Category: Manchester Tattoo Studio

Tattooing a Retired Fire Fighter

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A 70 years old Retired Fire Fighter First Tattoo

One good thing about my job is meeting interesting people and this time it was worth writing a blog about it. Some people dedicate  their life for serving others and I was honoured to meet a  70 year old retired fire fighter from Ramsbottom, looking for his first tattoo and funny enough, I felt like we did have something in common. 

He mentioned about how he felt about how the job had changed in the past 10 years, it wasn’t the same as it used to be, he said all the fire fighters were local lads who used to genuinely care for the community, then everything changed, new people arrived to be fire fighters, who didn’t really respect or care about being a fire man, they came along and  started to do the job, just for the wage, also he mentioned, it wasn’t the same anymore, and I can easily compare that to tattooing. 

It’s my passion for tattooing that keeps me going, I love the physical act of tattooing, and I love the interaction with some clients. However, because the tattoo industry itself is not what it used to be, I’m afraid. So when i was doing this fire fighter tattoo, i could understand where he was coming from. So that’s when he turned around and said, this tattoo is to remind me of the good times. The good times as a fire fighter. 

I do remember the good times in the tattoo industry when it was all about the art. Everyone was learning how to paint, I used to go to a tattoo convention and watching my favourite tattoo artists painting, it was like I was on holiday, and I understood, the more I learned about painting, the better my colour tattoos would become, and the more o drew, the better artist I would become. That was such a simple foundation that every tattoo artist understood from back in the day, and everyone was pushing forwards that, I remember when I wanted to learn about oils. I would obsessively by books, by DVD of my favourite artists painting, before you tube became what it’s now. I was hooked about art, and I could feel that people around me was on the same boat, and that was the reason why I wanted to become a tattoo artist. Because I knew that art was attached to it, and I loved it.

Nowadays you don’t need to be a good artist or even be able to draw to become a tattoo artist. A lot of youngsters looking to enter the tattoo industry carelessly don’t aim at the foundations, sadly ignore the roots of what makes someone a good tattoo artist. Being a good artist it allows to approach different areas of art, like sculpture, video games, spray paint, oil paint, all sorts of art forms can be embraced with a good drawing skills. 

I once opened an art magazine and I was looking at a profile of an artist from Japan and his drawings were amazing, and reading his article, he mentioned, “I have been drawing for 15 years, without even touching colour, just drawing, imagine how strong his foundations was, now from that point on, he would be able to pick up a tattoo machine and an oil paint brush and have higher potential than someone that hasn’t done all that previous work. 

That’s why I still insist in the importance of drawing in any area of art. And I’m starting to feel like I’m an old school guy insisting on something that no many people longer are doing, however, I’m not going to stop doing something that feels right and I can feel my artistically capabilities increasing, which it will be beneficial for my clients.

Thank you 

Feminine Tattoo Sleeve

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Bury Tattoo Studio

Butterfly and Cherry Blossoms Sleeve Tattoo

Sometimes clients can come in the studio, with a Tattoo already started by another artist. A consultation is really important to discuss the possibilities about what is realistic and what’s not, what can be done to meet the clients expectations, in this process of evaluating a Tattoo work, done previously somewhere else, honesty is the best policy. As you can’t get your clients hopes high, and make your client believe something that’s not possible, the best way is to evaluate your approach and let the client know realistically, the different options they have.

Amanda approached me with a Cherry blossom tree and butterfly that needed to re-work. At first she mentioned about getting rid of everything, so I recommended to laser it off, as it was quiet bold, and a cover-up process, the chances of it not working could been high. So she agreed with going ahead with re-working what she had and extending it afterwards. 

I believe that’s the best way to approach a tattoo started by another artist, is to re-work everything the client has, so the tattoo looks more like I have started, then when you carry on, everything else flows and it looks like it’s been done by one artist. 

I believe we spent 2 full days re-working everything Amanda had, and I realised Amanda was very patient, and willing to spend the time necessary to achieve the end result. 

