May 20, 2026

So I have this horrible tattoo. It's actually already a coverup, and sort of …

So I have this horrible tattoo. It's actually already a coverup, and sort of an unfinished jailhouse coverup, if you can imagine that. It's got big areas that aren't shaded or anything, just outlin…

May 20, 2026

Ask Guy, June 2013: What about this scar?

Ask Guy, June 2013: What about this scar?

May 20, 2026

This month I'm taking a look at work by Rusty Dornhecker of Red Tree Gallery …

This month I'm taking a look at work by Rusty Dornhecker of Red Tree Gallery in Columbus, Ohio. Rusty was a tattooist around 20 years ago, but (he feels) under the wrong circumstances and the wrong…

May 20, 2026

This month I'm critiquing Oliver Wong, who works in the Bay Area but has appr…

This month I'm critiquing Oliver Wong, who works in the Bay Area but has apprenticed in part with the great Just Shao of Shanghai, China. I recently had a chance to do a collaborative tattoo projec…

May 20, 2026

The work we're looking at today is by Mason of Blue Tattoo Cafe in San Diego,…

The work we're looking at today is by Mason of Blue Tattoo Cafe in San Diego, CA. He says: "Being a self taught artist of three years and a shop owner, I never pass on the opportunity to have anoth…

May 20, 2026

Lines and Edges: A Critique Example The tattoo that I'm critiquing for the Li…

Lines and Edges: A Critique Example The tattoo that I'm critiquing for the Lines & Edges example is by Cecelia, who was asked by her client to do a "Mother Nature" type piece that represents the pr…

May 20, 2026

We are well into the second year of taking questions of all sorts from both a…

We are well into the second year of taking questions of all sorts from both artists and collectors, and have had many questions about improving overall tattooing. I think the best format for this i…

May 20, 2026

Welcome to this month's edition of Ask Guy, where I've been taking your most …

Welcome to this month's edition of Ask Guy, where I've been taking your most challenging questions over the past several years, and trying to make sense of them. For this past year the column has b…

May 20, 2026

Many of you have been asking about collaborations, since multiple artist tatt…

Many of you have been asking about collaborations, since multiple artist tattooing has become a popular and successful experience for many tattooers. There have been a lot of high-profile collabora…

May 20, 2026

Critiques are a long-standing tradition among artists, especially in academic…

Critiques are a long-standing tradition among artists, especially in academic settings. Outside the classroom it's sometimes hard to get an honest critique aimed at helping rather than tearing down…

May 20, 2026

May 20, 2026

This month I'm taking a look at the work of Colin Byrne of DC Tattoos in Irel…

This month I'm taking a look at the work of Colin Byrne of DC Tattoos in Ireland, who aims to be a versatile artist who can work proficiently in many styles. Colin has been a client of mine for sev…

May 20, 2026

I'm always excited to do a critique, since there's generally such a positive …

I'm always excited to do a critique, since there's generally such a positive response from everyone. I'm especially grateful to the individuals who are willing to come forward and have their work c…

May 20, 2026

from Wile: As a new tattooer to the industry, how do you go about sticking to…

from Wile: As a new tattooer to the industry, how do you go about sticking to a style when it isn't popular in your area? I'll give you my situation as an example. In my area traditional tattoos ar…

May 20, 2026

, from Robert: Hey Guy, I know you've done a lot of collaborations with other…

, from Robert: Hey Guy, I know you've done a lot of collaborations with other artists like Paul Booth and Jack Rudy. I work in a shop with some other pretty decent artists and we're starting to tal…

May 20, 2026

Welcome to the latest installment of Ask Guy, where I'm taking questions from…

Welcome to the latest installment of Ask Guy, where I'm taking questions from both artists and collectors about all questions relating to the tattoo art form. I'm hoping that with my 26 years in th…

May 20, 2026

From Jennifer: Hello, I have severe acne scaring on my back, shoulders, & che…

From Jennifer: Hello, I have severe acne scaring on my back, shoulders, & chest. The scars are older & smoothing out (15+ years). Can deep pitted skin be tattooed? If so how do I go about finding a…

May 20, 2026

I've gotten a great variety of questions ranging from artistic to professiona…

I've gotten a great variety of questions ranging from artistic to professional to healing concerns, and I've been enjoying the diversity of conversation. This month, though, I'd like to touch on so…

May 20, 2026

Welcome to the third installment of my column, Ask Guy, where I'm responding …

Welcome to the third installment of my column, Ask Guy, where I'm responding to questions from both artists and collectors. Tattoo Magazine has generously provided me with the space to share these …

May 20, 2026

Welcome to the second installment of my column, Ask Guy, where I'm responding…

Welcome to the second installment of my column, Ask Guy, where I'm responding to questions from both artists and collectors. I want to thank Tattoo Magazine for providing the space for me to do thi…

May 20, 2026

As seen in Tattoo Magazine, December 2012

As seen in Tattoo Magazine, December 2012

May 20, 2026

So I went in to try to apply for a tattoo apprenticeship, and basically they …

So I went in to try to apply for a tattoo apprenticeship, and basically they told me that flamer like me has no place in the tattoo industry and would never be able to break in. They were the only…

May 20, 2026

I have been tattooing for about 15 years and I am well-known in my area. I d…

I have been tattooing for about 15 years and I am well-known in my area. I do well and I am also a High School Art teacher of 23 years. Unfortunately my shading does not have a smooth transitioni…

May 20, 2026

When im tattooing and the tattoo requires to use a solid black in some areas,…

When im tattooing and the tattoo requires to use a solid black in some areas, the tattoo doesn't look damaged or swollen when it's fresh, but when it starts to heal it tends to look damaged- a heav…

May 20, 2026

I'm still early into my apprenticeship although I am pleased with my progress…

I'm still early into my apprenticeship although I am pleased with my progress, im am still looking for a really light gray wash, i want to use a really light gray and get more values into my tattoos.

