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Tattoo Terminology You Should Know – Best Tattoo Artists Toronto

tattooed women holding leaves

There is a lot of terminology that is used by tattoo artists and it’s important that you become familiar with it before heading in for your tattoo. When you can understand the lingo of the tattooing industry you won’t have to continually interrupt the artist that is doing the tattoo asking what certain words mean. Expand your knowledge of tattooing by reading through the terminology that is commonly used in tattoo studios.

Top Tattoo Artists in Toronto

The top tattoo artists in Toronto are familiar with these words and use them commonly. Anyone that is interested in getting a tattoo cannot only learn about the terminology that these tattoo artists use but learn more about the industry in general by reading through this list. The terms listed below range from information about the tools used to design techniques and much more.

Toronto Tattoo Artists

Here are the terms you need to know that Toronto tattoo artists commonly use:

Aftercare – A new tattoo needs specialized care to ensure proper healing of the area and to prevent an infection. Toronto tattoo artist will provide you with specific instructions for aftercare that you must follow. The aftercare recommended will be based on what part of the body has been tattooed and what type of tattoo it is.

Antiseptic – This is a product used by tattoo artists that is applied before doing any work. It will remove any contaminants such as viruses and bacteria on the skin. Rubbing alcohol is commonly used after the area has been washed with a gentle skin cleanser.

Apprentice – Many tattoo studios have apprentices working with them. They are being supervised by established artists and learning the craft under the guidance of a professional. It can take years for an apprentice to become a fully-fledged tattoo artist and be able to work on his own.

Autoclave – All of the equipment except for the needles are sterilized in an autoclave. This machine uses a combination of high pressure and steam to sterilize the equipment before and after tattooing. The needles used, on the other hand, have never been used before and once they have been used they will be thrown out.

Biomechanical – This is a tattooing style that is commonly known as “biomech” in the tattoo industry. The tattoo is usually drawn freehand and will often resemble a cyborg or a robot. The piece is designed based on the body flow of the client.

Black and Grey – Black and grey is another common tattoo style that only uses water and black ink. A darker black is used for the outline of the tattoo while the black ink is watered down to create grey highlighting and shading. There are also pre-made washes in grey available for this style.

Body Suit – This is a nickname given to somebody that has the majority of the body covered with tattoos.

Canvas – Canvas is a term that is commonly used by the best tattoo artists Toronto and it refers to the skin. Before any work is done, the skin can be considered to be a blank canvas.

Carving – This is another word for tattooing. If you hear the tattoo artist say the word, don’t worry. You are going to be tattooed, not carved.

Clean Room – This is a closed office space or room in a tattoo studio where the equipment is sterilized and cleaned. This is where the autoclave and other cleaning materials would be kept.

Cover-up Tattoo – A cover-up tattoo completely covers another older tattoo that is no longer wanted by the owner or has faded. This is an art-form in itself and you should be looking for experienced Toronto tattoo artists to get it done.

Custom Tattoo – This is a design that is one-of-a-kind and created just for you. If you have a photo of something you’d like to have tattooed, bring it along with you for your appointment. Otherwise, you can ask the tattoo artist to create something customized for you if you like his style of artistry.

Dermis – You may hear a tattoo artists refer to the dermis and this is the second layer of skin cells that lie below the first layer, the epidermis. A permanent tattoo is created by injecting ink directly into the dermis since this layer takes longer to rejuvenate than the epidermis.

Dot Work – If you are looking for an abstract design then you will choose this one. Lines are more commonly seen but some tattoo artists can use dots with different sizes to make a design. They are often seen in small tattoos and are commonly placed on the hand.

Fine Line – This is a trending design form where fine lines are created with a single needle. You’ll see this style in minimalistic tattoos and delicate tattoos. It is also commonly seen in typewritten or handwritten tattoos.

Flash Tattoo – A flash tattoo is completely opposite from a custom tattoo. This type of tattoo is pre-designed and you may see them on Internet sites or even in a book of tattoos at the studio.

