The 2017 movie adaptation of Stephen King’s It laid the freak show on heavy.
Bill Skarsgard’s portrayal of Pennywise the Dancing Clown stole the film and his slinking murderous clown provides a brilliant catalyst for horror ink.
Pennywise tattoo ideas come mostly from the most recent film, in hyper-realistic cinematic form, cartoon caricature, or even abstract artistic interpretations.
Fans of legendary author Stephen King, horror movie fans, and collectors who enjoy subversive body art have since opted for Pennywise ink ideas.
Scary Skarsgard even lived up to the tremendous Tim Curry Pennywise that I grew up with from the mini-series version – the benchmark for horror clowns.
If you don’t like clowns (and there are millions out there with clown phobia), especially evil clowns, look away now because these top 45 best Pennywise tattoos veer from discomfiting to downright chilling.
Want a balloon?
1. Black and Gray Tattoos
Pennywise as an evil clown looks really sinister in black and gray tattoos, as these images show.
2. Tattoo Ideas for the Hand
These hands sporting the terrifying clown tattoos must pack a hefty punch.
3. New School Pennywise Ink
A red balloon that appears out of nowhere lures It’s victims – as if a creepy clown is not enough. Getting them etched in the vivid colors that characterize new school tattoos is the way to do it.
4. Portrait Style Tattoos
These Pennywise portrait style tattoos definitely aren’t for the faint of heart. You can ask your tattoo artist for advice on where best to place these so that they’d make the greatest impact.
5. Realistic Tattoo Ideas
Pennywise looks so real in these realism style tattoos he seems ready to jump out of the wearer’s skin and devour you.
6. Red Balloon and Pennywise Tattoos
Here are more Pennywise tattoo ideas with the creepy red balloon.
7. Simple Tattoo Ideas
Stephen King fans and horror genre enthusiasts can readily identify these minimalist tattoos. Of course, it’s the murderous clown!
8. Small Tattoo Designs
Small is not necessarily cute. Keeping Pennywise tattoos small can’t reduce the fear that the evil clown instills in children and adults alike. These tattoos are just as scary as the big ones.
9. Neo Traditional Tattoos
Bold lines, vibrant colors, and expressive images are the stuff that neo-traditional tattoos, including these Pennywise designs, are made of.
10. “You’ll Float Too” Designs
Why are Pennywise tattoos so popular?
Stephen King’s It is arguably his finest novel, narrating the story of a group of children from Derry, Maine, and their interactions with the clown Pennywise, 25 years apart.
There have been a mini-series, two films, merch, spin-offs, millions of book sales, and a subsection of popular culture dedicated to scary clowns, with Pennywise the scariest.
Pennywise malevolently takes the ordinary and taps into what scares us, juxtaposing the clown with absolute horror.
What is Pennywise the Clown really?
Pennywise is the clown form of It, a type of billion-year-old shapeshifting creature called a glamor, who feeds on humans every 27 years.
According to the Stephen King Wiki, It (whose other main form is a giant spider – good times) prefers “eating children over adults since they were easier to scare and manipulate. According to the creature, frightened flesh tastes better.”
Who gets Pennywise tattoos?
Generally speaking, Pennywise tattoo collectors include:
- Fans of the book, films, and/or mini-series
- General horror fans with a taste for iconic clown imagery
- People dealing with clown phobias
- Lovers of macabre body art looking to develop themes and ideas
What style Pennywise tattoos are most popular?
The popularity of the cinematic version starring Bill Skarsgard means the hyper-realistic, photograph style tattoos really capture the malevolent essence of Pennywise.
They can be in color or black and gray and incorporate other aspects of the film (like the balloon, or Georgie’s sailboat), but are larger, more heavily detailed pieces able to scare from 50 feet away.
For others, a smaller cartoon image or neo-traditional piece that veers away from the movie clown is a good way to portray Pennywise and to be honest, they’re no less uncomfortable (and clowns don’t bother me as a rule).
How much do photorealistic Pennywise tattoos cost?
The large-sized photograph style Pennywise tattoos are definitely on the expensive end of the pricing spectrum, often needing specialist tattooers to do the style justice.
A maestro of photo tattoo can start at around $300 per hour, with pieces costing anywhere from $1500 for a black and gray piece, up to $3000+ for a color cinematic tattoo.
If you opt for a less glossy approach but still want a quality piece, look for experienced professionals who you feel will bring your tattoo to life skillfully.