10 mind-bending optical illusion tattoos inspired by nature and fantasy

Back in the day, tattoos were for sailors. Or at least that’s what your mom might tell you.

However, tattoos have a long history, dating back thousands of years. And, while there are still people who are against tattoos today, many see it as a form of art – that’s why those who work in this field are called tattoo artists.

One example of a true tattoo artist is Veks Van Hillik, a French tattooist who creates optical illusion tattoos. And they blow the minds of anyone who sees them.

From hybrid fish/butterflies to scary monsters, beetles, and dystopic monkeys, Van Hillik’s tattoos are certain to draw your attention – they can hardly go unnoticed.

Below, we have compiled the 10 more iconic tattoos that this artist features in his Instagram account, for your eyes only.

Take a look and, who knows, maybe you will soon be purchasing a ticket to Toulouse, where his studio is located.

1. ButterFish

This tattoo changes form depending on whether the wearer’s legs are stretched or bent. What at the beginning looks like a (sad) fish, as the person stretches the leg, starts opening its wings and turning into a butterfly.

2. BeetleFly

This one looks like a normal beetle when the wearer’s leg is bent. As the person stretches their leg, a butterfly is unfolded with its wings opening, and three creepy eyes appearing underneath them.

3. Stairway

This at first looks like a plain old fly, but- once again- one soon realizes that it is much more than that. The stretched leg reveals a butterfly under whose wings there is a stairway. Where it leads is unknown.

4. More than just a frog

This tattoo doesn’t involve stretching and bending, but it still is an optical illusion. It might seem like a face blowing air, but a closer look will also reveal a frog looking upwards.

5. Skull

What initially looks like a skull, when the legs are stretched becomes a rabbit. Disturbing? Maybe so, but still amazing.

6. Fish

This one is “just” a fish, but what makes it special is that it becomes smaller or larger, depending on whether the arm is folded or stretched.

7. Creepy Butterfly

A beetle? A butterfly? A monster? Whatever this is, the way it unfolds is mesmerizing.

8. Dystopic monkey

This scary creature seems like it has a life of its own. The way it bends and stretches makes it look as rel as it gets.

9. Hammerhead

Not a normal hammerhead shark, of course. Rather, a hammer-headed creature that reveals a creepy eye when the arm is stretched.

10. Call me Batman

In this case, the arm features a sleeping bat when it’s folded, while a huge bat with open wings is revealed when the arm is stretched.

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We think these are so cool – and we could look at them all day.

There are some even more impressive piece of body art by Van Hillik in the video down below – so make sure you check it out!

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Article Sources:

Instagram – @veksvanhilliktattoo

Wikipedia – “Tattoo”

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By Irene Markianou

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Irene Markianou is a contributor at SBLY Media.