Custom tattoos / Black & grey realism

A quieter kind of loud.

Contrast, texture and atmosphere. Realism tattoos that find their expression in light and shadow.

Black and grey portrait tattoo of a woman holding a finger to her lips. — A closer look at the work

Make space for light.

Black and grey realism builds a subject through a range of dark and soft tones. Strong contrast establishes the main forms; gentler transitions describe skin, fabric and the finer surfaces within the image.

Ben’s drawing and painting practice informs this approach. The aim is a composition that reads as a whole while rewarding a closer look at the detail.

Portraits, wildlife and atmosphere.

The portfolio includes the woman’s portrait with a finger at her lips, the Einstein portrait and the classical sculpture piece. Each explores a different balance of expression, texture and contrast.

Wildlife subjects such as the wolf hand tattoo and cat portrait show how direction and texture can create character within a limited palette. View these real examples in the portfolio before discussing your own subject.

Design for the placement.

The space available on the body determines how much detail a design can comfortably hold. Bring your reference photographs, preferred placement and approximate size to the enquiry.

Ben will discuss the composition with you and help shape an idea that fits the area. For a cover-up, the existing tattoo affects what is possible; an initial photograph helps begin that assessment.