Tag: Fine line tattoo

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“Every tattoo is its own story,” interview with tattoo artist Viktoriia

Tattoo artist Viktoriia (@tatts.ivanova) is based in San Francisco at Black Serum Tattoo. Born in a small town in Ukraine, Viktoriia specialises in fine line and floral tattoos. She’s recently started exploring micro realism, and she has fallen in love with the style...

How long have you been tattooing? What made you want to become a tattoo artist?

I have been tattooing for over four and a half years. Tattooing has fascinated me since childhood. I attended art school, always loved drawing, and was intrigued by the idea of tattoos as a form of personal expression. At first, I chose a different path and enrolled at university to study law enforcement, but I soon realised it wasn’t for me.

Everything changed when my mother gave me my first tattoo machine. She has always been my biggest motivator, encouraging me to learn and explore.

What was the experience of tattooing someone for the first time?

The first tattoo I ever made was on a classmate. At that time, I had no formal knowledge — just a machine, a needle and ink. Later, I joined a studio that offered training and spent two weeks there learning the fundamentals. I started with bold lines and was afraid of lettering or fine details. Ironically, those are exactly the things I love most today.

You create a lot of floral and fine-line tattoos, they’re gorgeous. How did you refine your style?

Now my work focuses on fine lines, floral elements, and micro-realism. In many ways, I draw on the experience I gained in art school, where I especially enjoyed working with graphics and pencil drawings, particularly still lifes. My passion for shading, light and shadow has carried over into tattooing: I use those same techniques in floral designs and delicate pieces.

Tattooing so many flowers, you’ve got to have a favourite?

My favourite flowers are hollyhocks, peonies, daffodils and irises. They grew in the garden of my childhood home, and my grandmother, who loved flowers and instilled in me a love for drawing, passed this inspiration on to me.

You’re also exploring micro realism tattooing, can you tell us more about this? What would you love to tattoo?

I am also deeply inspired by micro-realism. I love creating small but highly detailed tattoos that capture light and shadow in a subtle, elegant way. In the future, I want to explore larger floral compositions and continue to develop micro-realism.

What inspires your work?

What inspires me most are my clients and their trust. Their emotions when the piece is finished, their kind words, and the fact that they return for new tattoos — that is my greatest motivation. I also find inspiration in travel, new experiences and connecting with other artists across different styles.

Outside of tattooing, I love drawing and photography. My father gave me my first professional camera when I was twelve. Although photography has remained a hobby, it still inspires the way I see art and detail.

What’s been your proudest moment?

What I am most proud of is the path I have taken. Starting in a small town in Ukraine, I never imagined that one day I would be working in the United States. I am also proud to participate in tattoo conventions as a judge — it is a great honour and a way to contribute to the culture I love.

What was your first tattoo?

My first tattoo on myself was at nineteen — the word “peace.” It was a gift from a friend, dedicated to someone close to me, and over the years it has gained even deeper meaning.

Do you think tattoos have to have a special meaning?

I believe tattoos don’t always need to have a special meaning, but often they do. I have created countless pieces with deep personal significance — matching tattoos for sisters, floral designs in memory of loved ones, words or symbols tied to life stories. Every tattoo is its own story, and it is a privilege for me to help people carry those memories with them.

Thank you Viktoriia for chatting to us and being part of Things & Ink! Follow Viktoriia on Instagram to see more beautiful tattoos.

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“Then and there I understood that tattooing was the missing piece in my life,” interview with tattoo artist Anita Rossi

Italian tattoo artist Anita Rossi (@anitarossitattoo) knew she’d found something special the first time she put ink into skin – getting over her fear of needles in the process! She creates exquisite abstract fine-line tattoos from Namaste Tattoo Studio in Turin, and also travels a lot doing guest spots across Europe and the US. Here, we chat about her love for art history, the exhibitions she‘s been involved in and her plans for the future… Anita, we love your work and we hope that you do too…

When did you first fall in love with tattoos? 

My love for tattoos is a long-lasting love that started when I began drawing. I’ve been into illustrations since my childhood. My mother still has some of my pre-school years drawings on her house walls. In high school, tattooing started developing as an idea in my mind and tattooed people began to attract my attention. In my eyes, they were special people.

During my period at the Accademia di Belle Art in Venice, some course mates and friends asked me to sketch tattoo ideas for them. Then the rumour spread and the requests grew in number. I liked doing it, but I never would have thought I could be the one actually tattooing – I’ve always been afraid of needles!

