Things&Ink

June 7, 2023June 7, 2023

Catching up with tattoo artist Owen Paulls

We last chatted to Owen Paulls (@owenpaulls) in 2017 (read his first interview) when he was tattooing on the road. We caught up with the black and grey tattoo artist, who now works out of his private studio (Owen Paulls Tattoo) in Brighton, to find out what he’s been up to for the last six years...

How have you been since we chatted in 2017?

Great thank you! Hope you have all been good too. I’ve been traveling all over and seen some cool things…and ink!

You’ve been tattooing for almost 10 years, how does it feel to look back on where you started?

I don’t really know to be honest! I’m certainly more involved with the industry than I imagined was possible when I started, and there’s so much to learn along the way. The perimeters are always shifting and evolving in the tattoo world, so I guess I feel humbled to think of surviving it for 10 years!

Where do you hope to be in another 10 years?

I hope to be in the same creative mind space and to be focused on how I can keep improving. I really hope I never lose the drive to improve my artwork, in tattooing or painting!

What tattoo projects have you been working on?

There’s been more larger scale work in my diary as of late. I think the last time we spoke I was on the road, so I was mostly doing tattoos that had to be completed in one or two days max! Since then I’ve been able to play the role of a resident artist in a few studios and take on larger pieces over a wider time scale.

It’s been really challenging but a great push in learning how to construct legible sleeves, front and back pieces.

What’s really been getting you excited?

Well firstly, the progression of our industries artistic side over the past, I think three years or so? It’s amazing to watch such rapid evolution of an ancient thing. On a more personal note, I’m so excited and thankful for the trust in creating more surrealism and Disney mashup tattoos.

You mentioned in our last catch up that you were going into a more surrealism style, has this been the case?

I always wanted to do a little more realism that wasn’t so routed in real life or just a copy from a photo. I really enjoy being asked for portraits too, don’t get me wrong, but I love sci-fi or adding a little element of whimsy, flow and direction where I can. I’m still developing this style and trying to learn from other artists, who do this mix really well. At the moment I’m working on a few Disney projects which will see the characters collide with the real world in some way. So super excited for that!

You also mentioned you would ‘probably make the move to colour work’, how has this gone? What changed?

Honestly nothing really changed, apart from the brief pause we all took in 2020! I’m still interested in adding some colour elements but I’d have to stay somewhere long term to really polish this aspect of my work. Right now with traveling and shows, black and grey is the better choice for me and allows me to showcase the desaturated Disney work that has helped me carve a bit more of a tattoo identity over the years.

You were on the road, where’s been your favourite place to travel and tattoo?

It’s hard to pick just one place! I spent nearly two years traveling full time on the road and saw so many amazing places. I really love Italy and Florence especially. It’s so beautiful and relaxing there and in the same breath, I love Colorado for the mountains and nature. Probably because it’s a wilder, more rugged version of where I grew up! NYC and LA of course are beasts of their own, and I do love the busy hustle of city life. I’m tattooing in Germany later this year so maybe that will be added to the favourites list too! Who knows!

Any experiences or stories that stand out?

I remember being in literally the coldest weather I have ever experienced in Ottawa, Canada a few years ago. I thought I liked snow until then! There was a storm and snow stacked against the buildings around four feet. Every pavement and road was pure ice! I was there working a tattoo show and spent nearly the whole thing inside a set of three interlocking buildings with sky bridges, to escape the cold! You’d have to be tough to live there I think!

Oh and almost getting hit by lightning in Florida! I was walking to the shop in the rain when it struck the traffic lights two metres in front of me, taking out the whole block. The loudest sound I’ve ever heard in my life, I’m very lucky to not have been crispified!

How’s the tattoo scene changed since we spoke in 2017?

Change wise, aside from the rapid artistic boost that 2020 seemed to inspire, I’m thankful to see the industry start to become more inclusive. I know there’s still a way to go just like every industry, but we have started the journey and it’s nice to see artists becoming more comfortable to express themselves in their art and/or tattooing.

What’s been your proudest moment in the last six years?

One of my proudest moments has been recently, when I was asked to attend a few tattoo shows, based on my paintings alone. I’ve been working hard on my paintings for a few years on my days off and it’s very validating to be recognised for this. I’ve also had the chance to be part of some really progressive and highly talented teams, like the Empire Inks crew and the FYT artist line up. Not trying to push anything when I say they have the best approach to artist sponsorships and give back at every opportunity. I’m very grateful to be involved with them!

How did you find the lockdowns, were you able to be creative?

I was still in Hollywood during the lockdown, so we really only had one long one over there. It was tough to be taken away from my career plans, mid stride but I understand this was the same for so many creatives and I do appreciate the safety aspect involved there.

