interview with rich harris | unique style | Sutton Coldfield 03/10/2018
Q: How long have you been
tattooing? What inspired you to start learning about this beautiful
art form?
A: I’ve been tattooing just over 5 years now. I first had the idea
when I was 9 years old at junior school, my friends used to ask me
to draw super heroes on their arms with biro pen. Id forgotten about
the idea until I was 33, when my best friend started learning to
tattoo which inspired me to look into it as a career. I then started
building my portfolio and made a list of studios I was going to
apply for, luckily I had another friend who opened a studio around
that time, he allowed me work there straight away which was a
massive help.
Q: Was it hard to learn? What is your opinion about tattoo
apprenticeship?
A: It’s by far one of the hardest things I had to learn. When you
first start it's incredibly daunting because there are so many
aspects of making a good tattoo, technique, design, machine set up,
what needle groupings to use… the list never ends. My opinion is
that apprenticeships are the best way to learn, a great master will
save you years in trying to learn from scratch.
Q: The last decade artists can pride themselves for being
able to create realistic tattoos, that gave the tattooing a whole
new concept of not just as a designer image but a highly skilled
technique that many artists nowadays are trying to learn. It's
innovative for sure. Color tattooing especially, as being said many
times that color tattoos are a bit more challenging to do. What is
your opinion on this?
A: I think any aspect or style is challenging, it depends on what
level you want to get to. We’re forever learning which makes our job
so amazing!
Q: What do you prefer color or black & grey tattoos and why?
A: I like both, I like working in color but sometimes black and grey
… I feel it's good to learn both.
Collaboration with Damian Gorsky and Niorkz
Collaboration with artist @bintt
Q: Big tattoos such as sleeves and backpieces can take 4-5
sessions, that's a lot of hard work, patience, and pain for the
client, but I believe after it's all done, it's a pleasure for both,
you and the client, so it's worth it : ) How much these types of
work give you the ability to really show off your skills? Even
though small tattoos can be challenging and complex, but however, I
think people still consider big tattoos as more of a challenge?
A: I think it's a natural progression, in most cases artists will
start off doing small pieces and then go on to do bigger work. The
human body is a big canvas, so it makes sense to do larger scale
work rather than cover someone with lots of small pieces from
different artists. It is more of a challenge when you start this
scale of work but you get used to it very quickly.
Q: In creating a portrait tattoo, doing the details such as
eyes, hair etc I think the artist puts an extra energy to make it
looks more "realistic" the eye expression is probably the most
important, however, what are some of the most tricky details you
find as "most" time consuming?
A: Hair, eyes, hands take time, that's why I do abstract most of the
time. I feel especially with color, less detail will age better and
if you prefer super detailed work then black a grey would look
better over 10-30 years.
Q: I also like the fact that every tattoo you do looks
unique and reminds me of illustrative (graphic) design type of work,
so much patterns, a nice play with colors and mixture of many styles
in one particular design, really impressive. How do you get
inspired? Do you draw a lot for each client or the ideas can come
spontaneously?
A: I was into music production for several years and I used to
create mostly sample based compositions. I partly use a similar
technique to create my designs. I build my own libraries from images
that inspire me, these images are taken from all areas of my
everyday life. I may see a picture, color combination or interesting
formation when I am out and about, take a photo and use it.
There's an element of freehand in my work also, I like to draw or
paint on the client to create nice flow. I guess these elements I
combine give me a unique style. However this is always evolving and
I’m always getting inspired so next year I’m already thinking of
adding a more organic, freehand elements to my work.
tattoo collaboration with artist Jamie Lee Knott
tattoo collaborations with artist Jamie Lee Knott @jamieleetattooart
Tattoo collaboration with Ryan Smith @ryansmithtattooist
Tattoo collaboration with Sebastian Nowacki @tattoobylaw
Tattoo collaborations with Jamie Lee Knott @jamieleetattooart & @bintt
Q: I think nowadays, as we live in a so-called digital world
of so much media, constant pressure for progress and competition,
how do you cope with that? Do you have any artists you look up to?
A: I really enjoy it, I don’t think any artists rate themselves and
I’m the same, I’m always trying to improve. I look up to so many
artists I consider better than me and think ‘how can I get to that
level?’ then I get to work! I have loads of artists that I look up
to, too many to name… check out who I follow on my Instagram haha
Q: I can see many type of tattoo styles that you love doing,
have you ever thought doing something completely different?
A: Not yet, I do stuff I enjoy… maybe a natural evolution over time
will lead me onto something completely different :)
Q: What would you say to someone who is planning to start
tattooing? What is the best approach?
A: I'd suggest creating an amazing portfolio first and foremost,
showcasing your art and tattoo design. I feel this will give you and
edge if you know how work flows on the body. Then target several
artists that you like and ask them for an apprenticeship. Maybe book
in for some work with these artists to extended your relationship.
If your portfolio is awesome then it will be difficult for them to
turn you down, but if you fail in this, keep going! Attitude is
everything.
Please write your contact info and tell us if you're
attending a tattoo convention soon so we can say Hi and maybe book
an appointment ; )
www.Harristattooart.uk
harristattooart@gmail.com
https://www.facebook.com/HarrisTattooArt
https://www.instagram.com/harristattooart
https://twitter.com/harristattooart
Im attending Venezia tattoo convention next week OCTOBER 12/13/14
and then Brussels in
NOV 9/10/11
Mr.Rich Harris, Thank you for the interview,
Kind Regards,
The Skin Artist Team