REALISM.
BLACK & GREY.
A portrait that looks like the person. An animal with a gaze. A mask with depth. Realism is built from light and shadow instead of outlines — and needs time, a placement that fits, and a good reference photo.
What we work in realism
Portraits of people — parents, children, grandparents, faces you want with you. Pet portraits. Animals: lion, wolf, tiger, snake, owl. Figures and mythology: Medusa, angel, Spartan, ancient Greece, hannya and Japanese masks, Joker, clocks, hands, skulls. Religious themes. And large compositions — half or full sleeve, back, thigh — that tie many elements into one story.
- Portrait
- Pet
- Lion
- Wolf
- Medusa
- Angel
- Hannya
- Skull
- Sleeve
Black & grey or colour
Black & grey — black and gray, as most people search for it — is the foundation of realism: shades of black, from dense to almost transparent. It ages evenly and reads from a distance. Colour adds intensity — a red, a blue in the eyes — but needs more care in the sun. We'll tell you what suits the subject and the spot.
The reference is half the tattoo
A realistic tattoo is only as good as the photo it starts from. We need a clean, sharp image with good light and no filters — especially for portraits. We'll work on it together: what stays, what goes, how it transfers to skin.
Placement and size
Realism needs room. Micro realism — realism at a very small size — looks impressive fresh and loses detail over the years; we'll tell you where the limit is. A portrait below a certain size loses the detail that makes it look like the person. Forearm, upper arm, calf, thigh, back and chest are the spots that let it breathe. A sleeve is designed as a whole from the start — even if it's done in parts.
Sessions and healing
A medium realistic piece takes one long session or two shorter ones. Sleeves and backs take several, with weeks of healing in between. The soft shading of black & grey fully opens up once the tattoo has healed — which is why we ask for a healed photo, and why a touch-up, if needed, is part of the job.
How big does a realistic portrait need to be?+
Big enough for the eyes to hold detail — usually palm-sized and up. We'll show you what fits the spot.
What photo do you need for a portrait?+
Clean, sharp, good light, no filters. The better the reference, the better the tattoo.
Black & grey or colour for realism?+
Black & grey ages more evenly and reads from a distance. Colour gives intensity and needs more sun protection. It depends on the subject.
How many sessions does a sleeve take?+
Several, with weeks of healing in between. You'll know roughly how many from the start.
Do you do pet portraits?+
Yes — from a clean photo, in black & grey or fine line.
Will you fix it if something doesn't match the reference?+
You see the tattoo at every stage. A touch-up after healing, if needed, is part of the job.
TELL US
WHAT'S ON
YOUR MIND.
The appointment is confirmed by the studio.