How and when did you learn to tattoo? 

Some 20 years ago I started hanging out at a tattoo studio and, with all the courage I could find, I eventually made my first tattoo on the owner himself.

As I did it, the emotion I felt is hard to describe, but then and there I understood that tattooing was the missing piece in my life. Ever since then I haven’t stopped doing it. By the way, that first tattoo came out really badly!

‘Ob_scenae’ by Anita shown at Roma, Palazzo Cavallerini Lazzaroni – “La que sabe: tatuatrici che corrono coi lupi” exhibition

You’ve been part of events where you chat about women and tattooing, can you tell us more about this? 

I have participated in many woman/tattoo themed exhibitions alongside other female artists and tattoo artists. In my paintings,  the woman often plays a leading role. This is one of the results of my research into the history of art.

Some of my work has even been displayed in tattoo conventions. I’ve also participated in the Genova Contemporanea at Satura Gallery in Genova, Italy. As well as Ex Cartiera Latina’s Kokeshi Rebel Fest exhibition in Roma.

Last November, the Turin Bookshop Libreria Setsu-bun & Millevolti asked me to chair the conference,  Women and Tattoos: the Belonging of Oneself. We explored the meaning that tattoos have for women,  from a social, cultural and symbolic point of view. The main topic of this first meeting was tattoos seen as personal and spiritual identity, and as an element of role self-determination in a man/woman context. I am interested in such cultural moments, as noticing the mere beauty of an inked body without any gender distinction is yet to be achieved. 

Visioni di Nike (Nike’s perspective) – Mondo Bizzarro Gallery , Roma – “Vis Dearum ” exhibition

Have you seen the tattoo industry change while you have been tattooing? 

Of course! When I started there weren’t many female tattoo artists, but, throughout the years, I’ve seen many women approaching this industry.  

A vital change has taken place concerning the materials, too. Inks and pen machines have evolved to  become tools fit for multiple styles and skills. My hands are tiny and the chance of using tiny tools is more than a little relieving. 

Do you think the industry is doing enough to be inclusive? What would you like to see? 

The tattoo industry is made of the same people as the society we live in. Acceptance and inclusion are qualities of intellect and art works (including tattoos) and should be genderless. I crave more intellectual freedom, I wish we didn’t ask who made a tattoo before liking it. I would like it if there was more artistic culture and, above all, we stopped exploiting women’s body.

We love your fine-line tattoos, how did these come to be? 

They rose from my need to move the product of my mind from paper to skin. My work always sticks to the idea of a sketch, a frame, a memory of the individual’s personal story. I care about the technique and supporting the skin.

I have always been attracted to details and the ability to insert them in paintings. They are crafted with intense amounts of focus and lasting attention, and curiosity of the beyond. I would (and still do) spend hours staring at Bosch’s and Francis Bacon’s paintings, Schiele’s sketches, Tina Modoc and Sarah Moon’s pictures.

How do you like to work with clients? Do you prefer flash or custom work? 

I prefer to create personalised work. I think tattooing means expressing each customer’s unique story. I like people to feel free to make me part of their thinking and of what they want their tattoo to focus on.

I need to meet the client in person, through a video call or, of it’s not possible, communicate via email, so that we can deepen our ideas before proceeding with the drawing.

Is there anything you’d love to tattoo?

I prefer animal and botanical subjects implemented with abstract lines. I generally can’t think of a specific subject, but I prefer to work on concepts developing through the exchange with the customer, who usually gives me carte blanche.

Obviously, if you want to please me, just ask me to include some elements of art history!

What are your guest spot plans and how can people book with you?

Namaste Tattoo Studio in Turin, Italy, is my home, though I have an artistic visa to work in the US. My American base is Black Serum in San Francisco but, in the last two years, I’ve worked as a guest in New York, LA and Miami. I guess I’m going to go back there, but I would like to see other cities, too.

Next autumn, I am participating in a convention in Thailand; it’s my first time and I’m super excited! From next year, I would also like to get back to some guest experiences closer to home: Amsterdam, Vienna, Marseille, Paris, Valencia and Munich.

