interview with tattoo artist tom farrow
Hello Tom Farrow! Thank you so much for taking the time to do
this interview. Please start by telling us something about yourself,
what inspired you to start tattooing?
I've always been an artist or had an interest in creating art ever
since I can remember. I found tattooing at a time where I was
looking to have a complete change in my life and have a career I
loved, something that inspired me. I've always found it a huge honor
that people want me to create art for them on a permanent scale and
I think that's what attracted me to start tattooing. I got my first
tattoo at 15 with my brother and it planted a seed, that was what I
saw myself doing and the love for the art behind it, the whole
process of how tattoos are created... I didn't really know what I
was getting myself into but it seemed like the right path to take.
Q: How long took you to
figure out your creative direction?
A: I've been tattooing professionally now for 5 and half years. I
would say a good 3 and a half years of that was spent learning a lot
of different techniques and trying out new machines, new needles,
and grey washes and just generally sponging up any bit of
information that I could find. I always knew I
wanted to explore black and grey tattooing but it took some practice and
various attempts to learn the high contrasts. I'm always learning.
I'm still trying to find some new ways so I'm sure I'll change it again soon.
Q: How would you call your style?
A:
Super dark black and grey. I've never really thought of one
name, but if it's anything it's
high contrast realism.
Q: I love the portraits! Which details are the most
challenging to work on?
A: For me a face is fascinating to tattoo. Everyone being entirely
different makes everyday a challenge but I think the hardest part of
any face is creating the emotion in the photo onto skin being able
to portray an emotion in a tattoo is something I'm still constantly
trying to learn. In my opinion eyes are a key feature on
the face, that's the most important part to get
correct, I always start with them.
Q: Did you have some training before?
A: I did a 3 year apprenticeship in a local shop and though it was a
tough time to get through but it really did teach me a hell of a lot,
without any of those practices I would be nowhere. I
spent a decade doing graffiti, so smooth blends came naturally I
never really outlined my tattoos back then. I'm still practicing as much as I can.
Even
now it's good to try new things. I'm always trying to strive for
more.
I think where the tattoo industry is heading, the whole kind of
traditional apprentice is dying out a lot. I love the idea of being
able to pass down a whole lifetime worth of knowledge to someone
but I do agree with having to work your arse off to get that
knowledge in the first place. Even though I got an apprenticeship,
I taught myself by going out of my way to learn what I
could, so it's what you put into is is what you'll get out.
Q: Tattooing nowadays isn't just a
simple image from the internet, but a lot more. I love the fact that
tattoo artists are trying to develop their own,
signature style. I've seen that in your work as well. I bet the creative part of tattooing takes
some time, tell me more.
A: For me the process is just as important as the final piece
itself. All
of my work are custom pieces but I like to add my own certain
touches in the background to certify it's me doing the piece.
I will take the client's idea, show them how I feel it would look
the best on skin. The client's input is a huge part of it. You can
normally tell by someone's reaction to a design if they like it or
not but some of my favorite pieces have come from clients being
unsure about it and is sitting down having a discussion coming up
with something out of the blue and just ruining with it. A lot of my
tattoo designs are just a rough to go off and once placed on skin a
lot of pen work for backgrounds and creating layers with negative
space.
Q: Do you accept refference images?
A: Personally I say bring as much as possible. I always take the
general idea or theme that's bough in as an idea and find my own
reference to work off or if possible photograph myself what the idea
is if it can be done. I have some clients bringing the highest
resolution photos and that's awesome when that happens, but living
in a world of people being on their phones normally means a
screenshot or a phone photo so I try to find my own way to sourcing
that image that I think will work.
Q: Would you try color tattooing?
A: I've dabbled with color over the years. I actually really would
love to explore it more being a graffiti artist before tattooing I
love working with colors, I'm going to try and implement it
somewhere into my tattooing down the line.
Q: How often do you travel? The best tips?
A: Travelling for me was where I learnt all. I try
to do one guest spot a month. I think it's great that you can travel
around the world, meet like minded people exchange knowledge and just
soak it all up. One of the best tips I ever got was don't be afraid
to ask questions, you can learn from everything and everyone if you're
open to having people give you their opinion on your work to see what
you could change, then why not?!
Q: Would you collaborate with some artists?
A: My biggest influence was Paul Booth when I was a beginner and still
is to this day so I could only wish!
Q: Where are you located now?
A: I'm located at Exile Tattoo currently in south east England. I've
been there for a few years now. I do do regular guest spots at other
studios around the U.K.
Q: Any advice for the new artists?
A:
Where to begin haha I think the only thing I have to say is be
willing to take criticism, always be the most critical you can be of
your own work and enjoy the ride, it's the best industry in the
world!