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10929 Weyburn Ave. 3rd Floor, los angeles CA, 90024

Andrey Kolbasin is an award-winning tattoo artist in Los Angeles specializing in realism, portraits, black and grey tattoos, and large-scale custom work.

TATTOO ARTIST IN LOS ANGELES

ANDREY KOLBASIN

Realism. Portraits. Large-Scale Tattoos.

I’m Andrey Kolbasin, a tattoo artist based in Los Angeles.
I specialize in realistic tattoos, portraits, and large custom projects, including full sleeves and back pieces.

I’ve spent years traveling, working at international tattoo conventions, and learning from other artists. That experience has shaped how I approach tattoos today. For me, it’s not just about adding more detail. It’s about making the whole piece work together.
SELECTED WORKS
Here’s a selection of tattoos I’ve created over the years.
Some are individual portraits, while others are larger projects that cover an entire arm, back, or other areas of the body.

Every tattoo comes with its own challenges. The subject, placement, skin, size, and amount of detail all influence how I build the design.
My Experience
as a Tattoo Artist
Over the years, tattooing has taken me to conventions and studios around the world. I've had the opportunity to compete alongside talented artists, judge tattoo competitions, share my experience, and learn from people with very different approaches to the craft.

Some of my tattoos have received awards at international conventions. I'm proud of those achievements, but what matters most to me today is creating work that looks right as a whole.
Education
and Judging
International Tattoo Conventions
Publications
and Interviews
Awards
and Recognition
I've taken part in judging tattoo competitions and sharing professional experience through lectures and master classes.
I've participated in tattoo conventions in different countries, presenting my work and meeting artists from around the world.
My work and professional experience have been featured in tattoo publications and interviews.
My tattoos have received awards in categories including realism, portraits, color, black and grey, and large-scale work.
Realism has always been one of the main directions in my work. I enjoy working with portraits, complicated compositions, and large tattoos where every part needs to connect.

I pay a lot of attention to proportions, contrast, placement, and how the design works with the body. Sometimes an idea looks great as a picture but needs serious changes before it can become a good tattoo.

That’s part of my job, too. I don’t just transfer an image onto skin. I work on making the idea fit the person and the area we’re tattooing.
ABOUT ANDREY KOLBASIN
My Approach
to Tattooing
I’ve participated in international tattoo conventions for years, and some of those experiences have become important milestones in my career.

One example was a convention in China, where a full-color Harry Potter sleeve I created won second place in the Large Color Tattoo category.

At Inkmania in Belgium, I received second place for one of my tattoos and was invited to join the judging panel the following day.

Experiences like these have given me the opportunity to see incredible work, exchange ideas, and grow as an artist.
Tattoo Awards and Recognition

Planning a Tattoo in Los Angeles?

If you’re thinking about a realistic portrait, full sleeve, back piece, or another custom tattoo, send me your idea.

Include the placement, approximate size, and a few reference images if you have them.
I’ll review the project and let you know what I think would work best.

My initial consultation is free, so we can discuss the concept and figure out the next steps before booking.

Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know about booking, pricing, the artistic process, and how we work together. If your question isn't covered here, send me a message — I'm happy to help.

01

Booking & Consultation

To get started, send me a consultation request with your idea, placement, approximate size, and any reference images you want me to see. The more clearly you describe the concept, the easier it is for me to understand the direction of the project and evaluate the scope of the work. After I review your request, I'll get back to you with feedback, pricing guidance, and booking options. A deposit is required to lock in your appointment date.

Yes. My initial consultation is free. It gives us a chance to discuss your idea, placement, scale, visual direction, and the overall structure of the project. It's also the best time to ask practical questions about timing, number of sessions, and what approach will work best for your tattoo.

Yes. I primarily specialize in realism, and that allows me to take on highly detailed custom work of different types and levels of complexity. Whether you're looking for a portrait, a sleeve, a large-scale composition, or a cover-up, I build every design individually around your idea, your anatomy, and the final visual impact we want to achieve.

That depends on the complexity of the piece. Smaller or more direct concepts usually move faster, while large custom work takes more preparation. I always focus on building a strong tattoo rather than rushing the design stage.

