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1453 Garnet Ave · (858) 483-7828

Call Redemption Ink

1440 Garnet Ave · (858) 291-8833

A black and grey realism sleeve combines a veiled woman, thorn-crowned man and roses.A black and grey realism portrait of Jesus with tears and a crown of thorns covers a forearm.

Tattoo styles

Black and grey

Black ink and water, nothing else: from soft photographic shading to hard-edged fine line, the style most of our artists call home.

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Everything you can do with one color

Black and grey is black ink diluted into washes, from near-white to solid. It covers photographic realism, religious and chicano work, portraits, lettering, florals and fine line. What they share is contrast: the blacks have to be black for the greys to read.

A black and grey realistic owl beneath stars and clouds covers the arm.
Black and grey illustrative skull entwined with a snake and a blue eye sits on the forearm.A black and grey realism dog portrait with upright ears and a collar covers a forearm.

It is the style with the most range at the shops, and the one most of our artists started in: a portrait, a prayer, a lettering piece and a fine line sprig can all be black and grey and sit together on one arm, which makes it the easiest style to build a sleeve around.

A black and grey realistic woman with clown makeup, cracked skin and a wide grin covers the forearm.
Black and grey illustrative skull in an ornate knight's helmet covers the inner upper arm.

Fresh off the needle

  • A black and grey realistic woman's face dissolves into flowing blackwork lines down a lower leg.
  • Black soundwave pattern down a forearm, tattooed by Seth Reynolds
  • A black and grey illustrative shark in a cap holds a rifle on a calf.
  • A blackwork pin-up figure with flowers for a head and fishnet stockings stands on an outer upper arm.
  • A black and grey realistic broken classical bust covers the side of a stomach.
  • A black and grey illustrative horned skull with hanging feathers covers a forearm.
  • Black and grey illustrative lilies and a sunflower run down the outer thigh.
  • A black and grey illustrative raven with a crescent moon and red brush strokes covers the forearm.
  • A black and grey realistic brain, eye and anatomical heart connect along the outer upper arm.
  • A black and grey illustrative ice pop filled with sliced fruit sits on the arm.
  • A black and grey illustrative eagle, flag and guitar surround a Free Bird banner on the upper arm.
  • A black and grey realistic roaring lion stretches across the ankle and lower leg.
  • A black and grey realistic lion face and roaring lion cover an inner upper arm.
  • A black-and-grey Japanese foo dog face with curling details covers the back of a hand.
  • A black and grey realistic woman's face with a lace mask, roses and scrollwork covers a back.
  • A black-and-grey realistic compass over a weathered map covers a shoulder and upper arm.
  • A black and grey realism woman's face with clown-style lines sits above a "Loyalty" mask on the forearm.
  • A realistic black and grey woman's face with stone-like cracks and a snake covers an upper arm.
  • Black and grey realism back tattoo combines a grim reaper, skeletons and an hourglass.
  • A realistic crowned lion with green eyes sits above flowers in an arm tattoo.
  • Realistic black and grey lion cubs sit above sunflowers in an arm tattoo.
  • A black and grey woman's portrait with snakes in her hair and flowers beside her face fills a forearm.
  • A black and grey realism navigation instrument covers a forearm.
  • Black and grey realism tattoo of a bearded warrior with a trident and lightning covers the upper arm.

Smooth is slow

Black and grey realism wolves and a mountain forest cover the back above flowers and orange butterflies.
Black and grey traditional hourglass with a skull and scythe sits on the forearm.

Good grey shading is built in passes and cannot be rushed, so a black and grey piece takes longer than a color piece of the same size. The payoff is depth that color cannot match and a piece that reads as one tone as it ages.

Leo, Diego and Stellie lead with black and grey; Skott, Hunter, Roger, Arty and Slaine all work in it. The artist pages show who leans realistic, who leans illustrative, who leans fine, and whose hand you want for it.

At a glance

Ink
Black, diluted to greys
Range
Realism to fine line
Sessions
By size; shading is slow
Ageing
Very good with strong blacks
Artists
Most of the crew

Who to ask for black and grey

A realistic black and grey eye sits among roses and butterflies in a diamond on an upper arm.A black and grey realistic plague doctor in a top hat appears inside an ornate frame on a thigh.

Questions people ask

A black and grey realistic owl with orange eyes covers an upper arm.

Will the greys fade to nothing?

Light greys soften over the years; that is why the artist anchors every piece with solid black. Sunblock and a touch-up keep it crisp.

Can I add color later?

Yes. Many pieces start black and grey and take a single color accent later. Plan for it at the start if you think you might.

A black and grey illustrative sleeve of reaching hands, rays, a hooded skull and flames runs down a leg.

Is fine line the same thing?

Fine line is black and grey done with single needles and thin lines. Stellie works that way; see the illustrative page for more.

Japanese color orange koi with waves and red blossoms covers the upper arm.Black fine-line poppies and small blossoms with leafy stems sit on the side of the abdomen.

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