Author: louis santos

Realistic Buddha Tattoo

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We got to the end of Andy’s sleeve, however it won’t be the end of our tattoo journey. I did his first tattoo, on his front, underneath his chest. It was a quiet sensitive area, however we got through it. We only did small sessions at the time, so we both had to be really patient with the process. However we got through it. Only the ones who stick with the process, with get the end result. We are currently working on ideas for his next sleeve, which I’m already exited about it, as Andy has awesome ideas. When you get a client who is patient, sticks thought the process, has good ideas, and you get on with them, it’s like heaven on earth. And I wholeheartedly don’t take it for granted, as it’s a pretty special thing. Thank you Andy!

Thor God Of Thunder, digital paint

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This digital paint of Thor is based on the comics. I always go back and forth with traditional and digital painting. The reason why I paint, is so I can try new ideas before I attempt the skin. It makes me learn more about colours, and trying different colour ideas, without worrying too much. With this digital paint, I wanted to paint Thor, the god of thunder. Is not a secret that I’m a big comic fan from the 90’s, I just feel blessed that nowadays we have all this movies based on comics, and all that magic from comic books can be translated to movies. Marvel really hit the nail with Avengers ‘infinity wars’’ based on a Marvel comic book. In the comic book of Avengers “infinity wars’’ Thor kills Thanos in the comics. So in the movie Thor stabs Thanos with his sword in the end, I thought they followed exactly like in the comic, however Thanos desperately disappears with his stones and everyone starts to fade in to dust, so they didn’t follow exactly the story in the comics, however in my opinion, it was the best movie made by Marvel by far. I’m currently working on a Marvel comics sleeve, finally it has come to me. Thanks for reading. Follow me on instagram@louissantostattoo

Hamsa Hand with realistic eye

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That was the very last touch of Robs full sleeve, what a journey we had on his sleeve. We first started with a Buddha, with a cover-up on a top half sleeve, then we had a free open skin on bottom half With a lily flower, with loads of waves and water around. Rob is a big fan of going to Ibiza, so he loves the colour of the sea over there, so there was a lot of blue in his sleeve. Rob was another customer who fell from the sky, I couldn’t asked for a nicer guy to work with, we are blessed in the studio with the best clients, people who are willing to spend time on their tattoo, in order to have a piece of art. Thank you for our clients who made our dreams come true over the years. Follow us on instagram@familiatattooleeds

Thank you

Traditional Oil on canvas

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I managed to finish this female warrior fantasy traditional oil painting, I hanged it in the wall of our tattoo studio in Leeds City Centre. I still do traditional painting, even in the era of digital painting. Digital painting is very practical and fast, however having the feeling of the paint brush touching the canvas is priceless, it feels really good, so for me with traditional painting, I do it for pleasure, and for myself. Everyday when I go to work to tattoo, I have to listen to my client, and try to deliver their requests, and I have to try to be as precise as possible, which I’m cool about that. So when I paint traditionally I try to erase all that, listen to myself and enjoy myself, not letting being precise take over me, and just relax. I hope I have more time to paint in the future, I could see myself doing this for a long time, hopefully when I’m an old man too. Follow me on Instagram-louissantostattoo

Realistic Horror Tattoo

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Max requested for a horror black and grey sleeve with a bit of colour somewhere. So I gave him the idea of making the skull in colour to come forward, and he was happy to go ahead. He first wanted a full sleeve of Zombies, and in the process of planning his full sleeve, we came to an agreement that, a full sleeve full of Zombies would need another ideas, in order to make his sleeve a bit more interesting. So he decided to get a goat skull on top of his sleeve, and carry on with a monster holding a skull. So the zombies are still to come, perhaps on his bottom half sleeve. My experience with Max was awesome, it was his first tattoo, so I respected him, for the fact that he was willing to put time to his first tattoo. He’s a young lad, and very sensible. We were both in to the same kind of music, so I was sure to introduce him to some new bands, and so did he. I would be very happy to carry on with Max’s sleeve, he’s moved from Leeds to down south, but he said he was happy to come and see me, as he’s enjoying the process. Thank you Max. Follow me on Instagram/louissantostattoo

Lioness Tattoo with Caribbean flower

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When I approach feminine tattoos, that’s when I bring out my delicate side. Tattooing guys usually a approach a different way. I enjoy colour tattoos, a lot of tattoo artists find it stressful. But I find it relaxing, specially doing delicate flowers. I access a different part of my brain where it’s more gentle and subtle. Even being gentle and subtle, when approaching a tattoo we must consider longevity. That’s why contrast is important. Thank you for reading

Japanese Geisha and Red Indian digital painting, printed on canvas.

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I would like to thanks @digitalpanther, for this awesome print. I digitally painted the Japanese geisha with a fantasy style incorporated to it. As you can see I’m not the traditional artist, I don’t like to follow the rules, so if someone is looking for something different, I would consider looking at the request in order to try to do a tattoo that is not what you usually see. Don’t get me wrong sometimes I have to do what the clients ask me, and I have to do what they request, but if I get the opportunity to think outside the box and the client gives me artistic freedom, I’m happy to embrace the opportunity. These 2 canvas are hanged on the wall of our Leeds city Centre studio. For more updates, please follow me on Instagram/louissantostattoo

The circle of life sketch @louissantostattoo

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This sketch was an expression of a philosophy of life, as we all know, nothing is forever. So i try to remember this everyday, and make the most of it. It doesn’t scare me that nothing is forever, it just makes me appreciate every moment I’m here. Being grateful for basic things in life that we take for granted, is a good habit to have. I tried to achieve a realism feel to this sketch, I have been getting a few requests for realistic tattoos lately, and I’m happy to look in to those requests, as that’s what I specialise in realism. I love light, and I’m always observing everyday, how light falls in to subjects. Follow me on Instagram @louisantostattoo for more updates. Thank you

Full back tattoo, black and grey realism-fantasy

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This one is a bit of a blast from the past, but worth reminding about it. It was her first tattoo, so very brave girl to begin with. She wanted a coverage of the full side of her back. I was very surprised as usually for first tattoos, clients prefer to start small and build it up. So I was worried about letting her understand the process, patience and dedication needed in order to have a large tattoo. I was sure to be clear that only sticking through the process, you will get the end result. Specially with full back tattoos, not everything will look clear straight way, specially with the way I work, I build everything like a paint, so first, I apply a simple basic layer and add to that later, giving the skin the chance to heal, and go back to it. I don’t believe in damaging the skin so much, so I ask my clients to come back for a second pass. Anyway, all that worry I had with this tattoo, it went completely out of the gate, as she was very patient and had faith in the process. Sometimes clients really surprise me, with how young they are and how sensible they are, willing to put the time needed to have a nice tattoo. With this black and grey tattoo, we tried to achieve a mix of realistic and fantasy style to it. Follow me on Instagram/louissantostattoo.Thank you for reading.

Realistic Phoenix Tattoo by Louis

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It was such a pleasure working with Adam, he needed a cover-up in his back. When he asked me if it was possible with a Phoenix, I was happy to go ahead. I stencilled most of the designed, and free handed the rest of it. I was happy to do a realistic approach to the tattoo, and Adam was happy to go ahead with a realistic tattoo light to it. He gave me artistic freedom which it helped me along the process. I love doing Phoenixes. I’m currently working on a new one, this time it’s gonna be a leg piece. And I can’t wait to complete and post it on this website. So keep an eye open for mote updates. Take care

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