Realistic Tattoo Bangkok
by BKK INK

Five of our artists work in realism, each with a different strength, and all at the same hourly rate.

Ball BKK, co-founder, has been tattooing realism since the studio's early years: Winner Best of Realistic at the Pattaya International Convention 2011, 1st runner-up in Realistic at Pattaya in 2013, then 2nd prize Best Realism at the Stockholm Ink Bash 2014. Realism is also what feeds his neo-traditional work: light, volume and anatomy. Bon, self-taught, made his name with hyper-realism and micro-realism, in black and grey as much as in colour, and is arguably one of the strongest realism artists in Thailand; he took 1st prize Best of Show at the Artistic Ink Festival 2025.

Zia went to art school and worked in studios in France and Australia before joining us in 2020. He loves black and grey realism with a darkside edge, sometimes mixed with biomechanics, and sometimes draws freehand straight on the skin. Titun splits his time between new school and realism, with 1st prizes for Best of Realistic Portrait at the Hua Hin Tattoo Convention 2015 and Best of Portrait at the Thailand Tattoo Expo 2017. Mhee, our Japanese specialist, also tattoos high-contrast realism, and works fast.

It starts with a free consultation, with no obligation to book. We tattoo realism in colour as much as in black and grey. Bring the sharpest reference photo you have, an idea or simply a story, and your artist builds a custom design around it and the placement you want.

Sessions run 4 to 6 hours, with breaks whenever you need them. A palm-sized realistic piece, or a medium one of 10 to 20 cm, is usually finished in a single session. Realistic tattoos demand patience: photo-realistic detail, smooth gradients and 3D depth take time, and we never rush the process. Sleeves, back pieces and full chest realism take 4 to 10 sessions over several months, with at least two weeks between sittings so the skin heals cleanly.

Needles are single-use, ink is poured into disposable caps that are thrown away after each client, and we work with Dynamic and Eternal inks, both vegan and cruelty-free. Our artists who tattoo at European conventions also hold the hygiene and sanitation certifications required there.

Realism on skin borrows a lot from painting. If you want to read about those roots before you book, the Wikipedia article on photorealism, the art movement, is a good place to start.

Realism starts at 4,000 THB, which is roughly the first hour: 1,000 THB of materials plus 3,000 THB per hour. All twelve of our artists, Ball BKK included, charge the same rate, and you pay for the time actually spent, under a maximum agreed at the consultation.

On our size grid, a medium A5 portrait usually lands between 8,000 and 15,000 THB, a half-sleeve between 25,000 and 50,000 THB, and a full sleeve between 60,000 and 120,000 THB. A deposit, from 1,000 THB for small pieces up to 3,000 THB per planned day for large projects, secures your date. See the full pricing guide.

A palm-sized piece or a medium piece of 10 to 20 cm is usually done in a single session. Sleeves and back pieces take 4 to 10 sessions of 4 to 6 hours, with at least two weeks between sittings.

Yes. Small and medium tattoos can be done the same day, in every style, realism included: for a small piece the wait is usually up to an hour during the day, and none after 8 pm. For a large realism project, book ahead: we take bookings up to a year in advance and reply to messages within 24 hours. We speak English, French and Thai in the studio.

Yes, and it is some of the work our artists care about most. Bon in particular finds real satisfaction in tattooing the portrait of a pet that has passed away and seeing what it means to its owner. Send the sharpest photo you have, ideally in good light: the detail in the reference shapes the detail on the skin.

Realism captures a subject as the eye sees it: accurate proportions, natural shading, a recognisable likeness. Hyperrealism pushes further, with 3D depth, photographic detail and the illusion of texture, skin pores, fur, wet eyes. Both are technically demanding, and hyperrealism usually takes more time. At our studio, we aim for hyperrealism on every realistic piece.

Sleep well the night before, eat a full meal within two hours of your appointment, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol for 24 hours. Wear loose clothing that leaves the area free, and bring snacks, water and a phone charger: realism sessions are long. Once it's done, follow our aftercare guide.