Very pleased to present today, Iulian from Romania, a rising talent, inspired by dark themes. Iulian’s work stands out with his black and grey realism, featuring high contrast and sharp edges. Let’s get to know more about Iulian and explore his journey as a tattoo artist.
How would you like to introduce yourself to our readers?
Hi! My name is Iulian. I’m known as Iulian Skulls ‘n’ Roses and I do realistic black and grey tattoos and try to have a good time doing it!
What made you so interested in tattoos?
I always liked to draw and was good at it and when I was a teenager there were two shows at the TV, LA Ink and Miami Ink; that blew my mind, how you can touch a persons life forever with beautiful art of their stories; when I went to collage I bought my first tattoo kit and started tattooing colleagues in the student dormitories. At that time in my country there were a dozen shops and the industry was almost nonexistent.
At what point in your life, you became a professional tattoo artist?
After I graduated, I worked a regular job for a couple of years and in 2018 I took the decision to work as tattoo artist full time. I rented a space in a shop and it was the best decision I ever took professionally. In 2022 I opened Legend Tattoo Bucharest with a buddy of mine and found a couple of great artists and that changed everything.
How would you describe the tattoo scene in Romania these days?
As a former comunist country where tattoos were associated with gangs and former prisoners, Romania, I think it’s a bit behind in the tattoo scene but in the last couple of years I saw a massive improvement in the industry especially in tattoo conventions.
How would you define your current tattoo style and how did you end up focusing on it?
I always liked drawing with pencil and sketching and that is the reason I love tattooing in black and grey with sharp, defined edges and high contrast; Kat Von D was my first inspiration and listened to rock bands and I think that’s were the dark/religious style came from and I always thought skulls were cool and the anatomy of it is amazing; so I’d describe my style as black and grey dark realism.
Please walk us through your process when you start a new tattoo for your customers.
We meet in the morning, me and the client, and talk about what tattoo they want and try to found out what’s the story behind it and why he wants that tattoo and try to make something unique out if it; we make the whole project in the first session and divide it into multiple sessions; I tattoo until around 19:00 or until we finish the tattoo, take some pictures and post to social media.
What’s the most challenging aspect of being a tattoo artist in 2025?
The most difficult part is changing the clients mind from doing the trending tattoos and making them see that the possibilities are endless.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a tattoo artist?
The fact that you do what you like and get paid while doing it.
What’s your experience at tattoo conventions so far?
I started participating a couple of years ago and was immediately in love with the experience; it was then I realised I was good at this craft.
Did you ever participate at any tattoo contest?
Yes and I won prices at all the contests I participated and aimed higher and higher.
What’s your primary reason to attend a tattoo convention?
Conventions are great for their energy, for meeting new people and great artists, seeing them in action and their tattoos up close; you also get to test new tattoo products; I think at conventions you are at the top of your game and create the best tattoos possible and when you reach a certain level of tattooing you cannot go back so you improve a little every time you participate.
How do you think tattoo conventions could improve for the artists and the public?
Good communication and better organization are always welcome.
What’s your favorite tattoo convention so far? And why?
Bucharest Tattoo Convention is the best for me because it’s the biggest and best I’ve participated. You can clearly see the effort put in by Costi Azoitei.
What advice would you offer to someone considering a career as a tattoo artist?
Work hard and always try to do better, in the end it’s worth it.
Who are the people you admire the most within the tattoo community?
Victor Portugal, Buller BG, Harrison Tattoo, Mr. Nobody, Anrejs Straume, Hernan Yepes and many more.
What’s your biggest accomplishment as a tattoo artist?
My greatest accomplishment was opening up Legend Tattoo Bucharest and putting together a great team so I don’t feel at work when I’m at the shop tattooing.
How do you stay at the top of your game?
I surround myself with great artists and try to learn from them and healthy competition is always great for improving, lately tattoo conventions help me bring out the best in me; I work hard but don’t forget to take some time off.
Do you do other forms of art besides tattooing?
I used to draw a lot and sketch but now tattooing is my primary form of art.
What are your goals or dreams for the near future?
My goal is to create a style of my own and generally try to change peoples minds so they see that tattoos are a form of art and expression and everyone should do what they like with their bodies and not get judged or categorised by that.
Is there anything else you would like to tell our readers?
Work hard for what you love.
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