How to Choose the Right Tattoo Artist (Without Regretting It Later)
Shaun HorlockShare
Getting a tattoo is a bit like getting a houseplant, except it’s forever and can't wilt away in the corner of your room like it's in some sort of botanical palliative care.
Choose the wrong one and you’ll end up watering it with tears of regret. Choose the right one and you’ll grow together in harmony. (And you won’t be googling “laser tattoo removal near me” at 3am.)
So how do you *actually* find a tattoo artist you vibe with — someone whose work you love, whose process makes sense to you, and who’s not going to give you something you’ll want to hide under a long-sleeve hoodie forever?
Let me walk you through it — from one artist who only tattoos in his own weird and wonderful style, to you, hopefully someone who’s ready to wear art on their body forever.
Start With the Art — Not the Nearest Studio
Picking the closest tattoo shop because it’s around the corner might have worked in the early 2000s — but things have moved on. These days, tattooing is less about walking in on a whim and more about intentionally finding someone whose art speaks to your bones.
The UK’s not that big — loads of my clients travel across the country for work that suits them. North to South in a few hours, stop at a service station for a sad sandwich, then boom — you’re in my chair getting a fantasy sleeve and turning it into a long weekend. You get art *and* an adventure. What’s not to love?
Start by asking: What kind of artwork actually speaks to you? Do you like dark, gritty realism? Soft fantasy? Fine-line botanicals? Neo-traditional animals wearing Victorian hats? (Respect.)
Once you know your style, you can find an artist whose *entire body of work* lives in that world — not just someone who’s “done one a bit like that before.”
Insert picture: a few tattoo examples in different styles to illustrate contrast
Instagram: The Tattoo equivalent of Yellow Pages
Instagram is where most artists showcase their best, freshest work — it’s basically a magic scroll of portfolios. You get to see:
- How consistent their work is
- What kind of subjects they’re drawn to (pun intended)
- What their work-flow is, communication style and how your day will go when you book in with them
- What sort of clients they attract (which usually tells you a lot)
Swipe through. Stalk respectfully. If an artist’s page looks like a cohesive universe and makes you feel like “yep, I want that on my body,” you’re on the right track.
Pro tip: Check their highlights for tattoo designs, FAQs, booking info, and client prep guides. (I keep mine organised like a fantasy archive.)
Insert picture: screenshot-style example of a clean, themed Instagram grid
Look at the Linework. And the Shading. And the... Everything.
Now get a bit forensic. Zoom in. How’s the linework? Is it consistent? Clean? Does the shading feel intentional, or does it look like someone smudged a biro and hoped for the best?
If you’re after a soft, illustrative, fantasy tattoo — look for delicate whip shading and storytelling composition. If you want bold and graphic, the artist should have crisp saturation and punchy contrast.
The details matter. This isn’t fast fashion — it’s slow, intentional, personal artwork on skin. You want to find someone who’s mastered their tools and is fluent in the language of your chosen style.
Insert picture: zoomed-in detail of clean linework and shading in your own work
Don’t Just “Trust the Artist” – Choose the Right One First
“Just trust your artist” is great advice — but only if you’ve already chosen an artist whose style, philosophy, and process you actually align with.
Trust doesn’t mean giving a stranger a free pass to freestyle on your thigh with no plan. It means choosing someone whose entire portfolio makes you feel like you’re in safe, inspired hands — and then letting them do their thing.
I only work in my own hand-drawn fantasy style — and the reason I can do my best work is because my clients come to me specifically for *that* work. They’re not asking for a Pinterest tattoo or a cover-up of their ex’s name with a wolf howling at a rose.
Insert picture: sketchbook or drawing-to-tattoo process photo
Ask Yourself: Would You Want That Piece on Your Skin?
Here’s a quick gut check. Scroll through an artist’s recent work and ask yourself: “If this exact tattoo was on me, would I be excited to show it off?”
If the answer’s yes? Book a consult. If it’s “Well, I’d change a few bits…” keep looking. You don’t want a compromise. You want a connection.
Your skin deserves better than “good enough.” It deserves *right for you.*
Final Thoughts (and a Tiny Pep Talk)
Choosing a tattoo artist shouldn’t feel like buying batteries in a rush at Tesco. It’s more like commissioning a mural for your own personal temple.
So take your time. Do the scroll. Ask questions. Zoom in. Feel the vibe. Trust your instincts. And when you find an artist whose work feels like it already lives in your imagination — that’s your person.
And if you’re someone who loves hand-drawn, ethereal designs, glowing accent colours, fantasy creatures, and storytelling on skin… there’s a good chance we’d get on. You can browse my portfolio and learn more about my process here: Visit openmind.co