The Process

From Idea to Finished Piece

This is the process I generally follow for custom and large-scale work. Every project is different, but larger pieces benefit from having a clear direction and strong foundation before we start building the detail.

Flash works a little differently. Those designs already exist, so once you’ve chosen one and we’ve agreed placement and scale, you can usually just turn up and get tattooed.

For custom work, you don’t need to arrive with a finished design. A subject, feeling, reference or rough direction is enough to begin.

Book a Tattoo

01. Start With the Idea

Send over what you have in mind, where you’d like it placed and roughly how large you’re thinking.

A clear, straight on photo of the area you'd like tattooed is essential for a good flowing design.

References are welcome, but they don’t need to dictate the finished design. I’m more interested in understanding what you’re drawn to, what matters to you and what you want the piece to feel like.

Start an enquiry

02. Finding the Right Direction

From there, we talk through the idea together.

You bring the starting point. I bring the experience of knowing what will work in the placement, at the scale you’re considering and within my style.

Sometimes that means developing the original idea further. Sometimes I may suggest simplifying, enlarging, repositioning or approaching something differently so the finished tattoo has the strongest possible result.

Collaboration means finding that direction together, then trusting me to turn it into a tattoo that works.

03. Designing for the Body

Before I focus on detail, I work out how the tattoo needs to move across the body.

Shape, silhouette, negative space, focal points and flow come first. With larger projects, the area is considered as one complete composition rather than a collection of separate images.

The body itself is part of the design.

For full sleeves and other complex large-scale projects, I’m happy to send a general composition sketch beforehand. This is less about showing the finished artwork and more about confirming the overall layout, major elements and how I intend the piece to move around the body. I’ll also explain the reasoning behind those decisions.

04. Developing the Artwork

Once the composition is established, I develop the artwork using my signature style.

Illustrative fantasy, heavy contrast, whip shading, strong silhouettes and selective areas of vivid colour all play a part.

I generally don’t send complete finished designs before the appointment. We will already have agreed the direction, and I need enough freedom to refine the artwork around the body rather than designing by committee before we’ve even seen it on skin.

05. Building the Foundation

The first session of a large-scale project is often about establishing as much of the composition as possible.

A good amount of time may be spent placing stencils, adjusting them to the body and freehanding elements where necessary. Wherever practical, I want to map out enough of the sleeve or larger composition that we have a solid foundation to build from.

That initial setup matters.

Once the major elements and flow are established, each session afterwards has a clear continuation point. It means we can spend more time developing the tattoo and less time repeatedly solving the same placement problems from scratch.

Depending on the project, we may then begin linework, shading, colour or whichever stage makes the most sense.

Large-Scale Projects

Built Over Time

Sleeves, legs and backpieces are multi-session projects, but there is no useful one-size-fits-all answer for how long they take.

Bodies vary enormously. So do the amount of coverage, level of detail, use of colour and complexity of the design.

Once I understand the project and the person it is being designed for, I can give a much more useful idea of what the commitment is likely to involve.

For larger projects, I usually recommend securing multiple dates so the work can develop with good momentum and continuity.

Enquire about a large-scale piece

06. Heal, Settle, Continue

After each session, the tattoo needs time to heal and settle.

You’ll receive clear aftercare guidance, and larger projects continue once the previous work is ready for the next stage.

As the tattoo develops, I can also respond to how the existing work is sitting on the body and make sensible adjustments where they improve the overall piece.