Aaron Calderon • Tattooing the Essence of Reality

It’s not a secret that the Philippines is one of my favorite countries. I love the nature, the people, the vibe, and above all, I love the amazing tattoo artists coming from those fascinating Pacific Islands.

In fact, the Philippines is home to some of the most talented tattoo artists I ever met. Especially in Realism.

Last year I was invited as a judge at a tattoo convention in Davao, and one new artist really got my attention thanks to a beautifully made portrait of the legendary actress Audrey Hepburn presented at the contest! I loved that piece and I got to know who made it: his name is Aaron Calderon, and I’m glad I got to know him! Here is his story.

How would you introduce yourself to our readers? Who is Aaron Calderon?
As a tattoo artist I am deeply passionate about creating art that resonates with each client or people on a personal level. My forte is colored and black and gray realism, I focus on bringing life-like details to every piece I create. My favorite portrait to do is old movie scenes or iconic people from the 70s to 90s. My goal is to capture the essence of the subject, whether it’s a portrait, nature scene, or any other image, and translate it onto the skin with precision and depth. Realism requires a deep understanding of light, shadow, and texture, and I’m committed to mastering these elements so I take my time to ensure that each tattoo looks as close to reality as possible.

Realism is arguably the most challenging tattoo style. How did you end up focusing on it?
I put myself to a process, I started from the basics. I started from Oriental (2 years) then Traditional and Neo-Ttraditional (2 years) then black and gray (2 years) and of course colored. When the pandemic hit of course there was no client, and to ease my boredom I decided to draw and paint. I posted it online and did a lot of commission paintings. People saw, and for almost a year after the pandemic all my bookings were portrait and animal tattoos (lol.) I decided to stick with it because it’s always challenging and I like how happy my clients are after every session.

Where did your fascination for tattoos come from?
As a kid I was really mischievous, I wouldn’t listen to my teacher when we’re having class, instead I was in the back, doodling on my notebook or my classmates notebook. I had no idea about tattoos up until college when a guy in class invited me to cut school to watch an underground tattoo competition. It was like I entered a different world, I thought “Wow that’s amazing! I think I can do that too.”

When did it happen?
It was back in 2013 at an underground tattoo competition in Siniloan Laguna, where I got inspired to be a tattoo artist. If I didn’t cut class that time I don’t know If I would be a tattoo artist now.

And what happened next? You started tattooing?
After I watched that underground competition, I started to watch Youtube videos about tattoos. I got inspired and throughout the summer I did henna tattoos in our neighborhood, part time painting in murals and kiddie birthday parties face painting then saved money from it to buy magazines about tattoos (INK Magazine). When I had enough money I bought my first tattoo machine (coil) online for P5,000 and a 1oz black ink then started practicing in bananas and orange fruit.

Where are you currently based?
Kalayaan, Laguna Philippines

How would you describe the current tattoo scene in the Philippines?
It really changed and grew over the past few years. The industry has seen significant improvements in professionalism and hygiene standards. Many studios now prioritize safe practices, high-quality equipment, and continuing education for artists, aligning with international standards.Tattoos, once stigmatized in certain parts of Filipino society, are becoming more widely accepted, especially among younger generations. They are now seen as a form of personal expression and art rather than just a symbol of rebellion or a mark of gang affiliation. The Philippines also hosts several tattoo competitions, before I was only joining once a year but now there are competitions almost every month, I’m not complaining though; it’s also a way to showcase our talent or experiment and discover new talented artists.

How do you stand out in such a competitive niche in a country like the Philippines, which is home to so many talented realistic artists?
The truth is I don’t expect much, I love what I do, I just enjoy what I do, I like meeting talented people, hearing their amazing stories, I’m just really thankful because I get to do this.

What’s the process to create tattoos for your customers?

1. Consultation
   Starting with a consultation, I get to know the customer’s vision, ideas, and the meaning behind the tattoo they want. This could be in person or via online communication. Then we discuss the design elements, including size, placement, style, and any references they might have. If it’s a realism piece, we’ll talk about the specific image they want to be tattooed and how it can be adapted to the body then I make the design and revisions. After the agreement, I make sure that they are ready a week or 2 days before; I tell them to hydrate, moisturize the area where the tattoo will be, get enough sleep the day before.
2. Tattoo Session
   I like to start early, like 9am! I make sure everything is ready before the client arrives, I make sure to sanitize every piece of equipment I’ll use. I place the stencil on the skin to check positioning. We can make adjustments if needed to ensure it fits the contours of the body just right. Once the placement is perfect, I begin the tattooing process. This involves layering, shading, and detailing to achieve the realistic look. I’ll check in with the customer throughout to ensure they’re comfortable. For longer sessions, I encourage breaks to keep the client comfortable and maintain the quality of my work.
3. Aftercare
   After the tattoo is complete, I’ll clean the area, apply a protective layer, and provide detailed aftercare instructions. I also send it to them to make sure they remember it. This is crucial for proper healing and maintaining the tattoo’s quality. Of course I’m always available for any follow-up questions or concerns. If touch-ups are needed after healing.

What is the main source of inspiration for your tattoos?
For colored: Dmitri Samohin. For Black and Gray: Den Yakovlev.

What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2024?
People that don’t understand art.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
Seeing my clients reaction after the session. Sometimes they get really emotional and It’s really touching.

You mentioned earlier how your career started after a visiting a tattoo competition. What do you think about tattoo competitions and tattoo events in general?
Exciting and Amazing. It brings out my competitive side, I get to meet amazing people, I get to meet the people/artists I look up to.

What is your primary reason for attending tattoo conventions?
As a fan of art, I like seeing new Ideas and techniques, to meet new artists, to get inspired and to continue to learn :)
How do you think tattoo conventions could improve for both artists and the public?
Convention organizers here are great but for the public, we can try introducing more interactive elements, such as live demonstrations, “try before you buy” temporary tattoos, or virtual reality experiences of getting a tattoo, could engage the public in a more hands-on way.

What has been your favorite tattoo convention so far, and why?
Taiwan Tattoo Convention, Savage Ink Tattoo Convention and Patik sa Panit (Davao). All of these conventions are very professional, very diverse, very fun and not biased judging.

What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Draw, practice on paper, practice on fake skin, learn about the basics. Believe in yourself, don’t listen to other people’s opinion about you or your dream, your biggest competition is you.

Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
Dmitri Samohin, Den Yakovlev, Draz Palaming, Aaron Olaviguel, Aldrin Ace Jimenez, Vicente Tipolo.

What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
Work life balance (lol).

How do you deal with pressure of being relevant on social media?
I don’t. I don’t care if I’m relevant to the internet or not. I just love doing what I do.

How do you balance your personal life and work?
Proper time management.

What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
To travel and tattoo in other countries.

Do you have any sponsors? If so, could you share a few words about them?
I would like to thank Osus Tattoo Supplies for believing in me and trusting me to be one of their sponsored artists. Mr. Mark and Miss Lizette have been nothing but kind and amazing to me. I didn’t expect to be on their Pro team because all of the members on their pro team are talented and astounding artists.

Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
– Thank you for taking the time to read this :)