I set myself up with a painting and designing schedule, working 10-7, like a regular tattoo day, four or five days a week. I’d just finished a set of classes at LAFFA (LA institute of fine art) and was really keen to get to practice more. Obviously this was more paint time than I had anticipated but I believe it kept me sane and kept the wolf from the door bill wise! I’m aware I have been very lucky though and know this wasn’t the case for everyone around the world.

On a final note I want to say thank you to everyone who supports my art and tattooing. I’m always looking to expand my skill set and learn what I can to improve. I’m thankful to have done a catch up with you and hopefully we can do another in a few years!

You’re more than welcome! Make sure to read Owen Paull’s first interview with us and follow him on Instagram for more incredible tattoos.

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

May 22, 2023May 22, 2023

Tattoo artist Grigorii Butrin’s masterclass on photograhing tattoos

It’s never been more important to get an amazing photo or reel of your freshly made tattoo. Not only are you a tattoo artist but you also need to be a social media manager and photographer too. To help you capture your art in the best way, realism tattoo artist Grigorii Butrin is sharing his top tips…

Black and grey realism is a style that remains one of the most popular trends in the world of tattoo culture to this day. Grigorii Butrin (@butrin.tattoo) is a talented artist, many would say he’s up there with the best tattoo artists working in this style.

Grigorii conquered the world’s tattoo community with his realistic tattoos consisting of striking contrasts, complexity and detail. They bring the image to life so that it looks 3D on his client’s skin. His sense of detail, light and composition makes his work different from others in the industry.

Gregorii’s tattoos are known in many countries, they have been frequently appreciated by judges at international tattoo conventions around the world. Grigorii Butrin is a member of several professional teams and clearly understands how to make black-and-grey realism truly spectacular. It’s this understanding of the craft which has gained him hundreds of loyal clients across the globe, and allowed him to give master classes to other artists. He’s also collaborated with world-known brands and giants in the tattoo industry – he’s a tattooer on the rise.

Looking at photos of his work from a professional standpoint you can see how he scrupulously works on photographing his tattoos. According to Grigorii, “this is very important, because it is not enough to make a high-quality tattoo, it is necessary to present it correctly to the audience.”

“Practice shows that you need to photograph tattoos immediately after the session. The reason for this is very simple: in 90% of cases, the creator will never see this tattoo again, and there is no point asking clients to take photos later, because they will not be able to do it correctly.”

Grigorii Butrin shares his recommendations in photographing tattoos to his colleagues:

Do not turn off the light in the studio completely, dim it. To illuminate the work itself, use a light together with a polarising film – this makes the picture more natural, especially if you are photographing a miniature tattoo. Many tattooers prefer to photograph the work with a single light source, which makes the photos gloomy due to the lack of background.

In the case of using several illuminators, glue the films to them in the same way, in accordance with the instructions. If the lights are not synchronised, then they will have to be turned over in order for them to work correctly. Cut the film according to the size of the luminous surface of the lamp, do not allow non-polarised light to get into your work.

On your phone, use the first three settings for the final edit of the photo: Exposure, Shine, Light areas. They have the least effect on image quality. You can also adjust the Saturation. In order to increase the set of processing tools, I recommend installing photo editing applications.

Remember that the photo will only show what was projected by the lens into the phone’s memory. If the photo is highlighted and if the whole tattoo is flickering with highlights, then it ‘s not possible to restore what did not get into the phone’s memory, when you took the photo no matter what subsequent processing you do. That is why you need to use polarising filters. Processing will only correct some flaws, but will not change the image itself in any way. Take high-quality photos initially.

Find out more about the realism tattoos Grigorii makes in our interview with the tattoo artist.

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

May 15, 2023May 15, 2023

Gravure tattoo artist: Olesia Kovalchuk

Tattoo artist Olesia (@lescrowtattoo) creates large-scale gloomy tattoos consisting of clear lines, contours and shading, which she coins ‘Gravure’ tattoo. We chatted to the Ukraine artist based in Los Angeles about her love of mythology, tattooing style and more…

“I create a drawing in an engraving style based on Greek mythology, and then I transfer it not to wood or metal in order to make an impression, but to the skin of a person to keep it there forever. From my perspective this is synthesis of the arts which is timeless”

What’s your earliest memory of tattoos or tattooing?

My first tattoo was a gift for my first girlfriend. It was first letter of mine and the name. Veeeeery trivial I know…but it’s a warm memory.

How long have you been a tattoo artist and how did you become one?

I’ve been tattooing for 12 years now. Since I was a girl I loved drawing and contemplating nature, but my mother and teachers said my art was strange and gloomy, which stopped me from pursuing my art.

After school, I entered the Art Academy at the Faculty of Design and Architecture. I didn’t want to become an architect, but studying helped me with the basics of compositions. I eventually got a job at my friend’s tattoo studio.

