10 BADASS REALISM TATTOO ARTISTS

Though classic realism has been a part of the fine art since as far back as the Renaissance, it only found its way to the world of tattoos recently, cropping up around the latter half of the 20th century. Since then, this new tattoo style has become increasingly refined and extremely popular. As it now stands, you can find jaw-dropping color and black and grey portraits of pretty much any celebrity you can think of as well as realistic depictions of nature and just about anything else imaginable, even the surreal.

-- Justine Morrow "Essential Guide to Realistic Tattoos"

Many realism tattoo artists use the foundation built and inspired by Pop Art.

Using the technique of mapping shadows in photographs, realism tattoos are created.There is not one specific style or visual to realism tattoos. Practically anything can be turned into a Realism tattoo—from video stills, photographs, animals, flowers, paintings, and even memes, there is an artist out there who can do virtually anything. Below we have cultivated a list of some of our favorite Realism tattoos and artists. We know you guys are willing to go just about anywhere for your next ink, so check them out and get inspired!

From left to right, top to bottom:
@yunusonergenc
@snuffy.nyc
@comma_ttt
@shooby_tattoo
@antmikes
@ponywave
@douglasprudentetattoo
@robdansontattoo
@mihail_kogut
@fountain.nyc