Irezumi Sleeve

A full Japanese traditional sleeve built around a dragon and peony composition. The client came in with a loose concept. We spent the consultation talking about movement, placement, and how the arm bends at rest and in motion.

The design wraps from shoulder to wrist. The dragon follows the bicep and forearm. Peonies fill the gaps and connect the composition across the elbow. Wind bars and cloud forms tie the background together.

Four sessions over three months. Each session was five to six hours. The outline was completed in the first two sessions. Color and shading filled the remaining two.

The sleeve was designed to stand alone but also allow future expansion to a full bodysuit if the client decides to continue.