Fine line tattoos can be meaningful and fun. In the interview with tattooist Sop, he talks about how to get one you won’t regret.
Fine line tattoos have been increasingly popular because of the simplicity embedded. Compared to traditional solid blackwork, fine line tattoos have a natural lightness that appeals to women and the younger generation.
However, creating a good fine line tattoo is not as easy as it seems. A tattooist must consider the techniques, design, and personal story of the receiver to come up with something timeless.
That’s why I am thrilled to talk to Sop, a tattooist based in South Korea that specializes in fine line and lettering letters. As an emerging artist in the Korean tattooing industry, he puts forward an extensive collection of fine line tattoos that are simple but at the same time meaningful.
In this tattooist Sop interview, he talks about his view on fine line tattoos, his inspirations, and how to get a fine line tattoo you won’t regret. Keep scrolling to know more about him.
Tattooist Sop interview
Starting as a tattooist
Sop was first introduced to tattooing by his Vice Principal in high school. But his interest in becoming a tattooist peaked when he came to know an artist named Novo with a distinctive personal style of tattooing. The eagerness to develop his own style drove Sop on the path of becoming a tattooist.
“I have always enjoyed scribbling and handwriting since high school. Influenced by Novo’s work, I thought I would be able to work on tattoos using what I did best and what I could do best.”
Another source of inspiration for Sop is Jean-Jacques Sempé, a French illustrator and the artist behind Le Petit Nicolas. His paintings inspire Sop to see the world from a child’s perspective and to always remain curious about the little things around him.
“If you pay attention, there’s beauty in everything. Buildings, pictures and letters on people’s clothes, grass and trees, the shape of the moon and mountains, and the waves, etc.”
In his six years of working as a tattooist, he developed a minimalist tattooing style incorporating scribbling and handwriting.
But his becoming a tattooist wasn’t always smooth. Like many new artists, Sop didn’t have a large enough client base to support him financially.
“It was hard to pay the studio rent because I didn’t have enough clients to trust me when I started tattooing. Because of that, I had to combine tattooing and other work.”
Against all odds, he had been creating two designs daily and posting them on social media for two years. As a result, more people got to know him. And his work started to go global.”
How simple, minimalist tattoos grab hearts
The fine line is a tool. And what matters is how you use it to create an impactful design.
Sop’s idea of fine line tattoos doesn’t stay on the technical perspective. For him, fine line tattoos have the potential to break the bias of tattooing.
“Many people, most from the older generation, think of tattoos as a symbol of gangsters. But they are not. They are beautiful ornaments on the bodies.”
Because his work is so simple and elegant, some of his clients told him that his tattoos surprised their parents. “They think my tattoos are different from what they expected. And I am so proud that they like my work.”
The most memorable tattoos Sop has done are scripts handwritten by the wearers’ families.
“Some clients ask me to ink their families’ handwriting on their bodies as a family tattoo or a memorial tattoo. Though their families are no longer with them, they still have a permanent ink to hold onto.”
At first, most of Sop’s clients are young girls in their 20s. However, as Sop’s client base continues to grow, more and more people come to him for a tattoo.
“Clients in their 20s often want a small quote tattoo or a word tattoo that reflects their beliefs or life philosophies. However, those in their 30s and 40s usually prefer graphical tattoos like butterflies, moon, and flowers. But it’s all personal. And I always try to work with the clients to figure out what fits them best.”
How to get a fine line tattoo you won’t regret
In their nature, fine line tattoos tend to blur more quickly than those with thick, black lines. And that’s one of the biggest concerns people have about getting fine line tattoos. And Sop has shared some tips for making the right call.
“If you want a fine line tattoo, it’s better to avoid placements like fingers, toes, palms, or the bottom of feet. This is because the skin tends to peel off quickly, and the patterns fade more easily than other placements.”
Also, fine line tattoos may require more retouching than other styles. It helps to keep the line sleek and fresh. But again, the frequency of retouching it needs depends on the design and the skin condition.
If you are getting your first tattoo, it’s essential to understand the meaning behind it. “It’s a lifetime decision. The tattooist can only give you a direction. And it’s up to you to pick a design that represents your personality or memory. Dig deep and take time to think, and you will have a tattoo you won’t regret.”
Looking to the future
Like many successful tattoo artists, Sop never stops learning and experimenting. And for him, the next goal to hit is to create free-drawing tattoos without a draft or stencil.
“Normally, when we tattoo, we create a design, print it out in various sizes, and try them on different placements. Then, the tattoo is inked following the stencil. But I want to change the process by free-drawing directly to the skin. It’s not going to be easy. But it will allow my creativity to flow freely on the skin. Also, the tattoo will be smoother and more natural.”
Also, as a young artist, Sop was invited as a guest teacher at Seoul Fine Arts High School. “It really surprised me how welcomed tattooing has become in South Korea. Talking with the students makes me realize the inclusiveness of the younger generation towards tattooing.”
As enthusiastic as the students are, Sop points out that they should also be aware of the difficulties before entering the industry. “It’s not just about designing and tattooing. You also have to consider the finance and marketing.”
That’s why teaching will be one of his priorities in the next five years. “I never thought I would teach. But the experience at Seoul Fine Arts High School really changes my mind. Seeing my work inspire the students is the happiest thing ever.”
As a tattooist with a solid artistic background, Sop is always eager to interpret his art in different mediums. “If I were not a tattooist, I would be a sculptor as sculpting is my major.”
If you want to know more about tattooist Sop, check out Sop’s Instagram profile. Or leave a comment down below to ask him a question.
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