An artist-led approach to large scale tattooing

Large scale tattoos work best when they’re approached as a collaborative and artist lead process built on trust, planning and clear direction from the start..

When you book a large-scale tattoo with me — especially a sleeve or multi-session project — you’re not purchasing a walk-in service. You’re commissioning an artist to plan, design, and execute a permanent piece of artwork on your body. That distinction matters, and understanding it from the beginning helps ensure the best possible outcome for both of us.

COMMISSIONED work vs. WALK-IN tattoos

In many tattoo settings, clients arrive with a finished idea, point to a placement, and the artist executes it. That model works well for smaller or more straightforward tattoos. My work operates differently.

Large-scale tattoos require:

-Long-term planning

-Cohesive composition across the body

-Technical decisions about flow, contrast, and longevity

-A clear vision established early in the process

In this setting, my role isn’t just to apply the tattoo — it’s to lead the design process and take responsibility for how the finished piece looks, ages, and represents me and my work.

TRUST AND COLLABORATION

Because these tattoos are permanent and highly visible, trust is foundational. I’ve dedicated most of my life to this craft — studying composition, anatomy, realism, and how tattoos hold up over time. Let’s just say…it’s an obsession. When someone commissions me, they’re trusting not only my technical skill, but also my judgment about what will (and won’t) work. That doesn’t mean your input isn’t valued — it is. But it does mean that the best results come from clear decisions made up front, rather than ongoing changes mid-process.

WHY PLANNING MATTERS

Large-scale tattoos work best when:

The concept is clearly defined from the beginning

The scope and budget are aligned early

The design is planned as a complete piece, not assembled over time

When projects are approached à la carte — adding, removing, or reshaping ideas as we go — it often introduces unnecessary complexity, requires more time, and ultimately increases cost. Simply put, it overcomplicates what works best when planned as a complete piece. Trying to make elements “fit” after a large project is already underway isn’t ideal. At that point, decisions become reactive rather than intentional, and the overall cohesion of the tattoo can suffer. This approach also places pressure on the artist to constantly determine “what’s next,” often without a clear direction. Tattooing isn’t guesswork, and I’m not a mind reader — strong work comes from defined concepts and mutual clarity, not ongoing trial and error.

When projects evolve this way, it tends to create:

-More problem-solving than execution

-Increased back-and-forth and renegotiation

-Rejected ideas after time has already been invested

-Creative fatigue on both sides

Over time, my professional judgment may no longer align with the client’s shifting vision, which can compromise the final result. In my experience, the majority of clients who build sleeves this way wish they had committed to a clearer plan from the beginning.

This is why I place such an emphasis on thoughtful planning and complete concepts upfront — it protects the integrity of the tattoo, the experience, and the outcome you’ll live with long term.

THE ROLE OF PREDRAWN DESIGNS

This is also why I offer pre-drawn designs.

These designs:

-Remove guesswork

-Establish a clear visual direction

-Make budgeting straightforward

-Eliminate uncertainty around scope and execution

-Saves energy for the tattoo time as opposed to endless consults

For many clients, this approach is more efficient, less stressful, and leads to a smoother experience overall. Everything is already figured out — the vision, the flow, and the commitment on both sides.

BOUNDARIES AND FIT

I don’t take on every project, and I don’t work in every style or approach. That’s not a judgment — it’s simply an acknowledgment that fit matters. I won’t agree to designs I don’t believe in or that I don’t feel comfortable putting my name on. Saying no is part of doing this work responsibly.

Likewise, I understand that my process isn’t for everyone — and that’s okay. There are many talented artists and shops, and different working styles suit different people.

The best tattoo experiences happen when:

-Expectations are clear

-Trust goes both ways

-The process is respected as much as the result

If you’re drawn to my work and comfortable with an artist-led, commissioned approach, I’m excited to collaborate with you. If not, I genuinely encourage you to find an artist whose process feels like the right fit.

The goal is the same on both sides: a tattoo that looks right, feels right, and holds up for the rest of your life.