We can’t wait to see what and where you tattoo next. Follow: anitarossitattoo

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“I blend my clients’ stories with my own artistic vision to create unique designs that resonate with them,” tattoo artist Lass

Tattoo artist Lass, @lasstattoo, tattoos her ornamental style from Allskins studio in Hamburg, Germany, which looks like a high-end spa. She’s been tattooing for more than eight years and specialises in botanical and ornamental tattoos. Collectors often come to her with themes related to significant moments in their life and she adores diving deep into their inspirations to translate feelings into beautiful floral designs…

What made you fall in love with tattooing?

Tattooing has always felt like a calling, but I vividly remember the moment it truly captured my heart. Growing up in Kazakhstan, I was fascinated by the stories that tattoos told – each one a unique expression of identity and culture. I was drawn to a local artist’s studio where I saw people getting tattooed. The way they transformed their skin into a canvas, expressing their journeys and emotions, left a lasting impression on me. That moment ignited a spark – and I knew I wanted to be part of that world.

You create “tattoos that blossom with personality” in a floral and ornamental style. How did you develop this? Explain to us how this works when you tattoo someone.

My floral and ornamental style developed from my love for nature and its beauty. I believe that flowers symbolise growth and femininity, and I wanted to incorporate that into my work.

When I tattoo someone, I take the time to understand their personality and what they want to convey. I blend their stories with my artistic vision, creating unique designs that resonate with them. Each tattoo is a collaboration, and I strive to ensure that it feels like an extension of their personality.

Do you create mostly unique pieces for each customer? How do you like to work with collectors on tattoos? What sort of ideas do people usually come to you with?

Absolutely! I pride myself on creating unique pieces tailored to each client. When working with collectors, I love to brainstorm ideas together.

People often come to me with themes related to their life experiences, personal growth, or significant moments. I enjoy diving deep into their inspirations and translating those into beautiful floral designs that hold meaning and significance.

Do you have any favourite tattoos you’ve done? Tell us about them and why you love them.

One of my favourite tattoos is a large floral piece I did for a client who wanted to commemorate her grandmother. It incorporated her grandmother’s favourite flowers, each with its own meaning. Seeing the joy and connection it brought her made the experience incredibly rewarding.

I love tattoos that tell a story and evoke emotion, and this piece perfectly captured that essence.

Your studio Allskins looks absolutely beautiful – elegant and modern, a new breed of studio – what inspired the decor? Why is how the studio looks so important? Were you thinking about how your customers will feel while they are getting tattooed? It looks like a spa in the photos…

Thank you! The decor of Allskins was inspired by my desire to create a serene and inviting space. I wanted it to feel like a sanctuary where clients can relax and be themselves. The calming colours and modern design elements were chosen with the intention of making the tattooing experience enjoyable and comfortable.

I believe that the atmosphere plays a significant role in how clients feel, and I want them to leave not just with a tattoo, but with a memorable experience.

Do you think there are misconceptions and myths around tattooing? Is this something you think about and are trying to combat in your work and on social media?

Yes, definitely. There are many misconceptions about tattooing, such as the idea that it’s only for rebellious individuals or that it lacks artistry. I use my platform to showcase the beauty and craftsmanship behind tattooing.

Through sharing my work and the stories of my clients, I aim to break down these stereotypes and show that tattoos can be a beautiful form of self-expression for anyone.

What are your feelings about the industry as a whole?

I feel that the tattoo industry is evolving and becoming more inclusive and diverse. There’s a growing appreciation for artistry, and more artists are exploring unique styles. However, there are still challenges, such as the need for better representation and respect for the craft.

I believe we can continue to push for positive change and elevate the art form.

Do you ever work conventions and travel for guest spots? How do we book in?

Yes, I love attending conventions and collaborating with other artists! It’s a great way to connect with the community and share ideas. For bookings, I usually announce my guest spots appearances on my social media platforms, where clients can find information on how to reserve a spot. I also accept inquiries through my website www.lasstattoo.com for those interested in getting their projects done by me.

What are your hopes for your future in tattooing?

My hopes for the future include continuing to grow as an artist and expanding my reach. I want to further develop my style and collaborate with other talented artists,. I also run workshops, to help tattooists refine technique, gain confidence and support them in their journey as an artist. I hope to make them more accessible by doing them online, too, to inspire the next generation of tattoo artists.

Ultimately, I aspire to create a lasting impact in the industry while helping my clients feel empowered and beautiful through their tattoos. Watch a film about the workshops here.

Follow @lasstattoo for more beautiful ornamental, botanical tattoos.

