tattoo Interview with Andrey Lukovnikov | Lutsk, Ukraine 20/05/2013
Q: What made you to become a tattoo
artist?
A: My friends probably, they made me to become a tattoo artist. Back
at school they were asking me to draw “fancy patterns” on their arms
with a regular black pen and it was making them so happy – they were
like: “You will become a tattoo artist some day!”
Q: How long have you been tattooing?
A: I am already tattooing for 3 years. My friend, who is also my
business partner – Tymur Denysenko showed me how to use a tattoo
machine. Now we are working together in our RL tattoo studio. RL
stands for Right handed and Left handed.
Q: Why a tattoo artist? Was it your dream work, something
that you've always wanted?
A: My dream was to become an artist and I became a tattoo artist, so
my dream came true. Tattoos always used to get me excited and when I
saw a really high level of making tattoos – that made me want to do
it myself.
Q: Do you have any role models?
A: Yes, of cause. I like works of many tattoo artist and most of all
-Dmitriy Samohin,
Denis Sivak and Jeff Gogue.
Q: Your work is absolutely stunning. Seems like you enjoy
doing color tattoos a lot. Do you remember when the impression for this
kind of work first began?
A: I really like painting – mixing the colors, getting different
shades. That is really magical, especially when human skin is a
canvas. But I also like working with black and white, or using grays
and some color.
Q: Portraits are probably the most remarkable designs in
your portfolio. What kind of inks do you use?
A: The products I use for tattooing are “Intenze” tattoo ink and
“Eternal”. I haven’t try anything else, honestly, but I am pretty
satisfied with these products.
Q: What kind of style is more
challenging to work on?
A: For now, I am trying to define my personal style. I’m trying
different things and experimenting. I like realism, but not plain,
but with graphic elements. It is not hard to make a tattoo, it is
just one of the drawing techniques. It is much harder to make a
sketch for a future tattoo. I need to come up with an idea, create a
composition and choose a color scheme. You need to have some fantasy
and some brain for this.
Q: Tattooing is very creative work. How do you get inspired?
Do you use some other art mediums to get inspired?
A: I try not to forget how to paint on canvas and on paper. But in
general I draw with Photoshop using pen tablet.
Q: Nowadays, people are coming up with many creative ideas
for a tattoo. What was the most bizarre request ever that you can
share with us? Any crazy experiences with the customers on your
mind?
A: Here in Ukraine people don't get too crazy with tattoos yet, they
try to make a considered decision. But yes, we have some aliens who
want to have an hieroglyph, that is really bizarre for me.
Q: Your second passion is digital art. Do you also work as a
graphic designer?
A: Tattooing is my main job, but sometimes I draw illustrations for
music album covers or advertisement. Drawing illustrations is
different than making a tattoo sketch, you don’t have so many
boundaries here.
Q: Artists are constantly making some changes in their
style, technically and artistically. What would you change in your
style? Would you start working on something completely different?
A: I have some thoughts about this, I will try to get better and
don’t stop growing as a tattoo artist. I hope I will come up with
some good stuff.
Q: Do you have any advice for the new artists?
A: Draw even more than you draw now, develop your personal style,
learn how to take critic to consideration, keep an eye on
professionals and believe in yourself!
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You can contact me at www.facebook.com/andrew.lukovnikov