Portrait tattoos in Preston
I do portrait tattoos at True Colours in Preston: people, pets, and characters from films and TV, worked up from your photographs in black and grey or colour.
How I work
I've always loved drawing portraits more than anything, especially characters from films and TV shows, and that skill carries straight into my tattooing. If it's a family member or an animal, I need a high quality, professional-level photo to work from.
The photo decides everything. A portrait is only as good as its reference. Sharp, well lit, the face filling the frame, no heavy filters. Bring two or three and we'll pick the one with the best light. Old or small photos can still work, and I'll tell you honestly if one won't.
Faces need room. Eyes, teeth and hair need space to read clearly now and to stay clear as the tattoo ages. For a single face I suggest at least the size of your palm. Smaller than that, and detail turns to mush within a few years.
Black and grey or colour. Black and grey holds its detail for decades: soft greys and solid blacks, built up in layers over the session so they heal smooth. Colour brings a character to life. I do both, and I'll tell you which suits your photo.
Film and TV character portraits
The portraits I love most. Send me the character and the scene or still you have in mind. Film stills are usually sharp and well lit, which makes them good references.
Pet portrait tattoos
Dogs, cats, horses: fur, eyes, the tilt of a head. The same rules apply. A clear photo at their eye level, in daylight, not from above.
Where it goes. Flat, fleshy areas hold a portrait best: upper arm, forearm, thigh, calf, chest, shoulder blade. Fewer bends means less distortion when you move.
How long it takes. A palm-sized portrait is usually a half-day session. Larger pieces, or more than one face, take a full day or more than one session.
Portraits I've done
Questions about portraits
How much does a portrait tattoo cost?
A palm-sized portrait starts from £210, which is a half-day session. Bigger pieces are £400 for a full day of about six and a half hours. Send me your photo and the size you have in mind and I'll quote before you pay anything.
Can you tattoo a portrait from an old or blurry photo?
Often, yes, if the face is clear enough to read. I can also combine two photos, say the eyes from one and the smile from another. If a photo won't work, I'll say so rather than guess.
Do you do colour portraits?
Yes. I work portraits in black and grey and in colour. Black and grey holds fine detail longest; colour is right for a lot of characters and some photos. We'll decide together from your reference.
Can you do a memorial portrait of someone I've lost?
Yes. Bring the best photo you have, and anything else that matters: their handwriting, a date, a line from a song. It's priced like any portrait, from £210, and there's no rush on these. If you're not ready for a long session, we start small and add to it later.
Does a portrait hurt more than other tattoos?
No more than any other tattoo in the same spot. Portraits take longer, so the session is longer. Eat beforehand, bring water, and we take breaks when you need them.