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

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“A tattoo session is an experience, so everything matters: the space, atmosphere, music, attitude, pace…” interview with tattoo artist Sofia Lanbina

Tattoo artist Sofia Lanbina (@betstattoo) based in Munich, Germany, specialises in fineline floral tattoos. We chat to her about her freehand tattoos, her private tattoo studio and her journey into the tattoo world…

What made you fall in love with tattoos?

I remember the first time I thought about getting a tattoo myself, I saw a photo of a girl with a temporary tattoo of roses. I was 15 at the time and I thought, “Omg, one day I want to be covered in flowers like this”, it felt totally unrealistic and I had no idea how my life would turn out but this was probably the moment I fell in love with tattoos and realised how beautiful they can look.

What made you want to become a tattoo artist?

I always loved drawing, when out in nature, I’d sketch different plants and flowers in my notebook – this inspired me the most. And then I just wanted to find a purpose for my drawings and to share them with the world, that’s how I got the thought about becoming a tattoo artist. I obviously loved tattoos, as well, and already have several bigger pieces on myself, so it seemed like a great idea that I couldn’t believe I didn’t come up with earlier.

Can you tell us more about your own tattoo collection?

I’m not covered with tattoos because, since I became a tattoo artist, I also became very thoughtful about what I’m getting. However, I have quite a few larger pieces, I’ve even managed to get a thigh tattoo and then to cover it up with another 20-hour piece. All of my tattoos are flowers, except for a couple of small ones.

How did your style evolve into fineline florals? What do you love about that style?

I’d say I knew what I wanted to do that from the start. As soon as I found fineline tattoos, I thought they’re so fascinating and incredible. It was hard to believe how many details it’s possible to put on skin and how amazingly delicate it can look. And there is a huge range of styles you can tattoo in this technique, from lettering to portraits, ornaments to big florals. That’s what I love about the style.

Talk us through how you work with your customers. Do you draw straight onto their bodies?

I mostly create my tattoos freehand. It means I draw the design right on the skin with a pen without a prepared sketch. Everything starts with discussing the details via email and in person, then I mark placement, size and shape on the skin to get my customer’s approval and, afterwards, I draw the detailed design. At all steps, it’s possible to try different placements and ideas, rearrange objects — only freehand allows this kind of freedom.

Do you have a favourite tattoo experience?

My favourite and most memorable tattoo experience was when I first got a freehand tattoo. It was a floral fineline sleeve that took two full days of work. Back then I was already thinking about starting working freehand myself and after seeing and experiencing how fascinating the process is, I finally decided to start doing it myself. So, those tattoo sessions and the tattoo itself means a lot, it was the beginning of a new chapter for me.

What’s your studio like? And how does it impact the experience of getting tattooed?

My studio is a lovely private space, located in the centre of Munich. It’s very bright with a high ceiling, a lot of natural light and big plants, it has a calming and relaxing atmosphere — that’s exactly what I wanted it to be. I think a tattoo session is an experience, so everything matters: the space, atmosphere, music, attitude, pace, etc.

What’s the tattoo scene like in Munich? Do you tattoo lots of tourists / people who travel to collect work from you?

There are so many great tattoo artists and studios in Munich, all have different styles though.

I do tattoo a lot of locals but at least 50% of my customers are travelling to get a tattoo from me. Some come from the US, some from all around Germany and other European countries.

Are there any myths around fineline tattoos? What are they and what is your retort?

The most common misconception about fineline tattoos is that they get all blurred or faded over time. However, it might only happen if done wrong, so before getting a tattoo, make sure to find an experienced tattoo artist who has healed tattoos in their portfolio. Another tip (that ideally the artist has to explain to you) is to not try to fit a million things into a small tattoo. All the elements and individual lines need space, so a tattoo has to be big enough for them.

What are your hopes for the future?

I hope to never stop learning, experimenting and discovering new angles for my art. Some artists with time get either bored of what they do or get stuck without any growth and progress. I think that the key to never experiencing that is to constantly work, change and improve what you do.

Follow Sofia on Instagram for more beautiful fineline tattoos.

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.

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“It’s hard to split my style from my personality – I’m very delicate in my personal life and work,” interview with tattoo artist Yoshi

Tattoo artist Yoshi (@yoshi_tattooer) works at Third Eye Studio in Busan, Korea. Their career spans 14 years. We sat down with the artist to talk openly and super-honestly about what inspired their journey into the tattoo world, their work, hopes for the future and where it all began…

Yoshi’s first tattoo was a memorial tattoo. “I wanted to keep a memory forever,” Yoshi says. Born in Japan to Japanese and Korean parents, sadly his father passed away when he was just a year old. “After that, my mom changed my citizenship to Korean, and I grew up in Korea,” Yoshi tells us.

