Black and Grey Realistic Lion
Author: louis santos
Wolverine from X-men digital sketch
This digital sketch was purely for fun. Usually I try to achieve a realistic approach to my drawings and paintings. However with this one, I tried not to follow rules, and just let the paint unfold naturally. I’m really happy about Disney plus, and I was sure to subscribe, as I knew that classic x-men cartoon of the 90’s would be there, so I watched every single episode, it brought me back memories as a child watching that classic X-men cartoon. So that was the inspiration I had for this sketch paint. I doubt we are gonna see a new x-men movie for a while, as dark Phoenix didn’t do amazingly well in the cinemas, however I feel like, sometimes as a fan, you think the movie is amazing, but a lot of movies do well based on hype, sometimes I love the movie, and it doesn’t really do well. A great example of that was the Ninja Turtles second movie, I was very surprised that movie didn’t do well, as it’s really well made. Anyhow, love it or hate it, super-heroes movies are the movies making most money nowadays, so I can’t see them stop doing super-heroes movies for a while, as there are so many stories from comics yet to be told, amazing stories that people couldn’t dream of just yet. Keep an eye for more updates on this web site. Thank you for visiting.
Realism Eye Tattoo by Louis Santos
I had a lot of fun doing this realistic eye tattoo. It was Reece’s first tattoo, and he was very calm about it, didn’t move one bit throughout the whole session. As it was inside of his arm, I was expecting to be a bit of a difficult area for him, but not at all. All the session went really well, and we had a good laugh in the process. When you run a business, and you have a good day, like most days, you should thanks by the end of it, because most of our clients are awesome, and we forget to be grateful about it. Keep an eye for updates on the site, and be sure to follow me on Instagram@louissantostattoo
Thank you
Thanos, Marvel Comics Tattoo by Louis Santos
I’m really exited about doing this Marvel Comic sleeve on Harry. I finally got the opportunity after 13 years of tattooing. So I feel very grateful and lucky to be having the opportunity to do this. After Avengers “infinity wars” I felt like it was the right time to do a Marvel sleeve. As I loved the movie, like all comic super-heroes fans did enjoy it. I really wanted to do a full sleeve of super-heroes based on the avengers movie. So I’m not one to wait and expect things to happen to me, I go after it, specially if I’m passionate about it. So I met Harry, and tattooed his back, and he asked me for a realistic tattoo. However I noticed he was just as nerd as me, and I sensed his love for comic books, and super-heroes. So that’s where the idea of suggesting a Marvel sleeve came from. I offered with a good discount too, to help him out to get it done. I was really exited when he accepted, and tattooing a Super-hero sleeve on someone who’s passionate about it, as much as i am, i really couldn’t ask for more. Harry is a really nice guy too, and when his sleeve is done, hopefully we will work on future projects. So if anyone out there is thinking about having a comic super-hero related Tattoo, be sure to message me, as I’m sure to give a pretty good discount on it, as I’m happy really happy to be doing it. Keep an eye open on the Marvel sleeve updates, and follow me on instagram@louissantostattoo
Thank you for reading
The eye of Hamsa
Big Phoenix Project
Today I got to work on Saba’s leg Phoenix tattoo. I think next time we are going to finish it. It has been a big project. She first walked in the studio asking me if I could design a Phoenix just for her, and I replied, for sure. She seemed happy with the consultation and made an appointment. After a few sessions tattooing her, she admitted that, she visited multiple other studios, and she asked if they would be able to design something just for her, and they said no. How we are called tattoo “artists” and some studios “not all” are only copying images from internet. 13 years ago, when I began tattooing, i would not expect, this would be the way the tattoo industry would been heading to. I was expecting every tattoo artist in the industry pulling amazing drawings, paintings and customised design tattoos as well, but no, it’s gone the other way round artistically. It just itches my head to try to understand, how can someone be considered an artist, when they don’t draw. In the video game industry, if you copy an image, you probably would loose your job, in the tattoo industry when someone copy an image, they get rewarded for it. I love drawing, and it’s something I will never stop doing, it’s in me, and it gives me an opportunity to express myself, and get my ideas out.
Realistic lion on calf with black and grey rose
Working with Struan was a mix of patience and faith. He got one session done, and to start on his second one, I think he went travelling and I didn’t see him for a few years. However, we got there eventually, it was worth the wait. I’m not religious, but I believe in having faith and being persistent, we have to be patient with our clients, and it pays off in the end. I really enjoyed this piece and it will be for sure added to my list of realism tattoos. Thank you Struan.
Owl and dove black and grey sleeve tattoo
Matthew asked me for full sleeve in black and grey, I was happy when he asked me for a dove and an owl. The dove above is done all free hand and the bottom half it was all stencilled. He wanted a compass in the middle of the owl, it was a nice idea. He had good ideas but also kept them simple, that’s why his full sleeve was so clear. Sometimes when you put too much information in a sleeve, it becomes a bit busy and hard to read. However Matthew listened to my advice, and he was a really nice guy to work with. Overall a great experience. Hope to see you again Matthew, for your next sleeve. Follow me on instagram@louissantostattoo
Japanese Snake on forearm
I have been doing a lot of realism tattoos lately, which I’m very grateful for, however, if you see my portfolio from a few years ago, I used to do a lot of Japanese work. I still enjoy doing it, even knowing is not what I’m really focused on at the moment. I was sure to follow her request, I stencilled the head and free handed the body. When I free handed the body, I made sure to take my time, to make sure it was in proportion. She was happy with the layout, so we were both happy to go ahead with the tattooing. Nicolette came all the way from London for this tattoo, however she was very dedicated, and attended every session without fail. I couldn’t ask for a better experience, thank you Nicollet.
Realistic Japanese Coy Carp
This Tattoo was a part of Andy’s full Japanese sleeve, it’s a great pleasure working with Andy, he gives me an idea and gives me the freedom artistically, and the opportunity to work with a good frame of mind is priceless. I believe the best way to get tattooed, is to choose the artist who you love their work, give an idea, and let them work with your idea. Sometimes , the tattoo mite not come out exactly how you were thinking, but it will come out better, than how you were thinking. As you let the tattoo artist work with a good frame of mind. Some clients are so specific, so fussy, which they have the right to, however, what they don’t realise is, the tattoo artist is so worried about their request, so they are not really gonna Work with a relaxed frame of mind, the more pressure you put on the tattoo artist, the more it affects the outcome of your tattoo. I say that because the best pieces I have done, has been on my easy going clients. Every tattoo I got, I trusted the artist to express their art on me, and I saved up for it, regardless the price, I flew to another country, I accepted how they work, and made it as easy as possible for them to tattoo me, because I wanted their art work on my body for the rest of my life, and I trusted them. And once you choose them to tattoo you, you should stick with them until the tattoo is finished, specially if you encounter issues with the tattoo, which it can happen, with healing specially, and when your tattoo is not finished, is not gonna look great, so you have to stick until the end result. You chose an artist, you stick with them, at least to complete that tattoo. In my opinion that’s the best way to approach getting tattooed. This topic has inspired me to do a blog, so keep an eye for more updates. Follow me on Instagram@louissantostattoo