Can you tell us about Gravure tattoos?

Gravure tattoos have become my own niche. It’s characterised by large-scale pieces, often inspired by Greek Mythology, which are gloomy in nature expressed lines and shading.

As I learnt to tattoo I found an audience who revered my style and trusted what I was creating. After several years of experimenting and tattooing in Barcelona and Europe I honed my skills and what made me unique, that’s when I moved to LA.

What in particular draws you to Greek mythology?

In Greek mythology I am attracted to how perfect the image of a person can be. In general, they knew a lot about the beauty, mind and earthly pleasures.

Do you have a favorite story or a Greek God?

I like all the stories about Hades and Persephone. For me they are like a movie- «only lovers will survive».

How do you see your tattoos evolving in the future?

I don’t know, maybe I’ll be in slavery to AI, like all of us! Most likely I will remain just an artist and it doesn’t matter where my drawings are whether they’re used for illustrations, bodies or some kind of engraving on robot panels.

I hope one day I will write a book about my inner travels and will illustrate it too, it’s the dream of my life.

You describe your work as gloomy, do you have a gloomy personality?

I’m definitely the queen of darkness inside , but in society I am a very cheerful and sociable person, the one who will make everyone laugh, unite and gather for a party
(I can’t live without the fun of sarcasm and nightlife). But yes with myself I’m blue and gloomy.

How do you feel when you’re tattooing?

For me, this is a moment of concentration, meditation and also a time when I can combine work with knowledge (during the sessions I always listen to audio books or lectures on history) just imagine those feelings! Your body’s here creating a world on another person’s body and your mind is separately traveling through the pages of novels or the past! This amazing sensation is disturbed only by pain in the neck or back.

How does the LA tattoo scene compare to other places you have tattooed?

I moved to LA half a year ago, so I haven’t fully felt the difference yet. But if we talk about the public itself, the clients here are very grateful and open to everything new more than, for example in Spain, despite the fact that my style here is something new because America is the founder of traditional and realistic tattoos, especially in colour. And of course, the scale of the country doesn’t allow you to stay without work for a long time.

Where’s been your favourite place and inspired you the most?

My favourite city, no matter how trite it may sound, is Paris. But it’s just for my soul cause my lovely poets are buried there. If you mean tattoos – New York is the best city for work and spending money. I’m a fan of the big city vibe!

Can you tell us about the tattoos you have on your own body?

My tattoos look more like a diary of small disconnected stories, each one belongs to a certain period. I dream of a big project for the whole of my back, but ideas change every year, so my back is still waiting for the right idea.

Follow Olesia @lescrowtattoo on Insta for more gloomy Gravure tattoos.

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

May 6, 2023May 6, 2023

Interview with tattoo artist Ignacio Freysselinard

27-year-old Ignacio Freysselinard (@freysce), a tattoo artist from Argentina has been tattooing for eight years, in cities all around the world. We caught up with the artist to find out about tattooing around the world and how he had the privilege of getting a tattoo Apo Wang-od and stayed in her community in the Philippines…

How did you get into the tattoo industry?

I didn’t know anything about tattooing or how you were supposed to learn to tattoo when I started. I met my mentor, Pato Domingez, in Buenos Aires, 2015, because a mutual friend put us in contact.

I never had the patience to watch a YouTube tutorial or anything like that, so I asked Pato how to tattoo. Suddenly, he was telling me to clean his toilet, paint the shop and get his beers! Although I had nothing better to do and I thought he was a really cool dude, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I fell into an old school apprenticeship and I’m really lucky that Pato was the one to show me the way. One week in, I knew I wanted to do this for the rest of my life.

You’ve been tattooing for eight years, how does it feel to look back on where you started? Where do you hope to be in another eight years?

It feels amazing. Tattooing has become part of my identity and opened so many doors, I’m deeply grateful. In eight years I see myself living exactly how I’m living today; tattooing, travelling and exploring the world’s cultures and beauty.

How would you describe your tattooing style?

At the moment I’m really interested in all kinds of ethnic and tribal tattoos. I enjoy exploring these and many contemporary styles like American traditional, geometric or ornamental. A few months ago I heard Dannyboy Sawyer say, “My style is tattooing”. It would be difficult to pick just one style as my favourite, so I will agree with Danny.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by the rich history of tattooing that spans oceans and cultures — as well as the global community of artists who share and exchange their different styles and methods with one another. That’s what my work aims to do, and why I’m on a mission to tattoo across all continents.

What tattoo projects have you been working on?

At the moment I’m working on some sleeves and back pieces mixing Tibetan, Indian and many Asian ornaments with tribal scales as the background. Step by step I’m trying to make all of my big projects freehand and it’s really exciting. In the future I would love to do more Japanese style, that’s something I really enjoy.

