Look for an artist by style, not by how close they are to home or how cheap they are: first find work that looks like your idea, then see who made it. In a portfolio, look for healed tattoos and clean lines; in messages, look for clear answers and no pressure. A consultation before booking is the best way to tell whether this is the right person for you.
Where to look
Start with the style, not the artist. Once you know you want fine line or blackwork, the field narrows straight away. Look for work that resembles your idea, then see whose it is.
- Instagram. Search by city and style, check studio tags and look at work in your recommendations.
- People you know. Ask people whose tattoos you like, especially if the tattoos have already healed.
- Pinterest. If you like an image, track down the person who made it rather than asking another artist to copy it.
- Studio websites and maps. You can see reviews, the address and what the studio looks like.
If you haven't chosen a style yet, start with “Choosing a tattoo style”.
How to read a portfolio
A beautiful feed isn't the same as a good portfolio. Look past the follower count to the work itself:
- Work in your style. If the artist does a bit of everything, look for what they're strongest at.
- Consistency. One great piece tells you nothing. What matters is that dozens of them are good.
- Lines. Clean, even in thickness, with no wobbles or breaks. Circles are round, straight lines are straight.
- Photos of tattoos. Drawings on paper show the artist's illustration skills; tattoos on skin show their tattooing skills.
Healed work matters more than fresh
A fresh tattoo always looks vivid: the skin is slightly swollen, the pigment is shiny, the lines look perfect. You can judge the work more clearly a month or more later. Healed work shows whether the pigment went in evenly, whether the lines have spread and whether there are any gaps.
Don't be shy about asking for photos of healed work. I don't mind at all: it's the right thing to ask. A fresh tattoo is easy to photograph beautifully, but you see the true result later.
Reviews and reputation
Reviews are useful if you read them wisely. Look for ones with details: how the session went, how it healed, what the artist explained about aftercare.
- one unhappy review isn't a disaster — what matters is how the artist responded to it;
- a stream of glowing reviews with identical wording is a warning sign;
- a review with a photo of healed work is worth more than ten “all great!” ones.
How the artist communicates
Messages tell you a lot about the person you'll be spending several hours with. A good artist asks about placement and size, gives you a rough price and calmly explains their terms. They might suggest changing the idea or even talk you out of it — a sign that they're thinking about the result.
Pressure, rushing you to pay a deposit and agreeing to everything without a single question are all warning signs. The full list is in “Red flags when choosing an artist”. For help writing a message that gets a clear answer, see “Your first message to a tattoo artist”.
The consultation: the final check
A consultation at the studio lets you meet the artist in person and see the workspace. I offer free consultations at the studio, by video call or by message, whichever suits you. Afterwards, check:
For what to look for in a studio, see “Tattoo studio safety”.
Take your time choosing
It's worth spending a couple of weeks choosing an artist. Save the profiles you like in a separate folder, compare their work in your chosen style and message two or three of them. Don't choose an artist just because they're the cheapest or can see you soonest: fixing someone else's work will cost you more. For more on why prices differ, see “What goes into the price of a tattoo”.
Frequently asked questions
People ask about choosing an artist before they've even sent their first message. Can't find your question? Message me on Telegram or Instagram. I reply personally.
What matters more: the artist or the studio?
The artist. The studio is responsible for the working environment and cleanliness, but one person does the tattoo itself.
Can I message several artists at once?
Yes, that's perfectly normal. Just be honest with the ones you won't be going to — it's polite and takes one line.
Should I choose an artist who's just starting out?
It can be a good choice if you like their work and you've seen it healed. But for a large or complex tattoo, it's better to choose someone with plenty of experience doing similar work.
How can I tell if the portfolio photos are genuine?
Look for recurring details: the same studio, the same lighting, a similar way of presenting the work. Run a reverse image search — other people's work often turns up straight away.