Flat Tattoo Needles – These are needles that appear in a flat line on a bar and they are commonly used by the top tattoo artists Toronto. They are usually used to create geometric tattoos.

Fresh Tattoo – This term refers to a new tattoo that hasn’t fully healed.

Ornamental Tattoo – The ornamental tattoo style is based on a colour scheme, body flow, geometric shapes and a decorative design versus an actual subject.

Pneumatic Tattoo Machine – This machine uses air compressors that make the needles go up and down. Rotary and coil tattoo machines are also commonly used.

Realism – Realism is the art of replicating a photo and is often used for portraits in black and grey. It can look extremely real when you use top tattoo artists Toronto to get it done.

Saturation – This is the amount of colour and ink that has successfully absorbed into the skin.

Scratcher – This is a nickname for people that are doing tattoos on the side without any formal training or apprenticing. They are not tattoo artists and should be avoided at all costs.

Sharps Container – The needles and any blades used are deposited into this biohazard container and then disposed of properly. The contents inside are considered to be medical waste.

Sleeve – You have probably already seen people that have an entire arm or leg tattooed. If the entire arm has been done then it is a sleeve and if the entire leg has been done it is a leg sleeve.

Tattoo Touch-up – When a tattoo is faded and requires new ink this is called a touch-up tattoo.

Now that you know these terms you’ll be better able to follow along with your tattoo artist when getting a tattoo. If you’re looking for the best tattoo artists Toronto please visit our website at hontattoo.com or call us directly at 905-604-5102.

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What Tattoo Styles Are Available at a Tattoo Studio Toronto?

hand with floral tattoos

Tattoos have been around for many years and used as a part of self-expression. There are a number of different tattoo styles available at a tattoo studio Toronto and when you work with a professional, experienced tattoo artist you’ll be able to choose the style you like the best. The style used is as unique as the person that is getting it done and it is certainly a permanent, lifelong commitment.

Take a look at the styles listed below to see just how wide and varied your options are.

Classic Americana

This classic tattoo can be considered to be old-school with old outlines featuring images with colour. Many of the classic Americana images feature daggers, roses, hearts, animals, female figures, nautical imagery and ocean images. This style first became popular back in the 1930s and it remains a permanent fixture in the tattoo industry. It may also be called a traditional tattoo and it’s what would probably first come to mind when you think of a Navy sailor sporting a tattoo.

Neo Traditional Style

These types of tattoos are inspired by the traditional tattoos that come with finer lines and bold colours. They are a mix of old and new and they come together perfectly. Overall, the neo traditional style tattoos look more lifelike than their predecessors.

Abstract Tattoos

An abstract tattoo takes its inspiration from surrealist painters from the past. The term abstract refers to ideas without any physical form. This type of art is layered and complex and doesn’t really have any type of structure. They are open to the artist’s interpretation and often carry a personal meaning.

New School Tattoos

Imagine a comic that has been tattooed on your body. New school tattoos feature a world of imagination and there are often vividly coloured caricature animals appearing in the tattoos.

3-D Tattoos

These are tattoos that grab the attention of anyone viewing them. 3-D tattoos bring images to life and are the next level in the world of tattooing. Anything can be portrayed in a 3-D style including geometric shapes, cartoon characters and much more. If you are interested in getting this sort of tattoo you will need to work with an experienced 3-D tattoo artist.

Tribal Tattoos

These have been around since the dawn of tattoos and are available in many different styles. Some of the most popular tribal styles include Native American, Polynesian and many others.

Trash Polka

The trash polka style is gaining in popularity and has become a trend in 2020. It combines realism and imagery that is abstract. The trash refers to smears and smudges that are present in the tattoo, which provide a chaotic look. They are often presented in red and black, similar to the tattoos that were worn by ancient Egyptians.