Yoshi is Korean, but he always wanted to find the roots of his family in Japan. It was when Yoshi met his grandma and family in Japan that he decided to get his first tattoo.

And it was this experience that made Yoshi fall in love with tattooing. “The tattoo makes me remember who I am, it makes me stronger. I now have a lot of extremely meaningful tattoos, so I don’t forget those special things.” But that first tattoo is the most precious. “It’s the dates of both of my parents’ deaths, and they are on both ankles. I have Japanese kanji for my father and Korean hangeul for my mom.”

When we ask what drew Yoshi to that tattoo world, he’s very honest. “It was the financial aspect,” he says simply. “That’s why I became a tattoo artist. We all need money in our lives. Especially if we don’t have parents to help us start out.” Yoshi says his parents’ deaths forced him into the “hard mode of life.”

Dropping out of university, Yoshi needed to find what he wanted to do, what he could do well and how he could make money from it. “My major was fine art, so with that background, I just needed to learn the technique of tattooing,” he says, “I already knew how to make designs, so I needed to start tattooing. It was perfect for me.”

The first tattoo he ever did on someone else was a complicated pattern in a three centimetre clover shape. Yoshi did this with a coil machine with a 1203 round liner. “I wasn’t too nervous,” Yoshi says of this experience, “but maybe just a little bit, because I did the tattoo on my best friend. I knew I could always do a cover-up later on, if we needed.”

When it comes to describing Yoshi’s style of tattooing, he tells us that it’s hard to split it his style from his personality, as Yoshi is very “delicate” in both his personal life and work life. “My style also comes from way back when I was at middle school,” he explains, “when I would do a lot of drawing with pencils and fine pens.” Back in 2010, when Yoshi learnt to tattoo, he mainly did traditional tattooing, although his art has always retained a fine-line style.

“When I started experimenting with fine-line art in my work, everyone around me told me it wasn’t a real tattoo.”

But Yoshi kept getting told that fine-line tattoos weren’t the way it was done in the tattoo world. “So I did traditional style tattoos until 2022,” he says, “I do still enjoy this type of tattooing but fine line is more me.”

Yoshi recalls when he first tried to do a fine-line tattoo for a walk-in client – “it was so much fun,” he enthuses. It’s what made him realise that he was really good at these delicate style of tattoos. It reminded him of how he used to draw with pencils. “So from then on, tattooing and my art just clicked, I began to make delicate line tattoos in my style. I now tattoo what I love.”

There’s a theme to Yoshi’s work and the eye is a recurring motif. “I like the Korean proverb: ‘the eyes are the window to the soul’. Our eyes can see a lot of things in others – including emotions like fear, anger, sadness, hate, contempt, disgust,” he explains.

“Eyes don’t lie. I also just really like drawing eyes.”

When it comes to inspiration, Yoshi admires any artist who does their own custom work, especially those who can make their own original designs.

And that’s how Yoshi works, too. His portfolio of tattoos is about 95% custom work. “I often post a design idea that I have, and a client can fill in a form to claim this piece,” Yoshi says.

When it comes to travel, we ask Yoshi where he’d like to go. “Space?!” he laughs, “tattoos for aliens! Just kidding, but I would really like to go to America. I really loved my time in Amsterdam. I worked at the Amsterdam Tattoo Convention and there was a lot of talented artists there.”

For 12 years, Yoshi says he worked as a tattooist that not many people knew. But then with Instagram, he started to make a name for himself. Instagram opened up his portfolio to the world. “I tattooed many people and gained a lot of likes on Instagram,” he says. Yoshi even noticed that other tattooers began to copy his designs! Which he took as a sign that he was starting to make it, carving out a name from himself. “2022 is a year I won’t ever forget, when I really found myself and style,” he says. “From then on, I pushed myself to be the best I can be and do the best work I can.”

And we can’t wait to see where his tattoo journey takes him next.

To book in, clients can get in touch by sending a DM on Instagram @yoshi_tattooer. Keep an eye on his Instagram as he often does guest spots – including London at Princelet Tattoo back in June. Travel plans also include Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto and LA.

We’re always talking to amazing tattoo artists, check out our latest interviews.