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!