In the world of tattoo art, there are many styles, but one of them stands out for its boldness and uniqueness – blackout tattoos. This style, which involves completely covering the skin with black pigment, has become a real trend in recent years. However, like any other aspect of tattoo culture, blackout requires a serious approach and understanding of the process.
One of the people who has gone through this journey and is ready to share his experience is Dave Chudley. Starting his journey in 2020, he gradually covered a significant part of his body with black tattoos, becoming a true enthusiast of this style. But his path was not easy, and he is ready to talk about what went wrong and how to avoid similar mistakes.
What are blackout tattoos?
For those unfamiliar with this style, blackout tattoos are the process of completely covering the skin with black pigment. This is often done to cover old tattoos or to create a new, bolder look. Unlike other styles where detail and artistic composition are important, blackout focuses on creating a smooth, uniform coverage.
Beginner Mistakes
Dave Chudley admits that if he could go back to the beginning of his journey, he would do many things differently. One of the main mistakes he made was perceiving blackout as a simple process. “It’s just coloring in,” he thought at first. However, as he quickly realized, it’s far from that. “It’s not just coloring the skin. It’s about not damaging the skin in the process, achieving a smooth finish, full saturation,” he explains.
The Importance of a Specialist
Another significant mistake Dave made was not seeking out a specialist immediately. At the beginning of his journey, he worked with a regular tattoo artist who lacked sufficient experience in blackout. This resulted in his first forearm tattoo not matching the rest of his work after healing. He had to have it removed and start over.
Now Dave works with Johnny Ransom, who specializes exclusively in blackout tattoos. “His saturation is the best. He knows how to do it, it’s the only thing he does. He’s the best in the UK, maybe even in Europe,” Dave states.
Evolution of the Process
In recent years, the process of creating blackout tattoos has significantly improved. There is now a clear plan of action that includes choosing the right inks, needles, and machines, as well as knowing how to best heal the tattoo. “There’s a very clear blueprint now for how the work is done. We know what inks to use, what needles, what machine, how best to heal it,” says Dave.
Societal Reaction
Although blackout tattoos look very radical, Dave notes that in real life, he rarely encounters people’s reactions. Most of the attention he receives is on social media, where his videos go viral and reach audiences not involved in the tattoo industry. “The reactions come from the internet. When a video goes viral, it reaches an audience that isn’t involved in the tattoo industry. For people in the tattoo industry, it’s just blackout,” he explains.
Dave Chudley’s story is an example of how important it is to approach the choice of tattoo artist and style with caution. Blackout tattoos are not just about coloring the skin; they are a complex process that requires professionalism and experience. If you are planning to try this style, be sure to consult a specialist who has experience in blackout, and be prepared for the process to take longer than you expect.