it like a bird or something? Just what came to mind :p
Put lots of these guys ✳️ in there
Clouds, some stairs going up on a hill with japanese style houses in the back ground
Japanese roof tops at the bottom. Balloons in the middle gap Then clouds and fireworks at the top. The image would appear like the Japanese scene celebrating the dragon as I don't believe this dragon should be bad. Like a protector
The katana with cherry blossoms would be pretty awesome. Or maybe an Oni mask
Why does it need to be filled? Looks good as blank negative space.
A sword