Getting a blackwork tattoo is a lot like getting any other type of tattoo

At least it is when it comes to choosing the person to get your tattoo from. There’s no universal “right” or “wrong” way to do these things. But there are various approaches and methods for getting a blackwork tattoo, some of which will align with your expectations and desires for a tattoo. I can’t emphasise enough the importance of picking the right person for the job.

In a previous blog post about how to get “The Best Blackwork Tattoo”  I outline my approach to these things. I have always focused on creating the best tattoo and experience I’m capable of for my clients. Could I speed my process up? Yes. But only by compromising on the quality, which for me is out of the question.

I have spent years working in this manner which has resulted in a certain type of person reaching out to me for work. This type of person is committed, trusting and open-minded. As well as being willing to allow me to work in the way I can get the best results for both of us. My clients find me through various channels, from seeing a tattoo I’ve done in the flesh, or in a magazine. Sometimes they follow a link online or happen upon my website and of course, there’s social media.

Below is a testimonial from Phil, a client I’m currently working with. What started out as a sleeve is now heading to a bodysuit. I want the people researching their next tattoo and looking at my blog to find out what getting a blackwork tattoo is like.

A word of mouth (although technically word of writing) account of being tattooed at UN1TY Tattoo by a real person.

Unison in UN1TY

“I first contacted Hanumantra in the summer of 2017 after I saw a good friend had liked his posts on Facebook. Being colourblind, I was looking for a blackwork artist and I looked at the various tattoos he had posted about and loved the tribal influenced designs I saw.

As a lover of science fiction, I wanted a tattoo for my left arm that reflected a futuristic, cyborg look incorporated into the design I had in mind. I emailed Hanumantra explaining what I was after and happily Hanumantra agreed to design and work on it. I didn’t see the design before I met Hanumantra for the first time in January 2018, only on the day, and I was very happy to find that Hanumantra had not only taken the ideas from my thoughts on the design but had incorporated them into his recognisable and cool style. A year later and the tattoo was complete and went beyond my expectations. I loved how the design turned out and amazed at how straight some of the lines were giving it the futuristic look I was after.

Before the arm was finished, I asked Hanumantra if he would work on my right leg next with a similar design to the arm. Hanumantra suggested that the design be a little more fluid so the design flowed with the contours of my leg. He didn’t show me the designs he had sketched before we started the two day drawing and lining session, the design unfolded on me as the two days progressed. And I was more than happy with what Hanumantra had come up with and as the filling in progressed, the design really popped, and I fell in love with the tattoo more and more, which was completed in January 2020.

I then asked Hanumantra if the next piece could be from the waist to chest, incorporating a title sequence from 1960’s Doctor Who, which is my favourite tv show, on my chest as the title sequence is very fluid and organic in movement. Again, I feel Hanumantra has captured this movement but in his inimitable style, and partway through filling in, I can’t wait to see how this turns out before we move onto the next piece.

Being tattooed by Hanumantra is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. He welcomes you into his private studio which is light, clean and a very relaxing environment to spend a day being tattooed in. From my experience, he is committed and attentive to his clients and ensuring that they walk away with a top notch tattoo that is unique to them and unlike any other tattoo artist in style. What amazes me is how Hanumantra is able to draw, line and ink a design that flows, ebbs and sits so well on the part of the body he is working on. Each session of filling in is intense but that’s alleviated by the relaxed environment, and banter throughout the day so it feels more like I am visiting a friend who happens to be a tattooist. Importantly, Hanumantra also respects when you feel you want to finish after an intense day of being tattooed and the adrenaline is flagging.

For me, Hanumantras work on me has made me think more positively about myself and my body and it also represents a journey moving away from a difficult period of my life into a far more positive one as each tattoo has progressed. And it’s made me be more confident in myself as people do look at my tattoos when I am out, as they are such bold and unusual designs.

Being tattooed by Hanumantra is very much a positive and unique experience, one which involves time and commitment on my part which I am more than happy to give as he is committed to giving me and his clients amazing and personal tattoos. The design of each tattoo ends up being a two way process with Hanumantra from the initial discussion and thoughts of the next piece through to completion and he listens to what you may have to say. Each tattoo will take as long as it takes but the time and commitment are more than worth it and I will continue seeing Hanumantra until there is no more room for him to add more of his art on me. Simply put, I trust Hanumantra to design, line and fill in each new tattoo to create a unique and personal piece of artwork on my skin.

Cheers

Phil”