02 Picking Tattoo Brains – Ricky Williams Interview

Ricky Williams South City Market – Dog Tattoo

In our second interview we meet a super-talented tattoo artist Ricky Williams from the South City Market studio.

South City Market is probably one of the most unique tattoo studios in London. This place is full of talented artists that are usually booked throughout the year.

We would define Ricky as a not-your-regular-tattoo-artist. He has a great social media following and represents the tattoo community in a much more welcoming and judgment-free way than a lot of other tattoo artists.

Today, Ricky is revealing us his favourite and least favourite tattoos and much more.

Let’s get started.

Q: Hey Ricky, how do you find the inspiration for your tattoos?

Since I work 100% custom so people give me their subjects and I use that for inspiration.

Q: What is your #1 advice for tattooers?

Study the people you admire and take inspiration from all of them to create your own style.

Choose the part you like most from each artist and try to merge those parts into one to create your style.

Q: How do you help your client with figuring out the tattoo placement?

When we put the stencil on people can move it around as much as they like. I want them to be sure!

Because my tattoos are so detailed and small and realistic I try to urge people to get them on flatter parts of their skin so that the perception looks good.

There are better suited placements for every type of tattoo.

Q: Important advice for a small tattoo?

Don’t pick or scratch it, with the small tattoos all the little details are so important.

Q: Important advice for a large tattoo?

In most cases, take breaks little and often. You’ll be able to get more done in one session.

Q: What about preparing for the tattoo & the aftercare?

Don’t drink too much alcohol or get wasted. The alcohol will thin your blood and make it harder to tattoo you.

For the aftercare I always recommend using palmers cocoa butter as the moisturiser to keep the tattoo from getting too dry.

Keep the tattoo clean and stay out of bodies of water.

Q: What is considered copycatting other people’s work? How do you go about using other tattoos as groundwork for original pieces?

Honestly, I think the copy cat thing is a bit silly.

You didn’t invent a skull, or a dagger, or a snake and there’s only so many ways to tattoo one thing. We all take inspiration from each other.

Well, if someone did a complete rip off of one of my tattoo designs, maybe I’d be a bit annoyed but I think that artists do get too worried about that.

Q: What are some tattoos that you would rather not do or even refuse?

TREES. I absolutely hate tattooing trees, I won’t do them anymore.

Also, I’d refuse to tattoo anyone drunk, underage or pregnant.

Aside from that- it’s their decision.

It might not be my type of thing and I’d rather fill my slots with ideas I’m stoked on but there’s an artist for every tattoo!

Q: Has any client regretted their tattoo and why? What would you consider a bad tattoo idea?

Plenty of people regret their tattoos! Myself included! But no one has every regretted a tattoo from me based on the quality of the tattoo.

A bad tattoo idea… Kiss of death or partners names.

Q: Tipping a tattoo artist is OK or a Nah?

Nice but not necessary.

Q: Biggest pet peeve as tattoo artist?

When people who aren’t tattooers tell you how long the tattoo will take!

Sometimes the simplest tattoos actually take the longest time because they need to be so precise and perfect.

Thinking about your next tattoo? We got you.

As you already know, we are always on the hunt for interesting tattoo artists and stories they can share with the community.

If you have anyone to recommend, just shoot as an email to [email protected] or get in touch through the form on the page.

Take care ❤️