Japanese Tattoos

These have long been a favourite for many tattoo enthusiasts. These types of tattoos date back centuries and are popular around the world. Japanese tattoos generally feature large images covering the legs, arms or the back.

Ambigram Tattoo Styles

When you are looking for a unique tattoo style think of ambigram tattoos. They feature words with a lettering design that is unique since the words can be read in the same way from various viewpoints. This style is not as popular as it once was, which gives you the opportunity to choose a tattoo that will be quite different from the other more common styles that are trending today.

Anatomical Tattoos

Think of the anatomy when you think of this style. These tattoos feature images of body parts and appear to be very realistic. Anatomical images may include bones, teeth, organs and much more.

Watercolour Style

The watercolour style has been trending recently. They are beautiful and delicate images featuring no outline or a minimal outline with the colours flowing over the skin.

Blackwork Tattoos

These are tattoos that use black ink and they are quite inspired by Polynesian tattoos worn by tribal members. They are often surreal images with subjects that come from horror stories.

Black and Grey Tattoo Toronto

Black and grey tattoos have been extremely popular in 2020 and are expected to be trending as we move into 2021. They can be done in any type of style but the images are presented in grey and black with a variety of different shades of grey appearing in the design.

Realism Tattoo Toronto

A realism tattoo is one that looks realistic. They can be done in black and grey or in colour. This would be the best option to choose when you want your tattoo to look as real as possible.

Silhouette Tattoos

These are shadow or silhouette tattoos that are done using grey and white shading. They are minimalistic in nature and look real but don’t have a lot of detail.

Portrait Style

These are realistic tattoos of a person that are absolutely stunning to look at when they are done by an exceptional artist. They are also available in both black and grey or in colour. They are not abstract in any way but rather feature a head design that is realistic and it appears sophisticated and complex.

Geometric Tattoos

Choose this style when you’re looking for a geometric design that can range from simple to elaborate. Everyday items can also turned into geometric images and the possibilities are virtually endless with this type of tattoo. The only limit to what you can create with this style is your own imagination.

When it comes to tattoos, there are countless different styles that you can choose from. Hopefully the styles listed above have inspired you to think of the perfect image that you’d like to enjoy as a masterpiece on your body. Next it’s time to look for the best tattoo artists in a tattoo studio Toronto.

When you’re looking for the best of the best consider Hon Tattoo first. Find out more about us by browsing through our website at hontattoo.com and fill in the contact form if you would like to schedule an appointment. You can also call us directly at 905-604-5102 to speak to a professional and experienced tattoo artist.

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Tattoo Artists Toronto – Where Does It Hurt the Least to Get a Tattoo?

tattoo needle against skin of an arm

If you have never received a tattoo before or if you have a tattoo and are wondering where it would hurt the least to get one, here is the information you need. It’s hard to define the amount of pain that a person will experience when getting a tattoo since everyone reacts to pain differently. As well, getting tattooed in places that have more nerves will generally cause more pain than other places on the body.

You can expect that getting a tattoo will be painful to one degree or another. The top layer of the skin is pierced repeatedly by a sharp needle. Different pain levels are experienced by individuals but in general there are different areas of the body that can be described as being the least painful places to get a tattoo.

Tattoo Shop Toronto – Anecdotal Evidence

There has never been any scientific studies done to isolate the different parts of the body that would hurt the least or the most in terms of getting a tattoo. There is a lot of anecdotal evidence, however, which demonstrates the most painful and the least painful body areas. As a Toronto tattoo shop that has been operating for years, we can tell you the areas that you could expect to hurt more than others based on feedback from our customers and on our own experiences as professional tattoo artists Toronto.

In general, areas that often cause the least amount of pain during a tattoo are not located close to any bones or nerve endings and have some fat padding, muscles or tight skin.

