My Hand-Drawn Tattoo Design Process
Every tattoo I design begins as a pencil sketch on paper. This is how I build your custom ink concept from scratch, layer by patient layer.
A glimpse into my art-making journey, from blank paper to a fully inked piece. This video shows me working on different sections of a large, complex drawing, using both pens and brushes.
A close-up time-lapse of me adding details to a large drawing. You can see me working on the shading of fur, the texture of roots, and the fine lines of a human figure.
A real-time video of me working on the fine details of a drawing. This shows the slow, patient process of building up layers of ink to create shading and depth.
A quick time-lapse of a portrait sketch from my 2017 sketchbook. It shows the progression from a rough outline to a detailed, expressive face using only pencil.
A video of me working on a self-portrait outdoors on my rooftop. It shows my process of using fineliner pens to create intricate textures and patterns, even in a non-traditional studio setting.
A short video showing a drawing I did on the page of an old book while in Kasar. I often find inspiration in my surroundings and enjoy experimenting with different surfaces.
A time-lapse from my 2018 sketchbook, showing how I combine watercolor washes with my ink drawings. I start with abstract splashes of color and then build my intricate line work on top.
A time-lapse of a pencil shading study. This shows how I build up form and texture using different grades of pencils before I even think about adding ink.
The finished design of a pained, god-like figure, before the addition of color. The clean black and white line work stands on its own as a powerful tattoo concept.
The same design, but with a splash of red ink added to represent blood and pain. This shows how a small amount of color can dramatically change the mood of a piece.
About The Artistic Process
Most people do not see the hours of pencil shading that happen before I ever touch a pen to paper. For every design, I start by mapping out the composition with graphite, ensuring the flow works with the anatomy before I commit to the permanent lines of the final ink illustration.
My process is entirely manual. I do not use digital shortcuts because I believe the best tattoo concepts have a soul that only real paper and ink can capture. It begins with your story, which I translate into symbols—eyes, roots, mythical creatures—before I even sharpen a pencil.
Why Hand-Drawn Matters
I work primarily in black and white because it captures the raw, surreal nature of the concepts I explore. Whether it is a small flash design or a large-scale sleeve concept, I spend extensive time on dotwork and stippling. This builds texture that translates beautifully when a professional tattoo artist eventually applies the ink to your skin.
What You Receive
When you work with me, you get more than a drawing. You receive a high-resolution, 300 DPI scan of the hand-inked artwork and a separate, clean stencil file. This ensures your chosen tattoo artist can accurately transfer my vision onto you. If we are working on a large-scale piece, I provide a preliminary pencil sketch first so we can perfect the flow together before I finalize the inking.
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