After we re-worked everything previously started by another artist. Amanda requested to carry on with her tattoo with the intention to get a full sleeve. At first she mentioned about carrying on with roses, and I thought it was a good idea, I took a picture of her arm, and decided to put roses on top of her arm on photoshop to have a feel of what was going to look like. Finishing the photoshop idea, I realised the roses didn’t really look right next to the cherry blossoms, so if something doesn’t feel right, I have to deviate from the plan and try something else, I thought carefully and realised that, cherry blossoms only grows around cherry blossoms, there’s no other plant that grows next to cherry blossoms. So I let Amanda know that it was better to carry on with cherry blossoms instead of roses. 

I enjoy doing roses tattoo, however, in this case I had to pay attention and respect what was previously tattooed in my clients arm. I believe that’s the best way to approach a tattoo that has not been started by me, it’s to not think selfishly and just do whatever I want, it’s to understand that something else has been started, and is it worth it for me to re-work it? Because sometimes the answer could be no, it’s not worth it. The reason why I chose to go ahead with Amanda’s request, was based on her open mindset, and I could tell she was willing to listen to me, and allow me to work with a peace of mind. 

So I worked on a cherry blossom photoshop idea, and it felt right carrying on with cherry blossoms, I sent the idea to Amanda and she seemed really happy to go ahead with the new idea. 

As we started to carry on the cherry blossoms on the other side of her arm, the tattoo didn’t quite connect at first, as we were working in a different part of the body. I chose to carry on with cherry blossoms but more of an in focus large cherry blossoms in order to give perspective. So at first the tattoo seemed a bit separate than the one we started, even knowing it was the same flower. So that’s when sometimes other people can get in the way of the tattoo, and say things that could discourage the tattoo collector in carrying on with the project, but in Amanda’s case it was different, as she didn’t listen to what others were saying about the unfinished tattoo, and had faith that when we finished with the tattoo it would look right, so sometimes I have to be grateful when you get strong minded clients, who are willing to stick through the process no matter what. In the end of the day, only the ones who stick with the process get the end result. 

So Amanda definitely deserved to get the end result, and I hope to work with more clients like Amanda, who have faith in the process and in my work too, when you have this combination everything else just flows so easily. You have a nice tattoo and your Tattoo Artist enjoys tattooing you. 

Thank you Amanda 

Greater Manchester Tattoo Studio

In order to achieve a full sleeve, it requires a lot of patience and faith, from both client and Tattoo Artist. Faith in the unseen.

Tattoo Blog Manchester

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Getting Tattooed in Manchester in modern days

The year was 2006, and my journey began in the tattoo world. Even during my apprenticeship I came to the profound realisation that, the most successful Tattoo Artists were the more experienced artists, so I understood that I needed to focus on my art in order to achieve a good Tattoo. 

Fast forward to 2025, it’s almost like anyone with the intention to learn to tattoo, has no interest in learning to be an artist, before attempting to approach someone’s skin, or developing their artistic capabilities. And also, original artists, who worked so hard to develop their own unique style in art to Tattooing, are considering walking away from tattooing. 

In this blog I’m going to dive deep in to the reasons why all this came to reality in the Tattoo industry. How did the Tattoo industry used to reward high quality and original artists, to  reward Tattooists with no artistic capabilities. 

I started in 2006, Tattoo magazines was all you had, no social media and internet was not as advanced as it’s now. Every month “Total Tattoo Magazine” used to come out, and the Tattoo Artists in the cover of the magazine would be the next Tattoo Artist a lot of people would be following to learn, or it would be the Artist who would literally be re-writing the history of Tattooing. 

I will never forget the first time I saw Shige, Mike De Vries and Nikko Hurtado in the magazine. They were doing a style of tattooing I have never seen before, and I could tell their work was creating a new perspective in tattooing and some tattoo artists would be inspired and would be following that, and taking that style onboard. Those were the most successful Tattoo Artists in the early 2000’s, the ones who were re-writing Tattoo history. Opening a Tattoo magazine back in the early 2000’s it was almost like opening a Tattoo bible, where you would get mega inspired by the new artists coming up, with new creative styles, and being updated with what was going on in the Tattoo World. 

Fast Forward to 2025, a lot of young Tattoo Artists hardly know or are interested, in who were those Tattoo Artists who made Tattooing what it’s today, and artists I respected, and used to look up to. The artists who came up with the style they we fell in love with, should be respected by young artists and the ones rewarded in the tattoo industry. 