Tattooing in Toronto – Areas That Hurt the Least

There are several areas that won’t generally cause as much pain as others and they include:

  • Lower and upper back
  • Calves
  • Outer bicep
  • Outer shoulders
  • Forearms
  • Outer upper thigh

 

Lower and upper back – You can expect to receive low to moderate pain when you get a tattoo on the lower or upper back since there aren’t a lot of nerve endings in these areas. The skin is thick and isn’t close to nerve endings or bones.

Calves – The calves have a lot of muscle and fat and don’t have many nerve endings. The pain level can range from low to moderately low.

Outer bicep – In this area you can also expect to receive a low to a moderately low amount of pain. There aren’t many nerve endings and there is a lot of muscle in the outer bicep area.

Outer shoulders – There are very few nerve endings found on the outer shoulders and it has very thick skin. This is one of the places where you could expect a lot less pain versus other areas on the body.

Forearms – With minimum nerve endings, the forearm has a lot of thick skin and muscles. As with the other areas listed above, the pain would usually be ranging from low to moderately low.

Outer upper thigh – There is a lot of padding and fat in the outer upper thighs and this is one of the best places to get a tattoo if you are afraid of the pain. Usually the pain threshold is between low and moderately low.

Tattoo Areas That Hurt the Most

Here is a list of the different areas that you should expect to hurt the most when receiving a tattoo:

  • Inner bicep
  • Stomach
  • Hands and feet
  • Fingers and toes
  • Lips and face
  • Spine and neck
  • Hips
  • Back of the knees
  • Kneecap/elbows
  • Groin area
  • Breasts and nipples
  • Ankles
  • Shins
  • Rib cage
  • Armpit

 

When you look at the list of areas that hurt the most, the armpits stand out as being the most painful. In fact, many tattoo artists will recommend not getting a tattoo done there due to the pain factor.

In second place is the rib cage for the majority of people. Getting a tattoo here can cause severe pain since the skin is very thin and there isn’t a lot of fat on the ribs. As well, while the tattoo is being done you will be breathing, which in turn moves the skin on the rib cage. This can cause intense pain and like the rib cage, a tattoo there is not recommended. The shin bones and the ankle bones also have thin skin layers and are just about as painful to get as one on the rib cage.

The groin area, the breasts and the nipples are all very sensitive areas and getting a tattoo in these places can be extremely painful. They are full of nerve endings as is the area located at the back of the knees. You can expect to receive pain that ranges from high up to severe. The same holds true with the spine and neck.

There are also a lot of nerve endings in your lips, face, ears and head and there is not a lot of fat content in these areas either. Getting a tattoo on your lips can lead to bruising, swelling and bleeding.

Other Determining Factors

There are other factors involved when it comes to pain tolerance and what you could reasonably expect. Age, weight, gender and other factors can play a role but it hasn’t been scientifically determined what type of role each one plays. In general though, loose skin and older skin may be more sensitive to pain than younger, tight skin.

All of the above painful body areas should be approached with care. If you have any questions, turn to a professional at Hon Tattoo, a tattoo shop in Toronto. The tattoo artist can give helpful suggestions regarding the placement of tattoos and the type of pain experience you could expect.

It’s important to remember, however, that there are people getting tattoos every day around the world and they are willing to experience some pain in order to get the benefits. Tattoos are wonderful artistry and when you want one it should just be a matter of determining how much pain you’d be willing to withstand to get one. After all, once a tattoo is done, the pain will be gone soon and you’ll have a beautiful piece of art to proudly display.

Feel free to call us with any questions you may have or book an appointment at 905-604-5102. You can also reach our Toronto tattoo studio directly through our website at www.hontattoo.com.

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Anthony

What made you want to become a Tattoo Artist?
I wanted to become a tattoo artist because creating art that someone will wear for the rest of their life is a fulfilling experience.

Where or who do you turn to for inspiration?
I source my inspiration from life. I love to explore new places and learn new things. And James Jean.

