MasterCourse: Realistic Tattooing in Color

Color Realism requires specialization.

And to achieve it, I didn't need to invest in the most expensive machine or the finest inks; I had to focus on the essential: learning how it's done. The best tattoo artists are constantly learning.

No one starts with color realism in tattooing. It's essential to master the inks and their theory (highly underrated) and to ensure that the tattoo is vibrant, realistic, and heals well. It would be madness to try it without knowing everything in detail.

But if you've already worked with black ink, know how to shade, and have drawing skills, you're just three steps away from tattooing Color Realism: learning color theory, mastering the different inks, and learning the correct techniques.

Can inks of different brands be mixed?

Color Realism shares several techniques with Black and White. The bases are the same, from black fillings to lines, whites, and shadings.

In this MasterCourse, I guide you through everything else: its theory, the selection and mixing of inks, color tattooing specific techniques, and how to avoid injuries or excessive saturation.

Do you know what a color glaze is?

"Learn the rules like a Professional so you can break them like an Artist."

That is what Picasso said. It's no use knowing how to apply color if you choose the wrong one. It's no use knowing the steps if the wrong order spoils the final result.

We, artists, hate rules. But at the same time, we are aware of their value. Preliminary design, machines, needles, inks... it all adds up. I will show you my vision of color theory and how to bring it to your workstation (which, in the end, is what matters).

That's why this theoretical block is direct and straightforward. No bullshit.

In this block, you will learn the following:

"I want it in color... but not too big".

A classic. It's one thing to tattoo in a minimalist way and quite another to do MicroRealism. So... What is the minimum size allowed for this?

The reality is that it depends on many factors: reference image, the skin of your client, details, and colors...

One of the key things I've learned throughout my career is that, in addition to black lines, another application that works great when the client doesn't want a huge tattoo is glazing, as long as you apply it in a specific way.

I will show you how I finish this small piece using lines, textures and glazes with a minimal color palette.

Throughout this module, you will learn the following:

"Be Smart: Red & Black"

One of the most successful ways to get in touch with color Realism is doing a tattoo with a single red color range and a slightly reduced size.

By doing this, you learn the technique first; second, you use the most accessible range of inks to apply; and finally, it allows you to correct mistakes quickly and focus on methodology and technique over theory. It's just perfect; that's how I started years ago.

In this tattoo, I finish a frame from the movie "Kill Bill" in a single session, placed on the inside of the biceps, to teach you in-depth the proper steps to tattoo Realism and avoid the feared color contamination.

Throughout a step-by-step & un-cut process and with explanations during each step, you'll learn:

"Isn't it more exciting when you don't have permission?"

Mia Wallace said this sentence in this scene from the movie "Pulp Fiction," and I couldn't agree more.

Sometimes strict rules prevent us from having fun and achieving different, creative results. I practice quite the opposite in this tattoo: I make a tattoo by modifying colors and improvising throughout the session as if I were painting a picture. I comply with the standards of color theory... But without overdoing it and giving preference to the stain over the detail.

Besides, the tattoo is quite extensive. Therefore we will do it in two sessions and analyze the healing process between them when everything is ready.

Throughout these lessons, I teach you:

"Seems like it's going to come off the arm."

Tough skin, slightly tanned, and an ultra-detailed tattoo with bright complementary colors. Well... This piece is, without a doubt, the most challenging tattoo of this course. So much that I almost went crazy doing it.

Thanks to this difficulty, I can show you many technical mistakes and handy tips during the process and explain the decisions I made in the first and the following session.

Some areas will need a touch-up; others... Have turned out great.

Throughout these lessons, you can learn the following:

"Tattooing is good. Tattooing your own style is excellent".

This is what many of us aspire to. Having your own style allows you to be unique and different and gives your clients an exclusive seal of identity.

But to tattoo Realism in color with your personal style, there are many things to consider. I explain how I have achieved it by mixing several techniques: solid fills, glazes, monochromatic areas, neon effect, and using two complementary colors: red and blue.

Throughout these lessons, you learn:

"We all like to show the world that we are constantly learning."

Your clients will love to see it too. That's why our 10 Masters Certificate includes a QR code to verify that you have completed this course. Plus, you can choose five different designs to suit your studio's style.

But first, you'll have to test yourself with our quiz, which you can retake as many times as you need.

To round off this course, I will answer the students' frequently asked questions and update this episode whenever you have doubts or if there is a new topic to talk about and discuss.

In this final block, you will be able to solve the following questions: