DESIGN PHASE
After you book, I get to work.
Once the deposit is paid, the project is live. I do multiple rounds of sketching on my own, working through compositions and approaches. I plan out the tonal structure. Sometimes I do color studies. You won't see most of this. It's how I think through the problem.
Don't call me. I'll call you.
I'll remind you of your upcoming appointment. I may send you an in-process version of the design between the deposit and the appointment. If something urgent comes up on your end, reach out. Otherwise, let me work.
You'll see the design before your appointment.
Before you come in, you'll see a comprehensive mockup. Shaded, sometimes with color. Sometimes I use 3D modeling to show how the design sits on your body. This builds excitement and confirms we're headed in the right direction.
The stencil happens day-of.
The final line drawing gets prepared the day of your appointment. Stencils are fragile. They need to be fresh when they touch your skin.
Got questions? Ready to book?
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About James Wisdom
Greetings, my name is James, and I’m a tattooer, fine artist, and educator based in Chicago, Illinois. I’ve been tattooing since 2001. My work focuses on illustrative and bio-organic themes and often includes tattoo cover-ups, refreshes, or integrations. I work in both black and gray and color.
My background includes a tattoo apprenticeship, a BFA in oil painting, and an MFA in studio art. I draw on that formal training in my tattoo practice, along with long-term study of tattoo history, aesthetics, and technique. I aim to make tattoos that are structurally sound, visually distinct, and made to last.
I design tattoos for fit and flow. I want to create a strong silhouette and clear contrast that flatter the form and read at a glance. We’ll start with a consult, plan sessions, pace the pain intelligently, and keep expectations clear technically, financially, and physically, from first sketch through aftercare.
Tattooing is a commercial service. It’s also an agreement between people that requires planning, trust, and a certain tolerance for discomfort. I take that seriously. Clients should know what to expect, technically, financially, and physically. I provide that clarity up front and throughout the process.
I reserve the right to decline work that doesn’t align with my values or judgment. My goal is not to persuade but to collaborate with people who are open to the process and willing to see where it leads.
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