I believe social media has a big part of the reason why some Tattoo Artist’s are so rewarded for not being artists nowadays. Nowadays, Tattoo Artists get away with not creating art, and being successful in tattooing, and the reason why I believe is that Tattoo Collectors or clients do support Tattoo Artists who do not have an artistic background nor create art in a regular basis out of love.

I do understand that technology has made everything more accessible nowadays, specially in tattooing, for those who can not draw or paint, the IPad Pro is a life saver, as the Procreate app can mix match a lot of images, and cut a lot of corners and do a lot of stuff that only skilful  artists could achieve back in the day. I do use my iPad Pro, but sometimes I do still go back to the traditional sketch pad, as to develop, study and progress as an artists, traditional paint and drawing it’s I believe still the way to 

Nowadays, clients tend to go to a Tattoo Artist in Manchester who does videos and talk on camera, and the reason why, is because the client can resonate with the artists more, even knowing there’s a true artists who studied art all their life, and they just don’t feel confident or does not believe that you have to do a video to be a good Tattoo Artist , but everything chances. That’s why I believe true and original artists are not as successful nowadays in tattooing. Because with the raise of technology, there are some people who are not very good artists, however, very good with social media and technology, and they are the ones succeeding because someone looking for a tattoo, are not longer looking at an important fact about getting a tattoo, which is, is my Tattoo Artist an artist?

Another important aspect about getting tattooed nowadays, that is important mentioning to you guys, that a lot of Artists can do tricks with the camera nowadays, so everything you see online, is not exactly like how it’s on skin, or in real life. So looking at a Tattoo healed in front of you, is the best example to be sure if you resonate, like, or can see how good or the quality of a Tattoo Artists work. So don’t be fooled when a Tattoo looks too good to be true on Instagram or TikTok, usually when they heal, they will look completely different than what it was, when it was first done. 

Let’s not forget that some Tattoo artists do post an image of their healed tattoo online, which is something it should add trust to the viewer, and someone looking to get a Tattoo. A Tattoo Artist who posts and exposes their healed Tattoo, is an artist who have trust and experience in what their work really looks like, to have the confidence to post your healed Tattoo, is to be able to know what the Tattoo will look like when it’s healed, and that takes experience, and years of perfecting the Tattooing craft. 

The Artist that I'm, is the kid that survived in me

Tattoo Artist Bury

Surrealism Charcoal and Graphite

Demeter Greek Mythology Goddess

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The goddess of agriculture, grain, and the harvest. While her domain is more cultivated nature, she is a vital deity connected to the natural cycle of growth and renewal. 

It was a pleasure working on that Greek Mythology Tattoo in Manchester. I was really happy when my client requested Demeter, the goddess of agriculture. 

The process was quite long with the planning, we had a few examples of how the tattoo was going to look like. My client was really sure about what she wanted, so we had a few alterations in the process, which I was totally happy about working on it, as I wanted to make sure she was totally sure about the design. 

Greek Mythology is a style that I have a passion for, I hope to get more of this sort of work, as I’m also working on designs to study Greek Mythology art, as I said, drawing is the best way to improve the style of tattooing you are looking to specialise. 

The Tattoo took 2 sessions in total, i booked a touch-up session, however it wa not needed. Me and the client were both happy with how its healed.

We completed the tattoo in 2 sessions, 2 long sessions, however my client had faith in the process and stuck with the process. It’s important to explain to your client the dedication involved when getting a tattoo. So sometimes long consultations are important, so the clients are totally sure of the dedication required to achieve the final result. 

To find me or book an appointment, I’m located in 23 Bolton Street, Bury, Greater Manchester, or message me on what’s app on 07803875713.

Thank you 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Bury Tattoo Studio

Video Game Tattoo Manchester

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Tattoo Work in Manchester

What I have been up to lately

I can only be grateful to be back in Manchester. I’m loving working at Odin’s Eye Tattoo, it’s the studio I needed to be in. When you work with Tattoo Artist’s who have been tattooing just as long as you, in my case 18 years, it feels like everyone is in the same level with the way we see tattooing. I have worked with artist’s, who have been only tattooing for a few years, and the work ethic and philosophy is different. So it is important to surround yourself with artists who believe in what you believe, so you can grow together.

