Key facts
- Style
- Realism
- Placement
- Full SleevePain here: noticeable 3/5 · healing: moderate (large area)
- Size
- Very large30+ cm
- Colour
- Black and grey
What’s in it from tags · not scanned yet
About this tattoo
Realism style tattoo of a portrait on the full sleeve, done in black & grey. By Ian Shafer at Pure Ink.
Details
The work
- Style
- Realism
- Subject
- Portrait, Skull
- Palette
- Black and grey
- Technique
- Linework
Placement and size
- Placement
- Full Sleeve
- Size
- Very large
Time and cost
- Estimated time
- 10–17 h, 2–3 sessions — Estimated from what the photo shows: the length × the visible width × how much of it is inked, and the detail — not from the studio. The artist quotes the real time.
- Price
- ≈$2,000–3,400 · ≈10–17 h at $200/h (TatSeek estimate from local rates, not confirmed by the studio) · ≈40 cm · dense shading
Pain and healing
- Pain
- Noticeable, 3 of 5 — most of the arm is mild, but the inner elbow and wrist are sharp
- Healing
- Moderate (large area)
- Visibility
- Visible in short sleeves
- More
- Tattoo pain map · Pain by placement
All tags and facts
- Style
- 🖼️ Realism
- Subject
- 🖼️ Portrait💀 Skull
- Placement
- 👕 Full Sleeve
- Colour
- 🩶 Black & Grey
- Technique
- Linework
- Size
- Very large
- Time
- 10–17 h · 2–3 sessions
- Pain
- 3/5 · noticeable
- Healing
- Moderate (large area)
- Visibility
- Visible in short sleeves
- Coverage
- Full sleeve
Source and scan
- Published on
- c725943a.delivery.rocketcdn.me
- On TatSeek since
- 2026-09-09
- Scan
- Tags only (to be re-scanned)
More from Ian Shafer 10 tattoos
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Questions and answers
What can a skull tattoo mean?
Skull — often mortality, “live now” or protection. Meanings change with culture and person — what it means to you matters most. Understanding tattoo meanings →
How much would a tattoo like this cost?
TatSeek estimates $2,000–3,400 at Pure Ink’s rates. What moves it most is your final size, how much detail the design has and how many sessions it takes. It is a planning range — only the studio’s own quote is an offer. How we estimate →
Where was this tattoo done?
Ian Shafer made it at Pure Ink, 470 Route 10 West, Ledgewood, NJ 07852, New York. You book with the studio directly; TatSeek takes no fee. View on the map →
How painful is a full sleeve tattoo, and how does it heal?
Full sleeve: noticeable, 3 of 5 — most of the arm is mild, but the inner elbow and wrist are sharp. Long sessions, stress and no sleep make it feel worse. The surface looks healed in 2–4 weeks and the skin settles over a few months; here healing is moderate (large area) and the spot is visible in short sleeves. Pain map →
How will a tattoo like this age?
All tattoos soften slightly over the years as the skin renews itself and the sun breaks pigment down. Size, placement and sun protection matter more than the style name. How tattoos age →
Can I get this exact design?
Use it as a reference. Most artists adapt a design to your body and their own style rather than copy another person’s tattoo line for line — and if you want this artist’s look, the best option is to book this artist. Copying, references and AI designs →
How do I book something like this?
Message the studio with this photo, where you want it and how big, colour or black and grey, your budget and dates. The “Message template” button next to the price gives you a ready text to edit and copy. How to message a tattoo artist →