Absolutely. Reference material is always helpful. You can send images that reflect the mood, subject matter, texture, composition, or overall direction you have in mind. I don't copy references literally — I use them to develop a custom piece that fits your idea and my artistic approach.

02

Pricing & Session Format

My rate is $2,000 per session.

One full-day session is 6 hours.

No. I work full day only and do not offer half-day sessions.

A full sleeve usually takes 5 to 8 sessions, depending on the design, complexity, density of detail, and whether the project is done in color or black and grey.

A full back piece usually takes 5 to 10 sessions, depending on the overall concept, coverage, and technical complexity.

As a general estimate, I can complete around 3 x 7 inches in color or about 4 x 8 inches in black and grey in one session. Actual progress always depends on detail, placement, skin, and the structure of the design.

Yes. A deposit is required to reserve your date and begin the booking process.

03

Styles, Project Types & Approach

I'm best known for realism, portraits, large-scale custom work, strong black and grey pieces, and projects that require structure, depth, atmosphere, and technical precision.

Yes. Portrait tattooing is one of the most demanding areas of tattooing because it requires accuracy, experience, control, a strong understanding of facial structure, expression, and tonal balance. I approach portrait work with exactly those qualities in mind.

Yes. Large-format work is one of my strongest directions. I approach sleeves, back pieces, and other масштабные projects as complete visual systems, not just separate tattoo elements placed next to each other.

Yes. I take on selected cover-up projects. The final approach depends on the size, saturation, age, and structure of the existing tattoo. During consultation, I evaluate whether the tattoo can be successfully covered with a new composition and what kind of design will work best.

04

Experience, Recognition & Media

I'm a tattoo artist with strong international professional experience, known for realism, portraits, large-scale custom work, and a serious author-driven approach to composition. My reputation is built not only on client work, but also on industry recognition, awards, conventions, interviews, and educational activity. Source

Yes. I've been featured in interviews and publications including iNKPPL, TattooMarket, Artifex, and Tattoo Life. iNKPPL 1 iNKPPL 2 TattooMarket Artifex Tattoo Life

Yes. I'm part of the pro teams of World Famous Tattoo Ink and KWADRON, I collaborate with Sullen, and I work on a permanent basis at Monna Lissa. World Famous Tattoo Ink Source

Yes — I have many awards and a strong professional track record. You can see the full list on my Awards page.

Yes. I take part in major tattoo conventions and guest appearances connected to the international tattoo scene. Availability depends on my current schedule and booking calendar. Source

05

Preparation & Aftercare

Get a full night of sleep, eat well before the session, stay hydrated, and wear comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the tattoo area. Showing up in good physical condition makes a real difference, especially for longer sessions.

Keep your tattoo clean and follow the aftercare instructions I give you after the session. During healing, avoid soaking, too much friction, unnecessary irritation, and direct sun exposure. Proper aftercare is essential if you want the tattoo to heal clean and keep its detail, contrast, and overall quality.

Surface healing usually takes around 2 weeks, but full skin recovery takes longer, especially on large or dense pieces. The bigger the project, the more important it is to be consistent with aftercare.

If a touch-up is needed after full healing, I handle that on a case-by-case basis. Not every tattoo needs one, but in some cases a small refinement helps bring the result to its final level.

06

Legal & Practical Questions

You must be 18 or older and have valid government-issued photo ID.

Yes. Please bring a valid photo ID to your appointment.

If you have a medical condition, take medication, or have skin-related concerns, let me know before booking. Safety always comes first.

Credentials & Compliance

Licensed and certified to practice body art in Los Angeles County

Andrei Kolbasin Registered Practitioner

01 / Body Art Registration

Los Angeles County Body Art Registration

Andrei Kolbasin is a Registered Body Art Practitioner with the County of Los Angeles Department of Public Health, authorized to perform body art at permitted facilities holding a current public health permit.

Registration № SR0391528
Issued November 12, 2025
Valid through November 12, 2026
Los Angeles County Body Art Registration certificate

02 / Bloodborne Pathogens

Los Angeles County BBP Certification

Andrei Kolbasin has completed the Los Angeles County BBP-420 Bloodborne Pathogen training required for body art practitioners under California OSHA and public health safety regulations.

Course BBP-420
Issued November 5, 2025
Valid through November 5, 2026
Los Angeles County BBP Certification