In this post, I would like to share what I have been up to lately. I would like to share this back Tattoo I worked on a female client, the image is from a video-game character. It was a tattoo full of line work, so I had to really take my time on it. When I line a tattoo, I see it like sculpting the line, so a lot of patience is required, my client was so chilled and patient so that made me feel comfortable.

After the first session was done, her back was quiet sore, as expected, so I was sure to book a second touch up session, to be able to see the lines healed, and have the opportunity to touch up, or refill some of the lines, and make sure everything was as best as it could be.

So that video is after the second session was done and healed. I really appreciate having patient clients who allows me to take my time, and go back to the tattoo, I treat a tattoo like a painting, where I go back to it, and push and pull what needs to be adjusted. And seeing the Tattoo healed, it really allows me to see the peace in a different perspective, and that allows me to give more to the client.

The second tattoo in the video, is a football badge, from Tottenham Hotspur FC, they have recently won a trophy after so long. I do like Tottenham Spur,  My client got tattooed by me last year, when I still had my tattoo studio in Whitefield, Manchester. He had tattooed his kid name on him, and mentioned about the Tottenham badge tattoo. He messaged me a few weeks after they won the title, saying that now was the right time to get it done, I believe that, when you want a tattoo, or when you are considering getting tattooed, you will know when the right time comes.

That’s why when I get a client just coming in to the studio unsure about what they want, it is a bit hard work as they don’t have any ideas, but if you are patient, and treat them right, even start talking to them, it allows them to talk about themselves therefore you start getting ideas for their Tattoo. So even knowing the client mite come in the studio with no idea about what they want, just for the fact that they came in the studio, and felt that you cared about what you do, and treat them right, they will be back to see you, when the time is right.

Bury Tattoo Studio

Football Badge Tattoo

Tattoo Studio in Bury

Dragon tattoo Cover Up Manchester

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Dragon Tattoo Cover-up

In this post I would like to mention about this cover-up tattoo project me and Ryan worked on. Cover-up tattoos are a very different process than when you are doing a tattoo project on fresh skin. When you approach a tattoo where the skin is clear, you have a lot more freedom with the size and style. Approaching  Cover-up tattoo it takes a lot more planning, and faith in the process.

Ryan walked in to the studio, he seemed like a really nice and chilled guy, she showed me a tribal he had in the middle of the top of his back. And asked me if I could cover it up. I said, yes it is possible, however, it depends what you would like to get done.

Getting a Tattoo covered, it requires a lot of texture in order to achieve the cover-up, and when the client requests a cover-up tattoo, I mention about the type of tattoos that are possible to work with. If the client is open minded and is wiling to listen and take advice onboard, I do consider taking on the tattoo project. So for me it is really important, to have a consultation before approaching a cover-up tattoo, because you have to make sure your client is well educated about the cover-up process.

One of the most important piece of information, that is important to pass to my clients, is the faith in the process required to achieve a cover-up tattoo. Approaching a cover-up tattoo, is similar to painting a black wall white, you understand that, the wall will not be painted in one layer, and it takes a few layers in order to achieve the full coverage, until the wall looks totally white, so, a cover up tattoo process is something along those lines. I understand not everyone is patient, however, when considering a cover-up, you have to be realistic to your client.

I knew that working with Ryan, I would be ok, as when I spoke to him, he quickly absorbed what I wanted to tell him, he was a quick information absorber, and our philosophies seemed to align with purpose. Also, getting on with a client, and having the same point of views it really helps with the process, and spending time with them.

This Tattoo took multiple sessions to be done, I will try to upload a picture of when he arrived for his last session, which it was the touch-up session, on large tattoos I do offer a touch-up session at the end, which it is completely free of charge, this session allows me, to approach the tattoo with a different and fresh state of mind, and it allows me, to give the tattoo the extra care needed, so im as happy as possible with it.

The last touch-up session it also represents, the respect I have for the client’s dedication, and effort for taking time off to see me, and saving up the money in order to have a good quality Tattoo, so I’m forever grateful for clients who stick with the process, and are patient during the process, and allows me, to push the Tattoo a little further, and allowing me to express my art and ideas on their skin forever.