Tell us about your experience training as a Tattoo Artist? Who made the largest impact on your artistic progress?
My mentor Master Shark has made the largest impact on my skills as a tattoo artist. He has shared knowledge and skills that would have taken years to discover on my own, if ever!! Transitioning from home studio to shop has been the most important aspect of my development as a tattoo artist. Hon tattoo shop allows artists to exchange and share ideas, thoughts, skills etc. It literally is the best place for growth.

How many Tattoos do you have & which is your favourite?
I have several, all but one were done myself for practice.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
My advice is find an apprenticeship immediately. The time you’ll save learning is invaluable. And in my opinion, drawing is just as important, if not more, than tattooing itself.

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CT

What made you want to become a Tattoo Artist?
After high school, I realized I wanted to be an artist when I was in college learning art. I met someone who was a tattoo artist already and he gave me more information on how to become a tattoo artist and decided to try to pursue it. I love making art and the artist lifestyle and that’s why I like being a tattoo artist.

Where or who do you turn to for inspiration?
Mostly nature or Asian themed paintings. Others people’s art and just practice in general

Tell us about your experience training as a Tattoo Artist? Who made the largest impact on your artistic progress?
It has been a long journey. It’s been stressful and fun, Shark has made a big impact since we have spent the last 6-7 years together, but as well as other artist who I have met on my journey.

How many tattoos do you have and which is your favourite?
I have about 8-9 but they are pretty large pieces, I like the sleeve on my left arm a lot since it is the most visible one, most of the time.

What do you find yourself doing after a long day at the studio?
I usually go work out, cook, eat then start drawing.

Do you have any mentors you look up to?
I look up to anyone with strong art ability and sense of design. Anyone I can learn from is a good mentor.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Work hard, study hard, learn from everyone and have fun.

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Peter Weilharter

What made you want to become a Tattoo Artist?
During my BFA program at University, I always showcased an interest in tattooing. It wasn’t until I graduated that I began to consider creating artwork that focused on translating fine art to suitable tattoo designs. I wanted to transform this interest into a tangible reality and become a part of it.

Where or who do you turn to for inspiration?
Inspiration constantly changes as style and environment change, but in my current state of mind, I often seek inspiration from contemporary art and design. From my experience, I find that borrowing from alternative forms of art enables tattooing to be seen through a different lens and creates new possibilities.

Tell us about your experience training as a Tattoo Artist? Who made the largest impact on your artistic progress?
Training as a tattoo artist truly tests your strengths and weaknesses as an artist. I would be lying if I said it was an easy path, but it’s the hardship that enables yourself to achieve new heights.

I find it difficult to pinpoint a specific person when it comes to expressing who has made the most substantial impact. I’d instead emphasize the influence of being surrounded by others who have the same drive and motivation to create.

How many tattoos do you have & which is your favourite?
In total, I have three tattoos. The largest being a combination of two that consist of the lower half of my left leg and the third being on my right ankle. In terms of favorites, I like to consider each of them as being equal because they represent a landmark in my life being my apprenticeship.

What do you find yourself doing after a long day at the studio?
Often I prepare the rough draft for the next client to keep ahead of the game. But on the off occasion where I have free time, taking a moment to relax can be necessary to ensure I’m ready for the next day.

Do you have any mentors you look up to?
Currently, in terms of technical application, design, and presentation, I often pay respect to tattoo artists such as Alex Sorsa, Daniel Silva, and Koray Ozsoy.

Do you have a favourite Tattoo Piece you worked on? If so, why does it stand out to you?
My favorite piece is a lotus with geometric elements. This tattoo stands out to me because of the overall success in terms of technical application. Furthermore, elegance is an element that I aim towards showcasing in my designs, and I feel this tattoo is a step in the right direction.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Never stop drawing and keep pushing. Regardless of the size, complexity, or price of a tattoo, treat each with equal care. Everything you produce is a representation of yourself, and getting out of your comfort zone is merely a part of the process. Furthermore, your character is as important as the work you produce. Don’t forget to express and continuously improve your self-representation, as it exists simultaneously with your tattooing.

