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Book in with Our Realism Tattoo Artists

From the landscape of your childhood home to an adorable portrait of your pet dog, realism is the perfect tattoo style for recreating scenes you want to remember and immortalise. Trust our realism tattoo artists to capture a moment in time, a place, or a tribute to a show-stopping trifle dessert on your skin.

Get in touch with New Zealand’s most realistic tattoo artists right here at B.LIST Tattoo Shop in Christchurch

Types of Realism Tattoos

As its name implies, realism generally uses shading and colour techniques to produce lifelike images on the skin. This tattooing style pushes the realm of realism to an extreme level, creating an almost 3D appearance.

Our New Zealand realistic tattoo artists usually recommend medium—to large-scale realism tattoos to accommodate the intricate details that define this style.

Black and Grey

Our black and grey tattoo artists use only black ink and shades of grey to create depth and contrast. The absence of colour can enhance the design's timelessness.

Colour

By incorporating vibrant colours into realistic designs with a careful selection of hues and shading techniques, we can give dynamic pictures dimension and bring them to life. 

Portrait

This realism tattooing sub-genre focuses on bringing individuals to life on the skin. Given the need for placement, anatomy, and colour understanding, portrait tattoos are exceptionally difficult to carry out. 

Not for our portrait tattoo artists, though; we’re masters of realism (dare we say, the best realism tattoo artists in NZ?) and will ensure your tattoo is indistinguishable from your high-resolution reference.

The Shades of Realism

This section is focused on the realm of creativity, where we don’t just copy a chosen image or picture that you have provided. 

Morphed realism combines multiple images into a single design, allowing for creative interpretation, while surrealism incorporates dreamlike or fantastical elements into realistic scenes. We use these styles within the range of realism tattooing to create almost unearthly visual features that challenge perceptions and are unique to you. 

Our Previous Realism Tattoo Works

Frequently Asked Questions About Realism Tattoos

Do realism tattoos cost more? 

Yes, but realism tattoos involve intricate designs that demand a higher level of skill and patience, taking significantly longer than simpler styles. Your realism tattoo artist may also require multiple sessions to achieve the desired effects.

You can trust that the amount we charge directly corresponds to our level of expertise and the complexity of the work involved when executing your realism tattoo.

Will realism tattoos age well?

Many factors can influence how your tattoo ages, including the ink quality, the artist’s skill, skin aftercare, and environmental factors. At B.LIST Tattoo Studio, you can trust that our experienced artists use only the highest-quality equipment to produce a realistic tattoo that ages well and is perfect as a subject of admiration for many years.

As with any tattoo, fine details and subtle shading may blur over time, requiring periodic touch-ups to refresh its realistic appearance. Feel free to pop in at any time for a touch-up from your realism tattoo artist. We’d love to see how you’re doing and have a yarn!

What are some best practices for retaining the colour and detail of my realism tattoo?

Some best practices include keeping your tattoo clean and moisturised during the initial healing process and avoiding picking at any scabs. Apply high-SPF sunscreen outdoors, and pay extra attention to moisturising with natural oils or vitamin E if you have dry skin. 

Can’t remember all that? Don’t worry; we will provide proper aftercare tips after your session. We’re self-obsessed and want you to show off what you’ve got from us for many, many years. 

Book your session with the most realistic tattoo artist studio in New Zealand today!