Holly's Sketchbook

An Online Collection of Sketches, Photos, and Blurbs
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Nov 30
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Maori Tribesman

This is the first picture I drew.  It is of a Maori tribesman.  I didnt think it up, but drew it by looking at an actual picture (I do not have the book source I am sorry).  This Maori tribesman has a moko facial tatoo. I was interested in the ta moko, and moko, so here is a little bit of information about this type of facial tatoo, credit to the Tattoos Blog at http://tatoosblog.com/maori-tatoos/

According to this site, the ta moko, or Maori art form of tattooing, is created by using a chisel rather than a needle to insert ink.  The chisel method creates grooves in the skin rather than a smooth finish like the ink method that we utilize today.  Another interesting fact that I found about the ta moko is that a specialist "would consider the bone structure, and other facial attributes" of the person getting the moko (par 2).  Each moko  is different from the last because it enhances the natural lines and bone structure of the individuals' faces. 

moko = tattoo

ta moko = the process of making the tattoo

Source: New Zealand in History, http://history-nz.org/maori3.html

Click here to download:
Maori.pdf (5.33 MB)
(download)