Color realism
Since 2015
Imani Rhodes
Color realism, color botanicals and pet portraits
- Color realism
- Color botanical
- Black and grey realism
$190 an hour Waitlist for sleeves, small pieces from December
Planned to look good healed
Color and realism
Saturated color, soft blends and realism, given enough size and sessions to look good healed, not only on day one.
Book a free consult
From $570
What it is, plainly.
Color and realism pieces are built in layers. That takes time, enough skin to hold the detail, and healing between sessions.
We plan the size, the number of sessions and the colors with you at the consult, so the piece looks right in a year, not only in the first photo.
Good for
- Florals and fruit in full color
- Pet portraits from your own photos
- Nature scenes and wildlife
- Black and grey realism with soft shading
How it works
Four steps, no surprises.
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Consult with photos
Bring clear, well-lit photos, especially for portraits. Blurry photos make blurry tattoos.
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Size and session plan
Realism needs room. We agree on size and how many sessions it will take.
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Layered sessions
Sessions are spaced at least 3 to 4 weeks apart so the skin heals between layers.
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Final pass
A last session adds highlights and depth once everything has healed.
Color, honestly, over time.
Fresh color looks its brightest. Healed, it settles. Years of sun without sunscreen fade it fastest, pale shades first.
| Color | Fresh | Healed | Years, no sunscreen |
|---|---|---|---|
| Black | |||
| Deep red | |||
| Leaf green | |||
| Peach | |||
| Pale yellow |
An illustration, not measured results. Skin tone, placement and aftercare all change how color heals.
What it costs
Example prices.
Ranges for this demo, the way a real studio should print them. Your artist gives you a range for your piece at the consult.
- Palm-size pet portrait
- $570 to $950
- About 3 to 5 hours
- Forearm color piece
- $950 to $1,520
- About 5 to 8 hours, 2 sessions
- Half sleeve in color
- $2,850 to $4,750
- 15 to 25 hours over several sessions
- Day session
- $1,150
- About 6 hours with Imani
Read this before you book
The honest part.
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Realism needs size
A face or pet portrait smaller than about 3 inches loses its detail as it heals. We will tell you the size it needs.
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Color heals softer
Fresh color looks brighter than it will healed. Sun fades it fastest, so sunscreen once healed is part of the deal.
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Every skin tone, honestly
Some colors show more on some skin tones. We will talk plainly about which colors will read on you, and may suggest stronger contrast.
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It takes sessions
Rushing color into one long sitting overworks the skin. Spacing sessions gives a cleaner heal.
Who does it
Your artists.
Ask for someone by name in the consult form, or choose best fit and the front desk will match you by style and availability.
- American traditional Since 2017
Rafa Quintero
American traditional, bold color and walk-in flash
- American traditional
- Bold color
- Flash
$170 an hour Walk-ins Thursdays, custom from November
Can you tattoo a portrait from a phone photo?
If it's sharp and well lit, yes. Send a few options at the consult and we'll pick the one with the most detail.
Which colors last longest?
Black lasts longest. Strong reds, deep greens and blues hold well. Pale yellows, pinks and whites fade first, especially in sun.
How many sessions will I need?
Most palm-size pieces take one. Forearm-size color usually takes two, and sleeves take several, spaced a few weeks apart.
Bring the idea. We'll draw the line.
Free 20-minute consults, in person or on video. You leave with a plan, a price range and a date, and nothing is tattooed until you approve the stencil.