Black and grey tattoos in Newcastle. The studio's signature.
Black and grey is the style John Quinn has spent twenty-five years refining. Portraits, animal composites, Chicano work, religious pieces and large-scale shaded sleeves at our Byker studio.
About this style
Black & Grey tattoos at our Newcastle studio
Black and grey is unforgiving. There is nowhere to hide behind colour. The work lives or dies on value structure, edge control, and how the piece reads from a metre away as well as up close. Our black and grey portfolio runs from delicate single-piece flowers through Chicano figurative work to full sleeves and back pieces. Every piece is custom drawn for the client, planned around the body part, and tattooed in the sittings the design genuinely needs (not the sittings that fit a tight budget). If you are bringing a portrait, the single biggest factor in the result is reference quality. Sharp focus, even lighting, high resolution. We will tell you honestly at consultation if a reference will not give you the piece you are picturing.
Gallery
44 Black & Grey pieces from the studio
FAQ
Common questions about black & grey in Newcastle
What does black and grey tattooing actually mean?
Tattooing using only black ink and water-diluted greys, no colour. The shading effect is built up through value: how dark or light each area is. Done well, black and grey ages cleaner than colour because there are fewer pigments to fade unevenly.
What kind of subjects suit black and grey best?
Portraits, animals, religious imagery, Chicano figurative work, dark florals, mythology and large narrative sleeves. Anything where the drama comes from contrast and depth rather than colour.
How long does a black and grey sleeve take?
A half sleeve typically takes 2 to 3 sessions, a full sleeve 4 to 6. Sessions are spaced apart so the skin can heal properly between sittings. Rushing it usually shows in the final result.
How much does a black and grey tattoo cost in Newcastle?
Smaller pieces start in the low hundreds. Day-rate sessions for larger work are typically £600 to £900 depending on complexity. Full sleeves are usually £3,000+. We always give an honest written quote at consultation.
How well does black and grey age?
Better than colour, when it is tattooed at the right depth and properly looked after. The biggest enemy is sun, so SPF 50 on the tattoo when it is in direct sunlight is non-negotiable for the first three months and recommended forever after.
More on tattoos in Newcastle
See the full studio overview
Pricing, opening hours, the consultation process and the rest of John Quinn's work.