Tattoo Shop Near Me

Tattoo Studio Near me

Manchester Tattoo Studio

Halloween Kills Tattoo

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Michael Myers Tattoo Manchester

Michael Myers tattoo in Halloween Kills 2011

Coming out of Fire

My client is a big horror movie fan, and Michael Myers is one of her favourite characters, I remember watching Halloween in the past, but after getting the opportunity to tattoo this portrait, I revisited the story to get in to the tattoo.

The tattoo ended up being a half sleeve, as it was a cover up. I’m glad we went full on with the size, as Michael Myers is coming out of fire, as it’s a scene from a movie, so I had freedom to do a lot of fire particles. This tattoo is not fully finished, as I want to make the most of all the particles with the fire, and add more fire to it. My customer she is keen to let me add more to it, thank you so much for your patience and letting me add more to what already looks decent.

I believe that’s what it comes down in the end of the day, to how much care you have for what you do, love is what stands out most in the end of the day, and the levels of love can vary a lot to each individual artist.

Keep an eye on more updates on my web site, I have been working on a few drawings, which I will be uploading it soon.

Keep Art Inspired

Horror Tattoos Manchester

Black and Grey and Colour Tattoos

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Colour Tattoos Greater Manchester

Black and Grey Tattoos Vs Colour Tattoos

In this post I would like to talk about black and grey tattoos and colour Tattoos.

A lot of Tattoo Artists nowadays, stick to black and grey or colour Tattoos, specialising in either both of them. I do understand their approach and why they stick with one or the other style. However, me personally, I love to do both.

If sometimes I tattoo in black and grey, and sometimes, I tattoo in colour, I can never get bored of it. So I love to do both.

Black and grey and colour tattoos are very different to approach, therefore, pleasant to approach. Black and grey tattoos are very relaxing compared to colour tattoos. Colour tattoos are a little more psychologic demanding, as you have to use your head a bit more, however, I love how versatile colours are in general. The beauty of colour usage, is the amount of tones you can achieve if colour is studied properly.

Colour Tattoos do take a bit longer than black and grey Tattoos, however, it does stands out a lot more. Making a colour tattoo pop is a lot easier to achieve, than making a black and grey tattoo pop. Making a black and grey tattoo pop out it requires a lot of shading knowledge, and understanding different values in grey shading, so drawing really helps with that.

Black and Grey tattoo Greater Manchester

Black and Grey Tattoo Manchester

Choosing The Best Tattoo Studio in Bury, Greater Manchester

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Greater Manchester Tattoo Studio

The only person who can decide which is the best Tattoo Studio in Greater Manchester is you. And everyone will have a different perception about how a Tattoo Studio should be. Some Tattoo Studio’s do look amazing, however the quality of work is not up to standard. I do believe everything matters in a Tattoo Studio. A Tattoo Studio that doesn’t look clean or presentable, but does good quality work, does not deserve your business, in a tattoo studio everything matters, cleaning standards should be at the highest level, tattoo images should look at the best quality possible online, as Tattoo Artists who care will invest in a good camera. Looking at a tattoo work healed is a very good way to decide if the Tattoo Artist is right for you, as when you see a Tattoo fully healed, that’s the moment of truth, and when a Tattoo Artist cares, they will consider how they tattoo will look when its healed.

I do ask my clients to come back to the studio after the Tattoo is healed, because I think, if I don’t see that tattoo healed, I’m not in control how my tattoo looks. Everyone has a different skin, therefore, every tattoo will heal differently. It doesn’t matter how much of a good Tattoo Artist you are, not all your tattoos will heal perfect or the same, so letting your client go, and not being aware of how that tattoo is healed, is a big gamble to take. I learn to tattoo everyday, as everyone has a different sort of skin. So I can not tattoo the same everyday, as everyday I get a new client, and their skin is completely different than the last one I tattooed.

I believe a lot in energy, so I would recommend you to have a consultation with your Tattoo Artist, the reason why, is because, even knowing you mite like someone’s tattoo work, it doesn’t mean you are going to feel comfortable with them, and making sure your frequency flows with your artists, literally, getting a vibe with your artist really helps, to make sure you will feel comfortable in the chair with them, even if its for a small tattoo. Your Tattoo must be a positive experience, so take your time to research, book a consultation, have a chat about your tattoo before you go ahead with the appointment.

Bury Tattoo Artist

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