May 20, 2026

I'm having a real problem with blowing people out, left and right... any advice?

I'm having a real problem with blowing people out, left and right... any advice?

May 20, 2026

I've been tattooing close to a decade now and one of the things I still have …

I've been tattooing close to a decade now and one of the things I still have trouble with is getting black in tribal tattoos to lay down smooth and in as few passes as possible. I've watched artist…

May 20, 2026

I have a question about clientele approach...

I have a question about clientele approach...

May 20, 2026

Sometimes when I am tattooing an outline I notice the needle sometimes sticks…

Sometimes when I am tattooing an outline I notice the needle sometimes sticks in the skin of who I am tattooing. Am I not using the correct amount of power to outline the tattoo?

May 20, 2026

I'm tattooïng for five years now. When i put in color, i always have to …

I'm tattooïng for five years now. When i put in color, i always have to give it a second pass after three weeks, when the tattoo is healed, because it's never bright and smooth enough. Doesn't…

May 20, 2026

What is the proper way of obtaining a apprentice ship. when you have no tatt…

What is the proper way of obtaining a apprentice ship. when you have no tattoo experience but quality art work.

May 20, 2026

I was wondering about reactions to red pigments and any solutions to the very…

I was wondering about reactions to red pigments and any solutions to the very difficult heal that comes from it...any advice on severe reactions to red inks?

May 20, 2026

I've been tattooing about 5 years now and feel I've hit a barrier. I want to …

I've been tattooing about 5 years now and feel I've hit a barrier. I want to push myself in new artistic directions. Other artists at our shop seem to be happy doing only traditional and Oriental s…

May 20, 2026

What Can I Do About My Sore Tired Back

, from Ryan: I'm a little over 6' tall and I find it extremely difficult to tattoo without leaning over. Because of this I've developed constant back strain that even multiple different chiropracto…

May 20, 2026

How Do I Educate Myself As A Collector

, from Dale: Hi Guy! I am a collector and have had 3 tattoos now for about 15 years. In the last year, I decided to update my current tattoos and add to them to create much larger more elaborate bo…

May 20, 2026

The Big Question How Do I Break Into Tattooing The Right Way

, from Ryan: What is your take on tattoo schools? Ive been drawing forever and have been seeking an apprenticeship for about a year. Most tattoo artists I speak to say the school will ruin my chanc…

May 20, 2026

A lot of artists I know are switching to disposable tubes. I have tried them …

A lot of artists I know are switching to disposable tubes. I have tried them a couple times and am not sure if I like them. What's the deal with disposable tubes, and do you recommend them?

May 20, 2026

I'm fifty and want another tattoo. I went to a shop on the Islands and the ar…

I'm fifty and want another tattoo. I went to a shop on the Islands and the artist I spoke with made a negative reference to older skin. I decided not to work with her. I am not a sun worshipper, bu…

May 20, 2026

What Causes Bad Healing

From Alex: I’ve had four tattoos done now by the same artist here in town. It’s a good shop and I like the work I’ve been getting so far. The last session was a little weird thoug…

May 20, 2026

I am a apprentice and i was taught also to work with the least amount of volt…

I am a apprentice and i was taught also to work with the least amount of voltage. Sometimes when i set my voltage low and the machine sounds good, when doing the tattoo colour it seems like the nee…

May 20, 2026

I was wondering what type of markers you use to draw on the skin? Your drawin…

I was wondering what type of markers you use to draw on the skin? Your drawing are fairly well detailed before you begin... how do you get it to stay on for long periods? I'm having trouble finding…

May 20, 2026

Layering colors seems to be an effective way of getting a painterly look to y…

Layering colors seems to be an effective way of getting a painterly look to your tattoos, but how do you know when the skin has had too much before you start chewing it up and running the risk of s…

May 20, 2026

Do you use a power suply with digital readout? If so, what would be your typi…

Do you use a power suply with digital readout? If so, what would be your typical power settings for lining, shading and coloring? If you use this type of power unit, I'd appreciate your suggestions…

May 20, 2026

I would like to talk to someone about becoming a tattoo artist. How would I g…

I would like to talk to someone about becoming a tattoo artist. How would I go about doing it? How did you get started?

May 20, 2026

I wondered if you have any good idea how to handle the skin on those more sen…

I wondered if you have any good idea how to handle the skin on those more sensitive areas, i.e. the inside of the elbow joint/lower arm, the shoulder just above the crease of the armpit, the back o…

May 20, 2026

I know this has nothing to do with education, but I'm curious. I've heard you…

I know this has nothing to do with education, but I'm curious. I've heard your name pronounced ten different ways... what's the right way?