Whether you’re covered in tats or prefer to remain ink-free, there’s no denying tattooing is an art. Click through to see who’s doing it best, and let these artists inspire your next piece (or just admire them from afar).
From: Harper’s BAZAAR US
Related articles:
https://www.harpersbazaar.com.sg/gallery/16-best-tattoo-artists-instagram/
The 16 Best Tattoo Artists On Instagram
MINKA SICKLINGER
image
MINKA SICKLINGER
Who: @minkasicklinger
Why: Sicklinger's eye for detail translates into bold, geometric tattoos depicting spiritual and natural motifs, animals and the human form.
TIMOR SUPER
image
TIMOR SUPER
Who: @timorsuper
Why: This tattooist's detailed pieces range from the ultra-surreal to hyper-realistic.
PETER AUSRISCH
image
PETER AUSRISCH
Who: @peteraurisch
Why: Aurisch works out of Berlin, adorning his customers with colorful, Picasso-inspired works.
SARAH GAUGLER
image
SARAH GAUGLER
Who: @sarahgaugler
Why: Gaugler proves her range with an oeuvre that includes tiny, spare line pieces and heavier, detailed works—all rendered with precision and skill.
SARAH HERZDAME
image
SARAH HERZDAME
Who: herzdame
Why: Sarah Herzdame works with a spare palette—black, gray and the occasional splash or red, green or blue —and specializes in geometry and shading for a wholly unique look.
COREY DIVINE
image
COREY DIVINE
Who: @coreydivine
Why: Divine's graphic, geometric tattoos are positively mesmerizing.
SUSANNE KÖNIG
image
SUSANNE KÖNIG
Who: @suflanda
Why: This German tattooist works solely in black ink to create surreal, highly-detailed pieces.
SASHA UNISEX
image
SASHA UNISEX
Who: @sashaunisex
Why: Sasha specializes in colorful, geometric pieces that she's expanded into temporary tattoos, pins and other merch.
JON BOY
image
JON BOY
Who: @jonboytattoo
Why: Those seeking tiny, delicate works flock to Jon Boy at West 4 Tattoo.
SCOTT CAMPBELL
image
SCOTT CAMPBELL
Who: @scampbell333
Why: New York-based Campbell is Marc Jacobs' go-to tattooer and has also inked the likes of Robert Downey Jr. and Courtney Love.
TEA LEIGH
image
TEA LEIGH
Who: @tealeigh
Why: Leigh is an illustrator who specializes in old-fashioned "stick and poke" tattoos, which use a needle to poke ink into the skin. Leigh's nature-inspired designs and hand motifs are beautifully delicate—and in high demand.
LAUREN WINZER
image
LAUREN WINZER
Who: @laurenwinzer
Why: This Aussie has amassed a massive following thanks to her girly tattoos of colorful cartoon characters and vibrant floral arrangements.
DR. WOO
image
DR. WOO
Who: @dr_woo_
Why: Dr. Woo (real name: Brian Woo) is one of the most in-demand tattoo artists in LA. He's inked the likes of Drake (famously, a prayer hand emoji) and Rihanna. According to the New York Times, his signature is a grouping of circles, arrows and dots, which fans have dubbed "Woo arrows."
BANG BANG
image
BANG BANG
Who: @bangbangnyc
Why: Keith "Bang Bang" McCurdy is a celebrity favorite; he's famously inked Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Miley Cyrus, Kylie Jenner and Cara Delevingne. McCurdy opened his first shop in NYC last year, and his Instagram showcases his work alongside the pieces done by his talented team of artists.
JOHNNY GLOOM
image
JOHNNY GLOOM
Who: @johnnygloom
Why: Gloom's graphic, all-black pieces evoke the mystery and seduction of film noir.
GEORGIA GREY
image
GEORGIA GREY
Who: @georgiagreynyc
Why: Grey's signature watercolor-inspired pieces look like they belong in a museum.