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The work · realism

Realism tattoos

Black-and-grey realism and micro-realism — portraits, figures and detailed pieces built up with soft shading and depth.

What is black-and-grey realism?

Black-and-grey realism recreates portraits, figures and objects as if photographed, using only black ink diluted into a range of greys for soft shading and depth. Micro-realism applies the same technique at small sizes. These pieces take longer than linework, so larger realism is usually split over more than one session.

Good to know

  • Best placements: upper arm, forearm, calf and back, where there's a flat area for detail.
  • Sessions: larger pieces are usually split over more than one appointment.
  • How it ages: soft greys stay crisp longest with sun protection.

Have an idea in this style? Send references, placement and a rough size on Instagram.

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