Where’s been your favourite place to travel and tattoo?

It’s hard to name just one. So far, Amsterdam has been one of my favourites. There is so much to learn there and so many great artists and tattoo shops. My experience at Rose Tattoo was amazing and enriching.

Can you tell us about your experience getting a tattoo from Apo Wang-od?

Meeting Whang-od four years ago was my greatest adventure. It was hard to get to Buscalan without a tour guide – I didn’t know I needed one – but once I was there I felt really welcomed by the Kalinga community.

Apo Wang-od with one of Ignacio Freysselinard’s designs

I was curious about their beautiful way of living and many of them were intrigued by my colourful tattoos, I was lucky to share information with them too. Getting tattooed by Whang-od was like a dream.

What I learnt from her Kalinga tattoos is that a tattoo doesn’t need to be technically perfect to look beautiful and real, what matters most is its tradition and respect, technicality is just a plus.

I want to go back soon and get tattooed by her grand-niece, Grace Palicas, the one who’ll keep the tradition and Apo’s legacy alive.

Are there any other experiences or stories that stand out?

Recently I was travelling with my brother in Fiji around the exotic islands. On each island I gave a tattoo to a local, some wanted American traditional flash, others wanted Polynesian designs or Fijian Tapa.

That allowed me to generate a deep connection with them, so after the tattoo they would take us to dinner with their families and teach us how to do spear fishing. That was definitely an experience that stood out to me. Also tattooing literally a few metres from the sea was a dream come true.

What’s been your proudest moment?

My proudest moment was probably the beginning, before I started my apprenticeship at The Gypsy Family. My world was really small and limited. Once I came into contact with this new world, guided by my mentor, my head exploded. I’ve learnt so much since then and not just about tattooing; about order, discipline, respect, music, underground stories and of course…some gypsy tricks. The feeling of becoming a tattoo artist was one of the best in my life and I wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

Make sure to follow Ignacio Freysselinard (@freysce) on Insta for more incredible tattoos.

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

April 14, 2023May 4, 2023

‘Tattoodo’ weekender with FREE tattoos. Yep. See you there?

Flash days are our absolute fave. We love the excitement of heading to a tattoo studio to see the flash (tattoo designs, FYI, read more about that here) on offer. Picking a small design which is a set price so there’s no drama or anxiety about what you have to pay. It’s one of the most fun ways to get tattooed. But you know what we love more than that? Flash events that offer FREEEEE tattoos. Yep. Tattoos that will cost you absolutely nothing.

We couldn’t believe it when the invite landed in our inbox. Tattoo app Tattoodo is hosting a weekend-long event in Shoreditch, London, on Saturday 22 April and Sunday 23 April. Not only is there free tattoos but there’s also drinks, merch, music and competitions.

We’re lucky enough to be attending the VIP night on Friday 21 April, with FREE tattoos from our from Horror Issue cover Star, tattooist Emily Malice (you can see her flash sheet over on her Instagram) and tattooist Teide. Look out for stories over on our Instagram!

There will be another ten – INCREDIBLE – tattooists tattooing over the two-day event – which is open to anyone…

22 APRIL: Sophie Hunter, Teide, Leti Mortimer, Carlos Zucato, Matty Magee

23 APRIL: Alexander Rufio, Laurel Cummins, Chloe, Gabriel Cardosi, Delphin

Sophie’s flash that will be available for FREE on Saturday

“This is a compilation of my favourite tattoo imagery, inspired by American traditional and Chicano designs through the years,” says Sophie Rose Hunter, who’s tattooing at the event on Saturday.

Flash by Alex Rufio, available on Sunday

“I’m super excited to be joining the team at Tattoodo for their London launch! The platform they have created makes connecting with clients and managing their bookings massively easier. This event will show that it’s easier to access quality tattooing. I drew a range of classic tattoo ideas in a contemporary design so that clients new and old can get timeless tattoos to be proud of. I’m really looking forward to meeting new tattoo fans and tattoo veterans!” says Alex Rufio who’s tattooing on the Sunday.

**Matty Magee** will be tattooing from this flash sheet on Saturday

“These are classic designs to be applied with love and consideration. I’m excited about the event: meeting new people and tattooing are two of my favourite things to do, the perfect recipe for a lovely day,” says Matty Magee who’s tattooing on Saturday.

The event will be open to the public on a ‘walk-in’ basis throughout Saturday 22 April (12pm-7pm) and Sunday 23 April (12pm-6pm). The Tattoodo Flash Weekender is partnering with drinks sponsor Sailor Jerry. To grab a free ticket for Saturday or Sunday, head over to Eventbrite.

Location: 149 Shoreditch High Street London E1 6JQ