Morrisey Portrait Tattoo by Louis Santos

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My customer was a big fan of The Smiths and Morrisey. So when he asked me for a portrait I was happy to work with him. I love doing portraits, it’s one of my favourite styles to tattoo. As portraits style is linked to realism, I enjoy thinking about light, how it falls in to the face. As I draw a lot of faces, it really helps me to understand where the shadow falls in the face. When I approach a portrait I try not to think harder and feel harder instead. Not thinking about me, but thinking about the character. This way I can dig deeper and push myself to get more emotionally connected to the content. Thank you

The circle of life by Louis Santos

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The most precise way of how the circle of life unfolds is… change, and nothing is forever. This is where I got the idea to approach this realistic sketch. I also love to draw realism to learn more about light, as light is an infinite subject to learn. When I draw realism, I try to not think about me, but think about the character I’m drawing, this way you can feel what you are doing more. Think less and feel more. With this approach the drawing becomes more genuine and heart felt. Pencil is one of my favourite mediums, I love how I can get as many details as possible, without being restricted. We specialise in realism tattoo at Familia Tattoo, so we are happy to look in to your request. Make sure to follow us on Instagram@familiatattooleeds. Thank you

Buddha and Lotus flower colour tattoo by Louis Santos

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We had a visit from Rob in the studio the other day. We completed his full sleeve around 2 years ago. He popped in for a tattoo on inside of his arm, we are doing a hamsa palm shaped amulet, with an eye underneath. I can not wait to get this finished, so keep an eye open for updates, and I’m sure Rob’s Hamsa Tattoo will be posted around next month when he gets back. Robs full sleeve has a Buddha as a top half sleeve, which it was a cover-up request, we worked our way from the top half sleeve cover-up, working down with a clear skin half sleeve, with a colourful lotus flower with water around. Rob is a big fan of visiting Ibiza, so that’s where his blue water love comes from. It was such a pleasure tattooing Rob, such an easy going guy, patient and a true gentleman. Looking forward to finish Robs Hamsa and hopefully, we are going to his next arm, for another full sleeve. Thank you for reading

Free Hand Rose Tattoo by Louis Santos

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It is a pleasure, when I ask my customers to send an image of their healed tattoo, in a shadow of a sun light, and they do it. It makes it so personal and a meaningful tattoo experience. Tattooing is a collaboration in between 2 people, with trust, patience, loyalty, and when you have a bond with your client, it makes the experience to remember. I learn a lot with my clients. Tattooing Jenifer was a great experience. She is from China and studying in Leeds. She had a writing, she wanted to cover up. She asked me to do a deep red rose, on top of her previous tattoo. I asked her if she minded if I free handed it, and she trusted me to go ahead. I felt really comfortable tattooing her, and I can not thanks her enough for being such an awesome customer. Thank you

We are re-opening today

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We are very happy to announce, we are re-opening today. It’s been a very long 3 months with the lock down. It’s been good for us artistically and personally, however we miss having normal days at the studios, and going back to our everyday life. If you have a incomplete tattoo due to the pandemic, be sure to get in touch, and we will gladly deal with your request. Thank you for all your patience, as we have gone through weird times, however we managed to stay open, and carry on doing what we love. If you haven’t popped in to our new tattoo studio in Leeds, on King Charles street, pop on to say hi. Keep an eye for daily tattoo updates on this web site. We hope to see you guys soon.

Familia Tattoo- In art we trust

Oil on canvas, traditional paint by Louis Santos

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Jumping from digital to traditional paint is what I do from time to time. Exploring different mediums it keeps me interested and keen to learn everyday. In this picture I just finished varnishing with a first layer, I will be adding more layers of varnish, before hanging in the wall of the studio. This painting, it took me around 5-6 layers to complete. When I do a painting I have complete control of it, that’s why it works out 100% all the time, where with a tattoo you are a bit more limited with time, so I’m not in control about people coming back to the studio, and letting me touch up or even sometimes complete the tattoo. With a tattoo sometimes customers are limited with time and money, so I have to try my best, to do the best I can, within that time we have. Where with a paint there’s no limits, I can go back to it, over, and over again. Keep an eye for weekly updates, of our tattoo studio in Leeds city centre.