Tattoo Artist and Trainer - Colour Realism

Employer: Liquid Amber Tattoo & Art Collective
Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
Wage: CAD $70 per hour + commissions

Schedule: full-time, 30 hours a week, exact days based on client bookings
Contact: luvia@liquidambertattoo.com

Liquid Amber Tattoo & Art Collective is seeking an experienced Tattoo Artist and Trainer specializing in custom colour realism. The successful candidate will create detailed tattoos combining realistic subjects with imaginative compositions and train other artists in advanced design and tattooing techniques.

Main duties

  • Consult with clients to understand their ideas and advise on tattoo design, size, placement, colour and session planning.

  • Develop original colour-realism designs, including human and animal portraits, nature imagery, and fantasy or surreal compositions.

  • Create custom tattoos using advanced colour blending, shading, saturation and fine-detail techniques to achieve realistic depth, texture and lighting.

  • Incorporate watercolour effects and imaginative backgrounds into realistic designs, adapting compositions to the client’s anatomy.

  • Plan and complete large pieces, including sleeves and tattoos requiring multiple sessions.

  • Prepare workstations and equipment, follow infection-control procedures, maintain client records and provide aftercare instructions.

  • Train and mentor other tattoo artists in colour theory, realistic rendering, colour transitions, shading, texture and composition.

  • Develop practical demonstrations and training exercises, review artists’ work and provide feedback to improve technical execution and artistic consistency.

Experience and skills required

  • More than five years of professional tattooing experience focused on colour realism.

  • A strong portfolio demonstrating advanced colour realism, including detailed portraits, animals and imaginative or fantasy subjects.

  • Strong drawing and custom-design skills, with the ability to combine reference images into original, cohesive compositions.

  • Advanced understanding of colour theory, light, shadow, proportion and perspective.

  • Proficiency in smooth colour blending, controlled saturation, fine details and realistic textures.

  • Ability to integrate watercolour effects and stylized backgrounds into realistic tattoos.

  • Experience planning large compositions that follow the body’s contours.

  • Ability to explain and demonstrate advanced techniques and provide constructive guidance to other artists.

  • Strong client communication skills and knowledge of tattoo hygiene, infection prevention and aftercare.

How to apply

Please send your résumé and a portfolio link to luvia@liquidambertattoo.com, with “Tattoo Artist and Trainer” in the subject line.