interview with Nicke Wencel | tattoo style | sweden |16/04/2019
Hello Nicke Wencel! Thank you so much for taking the time to answer
some questions for our readers. It's always a pleasure to share some
of my thoughts with creative people, there is so much that can be
learned so maybe some of our audience will find this interview
inspiring enough to start their journey in this business.
Q: What intrigued you to start tattooing? Do you have any
artistic background?
A: To be honest, I was broke and didn't have a job. I needed to get
some cash and did some odd jobs just to get by. Then I met a local
tattoo artist who saw some of my drawings, (I went to an art school
for 3 years so I used to draw a lot) and she thought that I should
give tattooing a chance, so I did. With a premium china kit and some
highly toxic inks and two oranges that's how I started my career.
Q: What was the most interesting part of becoming a tattoo
artist? Was it hard to learn?
A: The most interesting part was when I found out that there was a
whole culture and community behind tattooing, which I had no idea
for the first few years, and I fell in love with that part. Learning
to tattoo is extremely hard. I still learn every day, and it's
always important to push your limits and experiment with your
skills.
Q: What type of art outside tattooing you like the most? Do
you have any artists you consider as your influencers?
A: Music of course. All music that's created with the love of music,
instead of money and image is inspiring to me, the same way tattoo
artists who create for the love of tattoos and not money and image.
I have many artists that influence me, but they are too many to list
here.
Q: How has your style developed throughout the years of
experience? Would you give your style a name?
A: Yes of course. In the beginning I did everything, all styles and
I sucked at everything. After I started working in a shop and there
were a couple of guys and it was easier to divide the jobs to a
preferred style, I realized that black&grey realism was my thing.
I would call my style anything different than Black & Grey Realism,
but I use to describe it as darker black & grey with high contrasts,
and I love to use double exposition in the designs.
Q: I love your black&gray work! Very detailed, nice
contrasts between black and white ink and perfectly captured facial
expression. Those are the few words how I would describe your
portrait tattoos. Some of them look like photos not tattoos on skin,
impressive work! How much time can take to finish a portrait tattoo?
What parts are the most challenging of the whole process?
A: Thank you very much. The time spend on the tattoo always differ,
because of different skin types, details in the photo, background
and so on. But usually around 6-7 hours. The most challenging part
is always the composition of the tattoo, especially if the client
want a sleeve in the end, then you really have to make all the piece
flow together and follow the body flow and make sure you have your
light sources right.
Q: I love how you combine more than just one design in one
piece. Really creative. Do you collaborate with your clients on
tattoo ideas, are you ok with them bringing some reference images or
you prefer the design to be your own unique creation?
A: Thank you! Usually the client have some form of idea and I try to
incorporate more then one image in the design, but there has been
times when the clients have good reference photos that makes it
possible to use their images in the designs, but it all comes down
to the elements of the picture. If it's the right angles, light
sources and resolution.
- What reaction from your clients makes you happy after the
session?
Every time someone says "It's better than I expected!". What did
they expect? Did they have low expectations? Or high? Anyway, that
makes me happy.
Q: Back tattoos and other big pieces can take more than just
one session, do you remember the longest period of working on one
tattoo? I bet there's so much excitement from both you and your
client to finally see the end result.
A: Yes, haha they usually take several sessions. But it's a process
itself and it's really great to watch the piece grow and come
together. There was a back piece "The mafia"-back piece that took
around 50-60 hours, done in 8-9 weeks. That was intense.
Q: There are some beautiful, Photoshop designs in your
portfolio ready to be on some lucky client's skin. Are they your
designs or do you collaborate with some graphic designers? All look
absolutely amazing.
A: Unless I do a straight up photo or picture, like an animal or a
portrait, I always do my own designs.
Q: How much is important to strive for creative progress, do
you put some challenges for yourself as an artist?
A: It's the key to become a better artist! If you start to slow down
and relax you'll never reach higher levels of your creative
knowledge. I try to challenge myself everyday. I always try to do
more advanced tattoos and experiment with techniques.
Q: Located in beautiful Sweden, I guess you have some
interesting and growing tattoo scene there. I've seen many great
artists from Sweden. What's your opinion?
A: Oh yes. Sweden is a perfect place for tattooing. We have good
cold climate, not so much sun, and pale people. I think that's why
black & grey is so big here. And also the Swedish people love
getting tattoos. We have some great artists entering the
international tattoo scene, which I'm very happy about.
- Meeting new people and forming new friendships is very
important for one artist. There's always something new to learn or
just to share nice experiences with people. Do you travel and work
as a guest artist around Europe or even farther?
A: Oh indeed. It's very important for every tattoo artist to travel
and learn from other artists, just to become a more versatile artist
yourself. Except conventions all over the world, I also try to
attend seminars, guest spots and just visit other inspirational
artists.
Q: What do you recommend to all those who plan to try their
best in this business?
A: There are no shortcuts. Hard, dedicated work is the only way to a
long lasting career. Make priorities and stay focused.
Mr.Nicke Wencel, Thanks for the interview,
Kind Regards,
The team