Sponsored Artist of the Month - Thomas Vincent

French tattoo artist Thomas Vincent creates stunning black and grey realism pieces from his tattoo studio by the sea in Brittany.

Over the years Thomas has developed his style and technique, steadily improving his lifelike pieces, particularly in portrait tattoos – of which he does many.

We spoke to Thomas about artistic inspiration, conventions, and what’s great about living and working in Saint-Malo.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

When I was a kid I wanted to be a professional motocross driver, or a cartoonist!

How did you become a tattoo artist?

I became a tattoo artist because of drawing - I have always drawn and I wanted to make it my job. My dad gave me the idea of becoming a tattoo artist.

Where do you find your artistic inspiration?

I find my artistic inspiration in many different things in life, mainly photographs that I like, and that trigger something at first sight.

Which tattoo artists inspire you?

There are so many tattoo artists that inspire me, I can't name them all!

I love the work of Neon Judas, Mirko Ponti, Yarson Tattoo, Waler Montero, Specimen Tattoo, Thomas Carli Jarlier, and my friends Egon Weiss and Sampaguita Jay, who also inspired me to find my personal signature style.

How would you describe your tattoo style?

It's not obvious - I'm always looking for my style. My art is always based on photorealism, but I like to try new things around realism. Recently I’ve liked adding a lot of blackwork with brush shapes and ink splashes.

You occasionally work with colour in your pieces, is this something you would like to try more often?

Colour is still a vague world for me; I'm not saying it scares me, but it's not far off! I've often wanted to follow the example of a colour realism artist, but I think it's important not to spread myself too thinly and to stick to what I like and where I'm most comfortable at the moment. We'll see how my colour work evolves, but I still have a lot to learn in black and grey.

What is your process for planning a tattoo?

I adapt my process depending on the demand, but I organise my sessions in the same way, with two days in a row on each client.

If you could create any tattoo, what would you do?

I think I would choose the portraits of celebrities that I like the most, and mix them with solid black and paint.

What is your favourite tattoo you have done in the last year?

It's hard to say, I have a few that really stand out but I think it's an arm made in four consecutive days at my friend Sampaguita Jay’s studio in Bayonne. The workload was intense, the client solid, and the composition entirely my own.

What tattooing equipment do you use?

I am lucky enough to be supported by several major tattoo brands! Today, I use all the Killer Ink products. The needles I use are Sunskin, and for healing I use Easytattoo.

For inks I like the black from Eclipse, the grey from Kuro Sumi and recently the Ganga Black Dynamic.

Have you ever done a collaboration or would you like to?

I haven't had the opportunity yet, but yes, with an artist I feel comfortable with, it could be great!

Where is your studio located and who works with you there?

My studio is in Saint-Malo in Brittany, I work with Jordan Pointel (La Pointe Tattoo) who was my apprentice, then recently Lisa (Wolfink) who is just starting out. And I get guests of all styles as well!

What's best about living in Brittany?

The calm! Brittany is a pure and calm place. Saint-Malo is by the sea, so the landscapes are magnificent.

What is your favourite tattoo convention?

I don't have a favourite one, they all have their own particularities and are all great.

Will you be visiting any tattoo conventions in 2023?

Yes of course, I will be at the Ink Factory in Lyon, France, the Wild Tattoo Show in Namur, Belgium, and the Planetarium Tattoo in Paris, France.

Have you won any awards that you would like to brag about?

I've got awards, but don’t want to brag about them!

What is the best thing about being a tattoo artist?

For me the best thing as a tattooist is when you find what you like to do, when you immerse yourself in a style that you like and every day you work on it with passion without seeing the hours go by, and your clients start to ask you for what you do and trust you completely.

Do you make non-tattooable art?

I have always loved art, but unfortunately I don't have as much time to devote to it as I’d like. As often as possible I draw, I paint, and I would like to get back into woodcarving - I'm a former carpenter, and I used to like it a lot!

What do you like to do in your free time?

In my spare time I like to enjoy time with my family, my three-year-old boy, my friends, playing the guitar, doing crafts and so much more.

Are you planning to get a new tattoo soon?

I would like to cover one of my arms in full black, but I can't stand the needle on me anymore!

What does the future hold for Thomas Vincent?

We can't predict the future, but I would like to simply go on with what I love, to continue to meet sincere and wholehearted people and artists, to have an iron health to redouble my work, and to make my loved ones proud. Thanks to you for your support!