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Shem

What made you want to become a Tattoo Artist?
For me it’s not necessarily tattooing that I wanted to get into. It was my love for drawing anime. I always drew anime characters my whole life. Then with a little help, I thought “Hey I think tattooing anime characters in my style would be amazing.”

Where or who do you turn to for inspiration?
I find inspiration from people mostly. What really gives me inspiration is seeing artist’s grow and the feeling of not being left behind or dragging them down.

Tell us about your experience training as a Tattoo Artist? Who made the largest impact on your artistic progress?
It. Was. Rough. With both time and skill. At the start of my apprenticeship my drawings itself needed work and at the same time I was working another job. Which soon after I quit to pursue tattooing full-time. With constructive criticism I was able to better my designs and find an anime style of my own. But at the same time no matter what level you are at. Continue trying to find ways to improve your art skills. I can say each tattoo artist from my shop made a huge impact in different ways of my progress. With all different insights of their own.

How many tattoos do you have & which is your favourite?
I have a full-sleeve done with a connecting left back shoulder piece in Asian style. Also a half sleeve and chest piece on the right side of anime characters. I love all my tattoos. But if I were to pick. It would be my half sleeve of anime characters because it represents me more on my personality than the others.

What do you find yourself doing after a long day at the studio?
My main thing would be just watching anime. But I also do love watching movies or just going out to eat with my girlfriend or friends.
As funny as it sounds. I just watch anime. Besides my love for anime story’s and sense of adventure. I just need to know also what’s the new hype with new anime’s or even what’s the new update with already trending anime’s.

Do you have any mentors you look up to?
My main mentor is Master Shark. He took me in and taught me so much with art and tattooing. But I also have to give credit to the other artists in the shop. They also showed me how I can improve not only my tattooing but my drawings and colour theory.

Do you have a favourite Tattoo Piece you worked on? If so, why does it stand out to you?
I have 2 favourites. One in colour and one in black and grey. The one in colour is my super saiyan red Vegeta because it was a huge turning point of me putting all my colour theory into this one tattoo. In which I love the result. And for the black and grey. It would be the Zoro from One Piece because I was still learning black and grey shading but at the same time it’s my first time doing a fully dot shading tattoo. I was super happy on how it turned out.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Don’t just tattoo thinking it’s an easy way out. It’s not. You need passion within tattooing in order to succeed. Don’t try to learn tattooing on your own. Seek out an apprenticeship from a reputable shop. There’s so many things you can’t learn from teaching yourself. And lastly don’t half-ass learning to tattoo. In this industry it’s either your fully in it or not.

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Emily Zhan

What made you want to become a Tattoo Artist?
My overall passion around art inspired me to become a Tattoo Artist.

Where or who do you turn to for inspiration?
Lots of my favorite singers and artists have tattoos which show their attitudes towards life. This is a huge inspiration for me to explore more beauty in daily life through tattoos.

Tell us about your experience training as a Tattoo Artist? Who made the largest impact on your artistic progress?
It is not easy to be a tattoo artist. Hardworking and being patient are very important during this process. I have to believe that I could do it and keep practice every single day to make myself qualified enough to tattoo on my clients. All of my coworkers impact me a lot. Compared to those famous artists from the internet, my coworkers showed me in person about how to become a professional artist and how to keep moving during hard times.

How many Tattoo’s do you have & which is your favourite?
I have two tattoos on me so far. One is an eye on my calf, and the other is seven moon states in my arm. I love both of them. There is so much information on the news coming up every day, making us feel confused. The eye reminds me of focusing on what I really want in life. The different moons states stand for different situations in daily life. We should know everything is going to happen, no matter if it’s good or bad. We can’t change what life gives us, what we can do is handle it properly and keep positive.

What do you find yourself doing after a long day at the studio?
I am always educating myself as a professional Tattoo Artist. Tattoo is part of my life so a long day’s work is the normal lifestyle I chose. After understanding this, I could find comfort in myself and enjoy a bath or watch tv.

