FAQs

How long have you been tattooing?

I started my apprenticeship in May 2013, and did my first tattoo on human skin in December 2014.

What made you want to go into tattooing?

There was no real “lightbulb” moment or single thing I can point to - I’ve just always known I wanted to make a living making art, and always been fascinated with tattoos and alternative culture… it seemed a no-brainer to stick the two together.

Do tattoos hurt?

In a short answer - yes. Though probably not in the way you’re expecting (or as much).

This is a difficult question to give a proper answer for, because for one, tattooing doesn’t really feel like anything else - it’s a pretty unique sensation. For another, it can be vastly different depending on the placement, the style of tattoo, the technique and equipment used by the tattooist, the length of the session, the client’s distribution of fat/muscle/bone, whether there’s any scarring or nerve damage in the area, and the clients own sensitivity to pain - and lots of other things can affect your experience too!
The combination of all these different factors mean that the pain level of getting tattooed can range from mildly uncomfortable to completely unbearable - though, generally speaking, I’d say it does tend to be more in the mild-to-mid-range pain field. (I mean - if every tattoo was ridiculously painful, we wouldn’t get many repeat customers!)

And at any rate - the pain is temporary, and the tattoo is permanent!

Can I see the design before my appointment?

Unfortunately I can’t send out designs ahead of appointments.

I’ve found that, as long as there is a clear communication of ideas beforehand, and the client knows what to expect from the artist (which, considering you’re here, you can easily see what kind of work I do!) - if any changes do need to be made, they tend to be small tweaks as opposed to full redraws, and they can be easily done on the day.

How much do you charge?

For things that can be done in one session, I quote per piece. For things that take multiple sessions, I charge £200 for a half-day session and £350 for a full day. If the tattoo is the kinda thing that takes me longer to set up for than to actually tattoo, there’s a base set-up cost of £40.

Can I use numbing cream?

I would really rather you didn’t! There are so many different ones on the market right now, and I can’t vouch for the safety or effectiveness of them. I tattoo in a sterile environment with products I know and trust, and I’m not comfortable introducing a foreign substance into the tattoo process. The skin reacts in unpredictable ways when you use them; it can become hard to tattoo or reject the ink, it can affect the healing process negatively; and if it does work, the pain is much worse if it hits you all at once when the cream wears off.

And honestly, you probably won’t even need it! As long as you prepare your body for the day - sleep well & eat well beforehand etc., (check out here for more on that) - you should be able to sit through the tattoo just fine. Let your body deal with the pain naturally, it knows what it’s doing and it’s good at it!

I live too far away to get tattooed by you, can I take this design to someone closer?

Again, I’d really, really rather you didn’t! I put a lot of time and effort into making designs; they’re one-off pieces for my clients. If someone else tattoos them, then I’ve essentially worked for them for free.

Even if another tattooist was to take my design and tattoo it for you, it wouldn’t look like one of my tattoos - every artist has different techniques and ways of working that influence the way a tattoo looks once it’s done. If you aren’t willing to, or are unable to, travel to a particular artist to get tattooed by them specifically, then I’d advise instead finding an artist you who’s work you like that’s close enough to you and letting them do their own thing - you’ll get the best out of them that way! If you want to use a design or tattoo of mine as a basis or inspiration then that’s fine - as long as you (or your artist) creates something new and unique for you from it.