Speciality

Colour Realism.

Vivid, photorealistic tattoos that bring colour to life on skin. Custom-designed in Manchester.

Manchester & Salford · From £140/hr · Currently booking July – August 2026

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What is Colour Realism?

Colour realism is a tattooing discipline that reproduces subjects with photographic accuracy and vivid colour. Unlike traditional tattooing, it relies on smooth gradients, precise light rendering, and carefully layered pigments to create depth that looks three-dimensional on skin.

Popular subjects include portraits, wildlife, florals, and cinematic compositions — anything where colour, light, and detail tell the story. Each piece I create is a one-off design built around your concept, your anatomy, and your skin tone.

🎨

True-to-Life Colour

Multiple pigment layers blended to match real-world tones — from subtle skin hues to saturated reds, blues, and greens.

💡

Light & Shadow

Realistic light sources, reflections, and contrast that create a sense of depth and dimension on the skin.

✦

Custom Composition

Every design is built from scratch around your body's shape, movement, and the placement area. No templates, no repeats.

How It Works

From idea to finished piece

1

Consultation

Send me your concept: subject, references, preferred placement, and any colour palette ideas. I'll respond with an honest assessment — what will work, what I'd adjust, and a time/cost estimate.

2

Design

I create the design specifically for your body shape and placement. You'll see it on the day of your appointment, with time to discuss adjustments before we start.

3

Session

A standard session runs up to 7 hours. Colour realism requires careful layering — building depth gradually to achieve that photorealistic finish. Larger pieces are split across multiple sessions with 4–6 weeks healing between each.

4

Aftercare & Longevity

Colour tattoos need diligent aftercare and lifelong UV protection to stay vibrant. I provide a detailed aftercare guide and follow up during your healing.

Other specialities

Black & Grey Realism

Dramatic contrast, smooth shading, timeless monochrome work.

Cover-up Tattoos

Transforming old ink into something you'll be proud of.

Colour Realism FAQ

Colour realism generally requires more time than black and grey due to layering and blending. A medium-sized piece (forearm, shoulder) typically takes 1–3 sessions of up to 7 hours each. Full sleeves usually require 8–10 sessions. The exact timeline depends on size, detail, and your skin type.
Colour tattoos can fade faster if exposed to UV without protection. With proper aftercare and regular SPF use, a well-executed colour realism tattoo maintains its vibrancy for years. Lighter tones (yellows, pinks) may soften slightly over time, while deeper colours (reds, blues, greens) hold very well.
Skin tone influences how certain colours appear once healed. Lighter skin shows a wider colour range, while darker skin tones work best with bolder, more saturated palettes. During your consultation, I will recommend the best approach for your individual skin tone to ensure the most vivid, long-lasting result.
My hourly rate is £140. A small to medium colour realism piece may take 4–7 hours (£560–£980), while larger projects like sleeves are built over multiple sessions. I provide a time estimate after reviewing your concept so you can plan your budget before booking.
Send as many reference images as possible: photos of the subject, colour palettes you like, examples of style and mood, and the placement on your body. The more detail you provide, the closer the final design will be to your vision. I create every design as a unique custom piece.
The pain level depends on placement, not the style. Colour realism does involve more passes over the same area to build up layers, so sessions can feel more intense towards the end. I always work at a pace that's manageable, and we take breaks as needed. Detailed preparation tips are available on the main FAQ page.
Absolutely. Many of my pieces blend colour and black-and-grey realism — for example, a vivid portrait surrounded by monochrome background elements, or selective colour accents within a predominantly grey composition. We'll discuss the best approach during your consultation.
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Ready for colour?

Currently booking July – August 2026

Send me your idea — a photo, a description, a rough sketch — and I'll get back to you with an honest assessment, time estimate, and next steps.

No deposit required until we've agreed on the concept.

Inquiries

[email protected]
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From £140/hr