Do you have any mentors you look up to?
Yes. In the tattoo technique area, I look up to master shark, lousa and other professional coworkers. They show me everything in person to help me understand how to tattoo. However, tattoos are more than technique. We should have a healthy mind to keep moving on, so I find lots of mentors through reading.

How do you stay on top of new trends?
Keep watching. But nobody could stay on the top. When you catch it, the top trends change.

Do you have a favourite Tattoo Piece you worked on? If so, why does it stand out to you?
A watercolor style rose on the calf. This tattoo is more about imagination and inspiration.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Believe in yourself.

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Debbie

What made you want to become a Tattoo Artist?
In the beginning I didn’t really start out by wanting to become a tattoo artist. I was in my 4th year in an art university and was so focused in school but at the same time I needed a part time job as well. So i was searching for a part time job and I found out that hontattoo was looking for an apprentice and i thought it would be a good part time job since it relates with art

Where or who do you turn to for inspiration?
For sure our boss Shark. I’m not saying this because he is my boss but i have worked in many places but working with Shark for 2 years together, he not only taught me about the Tattoo industry but also about social life and business.

Tell us about your experience training as a Tattoo Artist?
For sure it can be rough. I would say being a Tattoo Artist is one of the toughest careers that one can choose. I will be explaining more in depth in the last question but it is worth it. I would say all artist and managers have really impacted my artistic progress since they consistently encouraged me to improve and work harder.

How many Tattoos do you have & which is your favourite?
I have 10 tattoos in total. I would say my favorite tattoo is the tiger on my back shoulder. It is not complete yet but it was done by one of my favorite Artists.

What do you find yourself doing after a long day at the studio?
Relaxing and chilling with my friends. Even though at work, socializing takes a huge part but chilling and socializing with friends who have known me for a long time helps me relax mentally.

Which artists do you look up to?
Master Shark, Charles Saucier from Imperial tattoo and bran.d tattoo.

How do you stay on top of new trends?
I always look at the new posts with my favorite Artists on instagram.

Do you have a favourite Tattoo Piece you worked on? If so, why does it stand out to you?
Micro joker tattoo on a forearm. It required a lot more attention and focus to capture all the little details but also needed to focus on the skin – not to overwork the skin.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
Advice that I would give is that in the Tattoo industry, you can’t really survive in this field without a huge passion for it. Tattooing requires many different skills. From the basic – drawing, understanding the skin, or understanding all the Tattoo related supplies. Then to the complication – understanding and communicating with the clients properly, always building up your skills, or how to sell your work using social media. Tattooing in general is very mentally and physically exhausting but if you have the passion for it, it will keep you going.

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Chris Lee

What made you want to become a Tattoo Artist?
A coworker I used to work with recommended a tattoo, so I got pulled into this business without much knowledge of what it was.

Where or who do you turn to for inspiration?
I take daily feeds from instagram/pinterest posts for inspiration.

Tell us about your experience training as a Tattoo Artist? Who made the largest impact on your artistic progress?
It was very strange and new but it got better. Shark helps new artists to get better so he’s the one.

How many Tattoos do you have & which is your favourite?
I have a palm sized face of an eagle on my leg, that’s the only one so far, I will get more eventually to find out.

What do you find yourself doing after a long day at the studio?
I usually just go and work on the next project but I do watch/read informative content online whenever I have the chance.

Do you have any mentors you look up to?
I have Shark and coworkers as mentors.

How do you stay on top of new trends?
I take inspirations from popular instagram posts of artists/influencers.

Do you have a favourite Tattoo Piece you worked on? If so, why does it stand out to you?
I like the recent hand tattoo I did recently, it’s just very different compared to other stuff I did so it was a unique experience.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?
It’s not as fancy as what most people would expect these days, there’s tons of responsibility and efforts that you can’t just simply ignore. But sometimes it’s rewarding and feels like it’s worth having this experience