Strike

Ethan's collector asked for a viper with its head on the hand and its mouth open, and specified the part that makes this one work: ornamental pattern mixed into the scales rather than scales alone. Ethan gives the head full realism, fangs down and tongue out across the back of the hand, then lets the body climb the forearm as a run of geometric panels. The scales fade in and out of the pattern instead of stopping at a line, so the two treatments read as one animal. He leaves bare skin between the coils, which is what keeps a piece running from the knuckles to the elbow from closing the arm in. Two sessions, done over two consecutive days in August 2026. By Ethan Hideo.

By Ethan Hideo at Eden Body Art Studios.

Styles: Realism, Ornamental.