Brisbane’s 3 Best Portrait Tattoo Artists In 2025
Portrait Tattoo Artist
Ever wished you could carry a cherished face with you always? At our studio, we’re transforming photographs into living, breathing works of art on skin, creating portrait tattoos that capture the essence of your loved ones.
We understand – portrait tattoos can seem daunting. You might worry about accuracy or whether it’ll truly resemble your subject. But here’s the truth: Our master artists are turning treasured memories into stunning, lifelike pieces that will take your breath away every time you glimpse them.
Take Emma, who visited us last month. She wanted to honour her late grandmother but was anxious about getting the details right. Now, she has a hyper-realistic portrait that captures not just her grandmother’s features, but the twinkle in her eye and the warmth of her smile. Or Michael, whose black and grey portrait of his daughter is so lifelike, people often mistake it for an actual photograph.
At our studio, we’ve perfected the art of bringing portraits to life on skin:
- We meticulously capture every detail, from the curve of a smile to the depth of an eye
- We blend various techniques to enhance realism, from fine line work to subtle shading
- We carefully choose placements that complement the portrait and your body’s contours
Who’s that special someone you’ve been dreaming of immortalizing in ink? Come in for a consultation – we’re passionate about creating portrait tattoos that not only look like your loved ones but capture their spirit and the emotions they evoke in you.
Whether it’s a tribute to a family member, a homage to an idol, or a celebration of a relationship, our portrait tattoos go beyond mere representation. They’re windows to the soul, frozen moments of connection, and testaments to the bonds that shape our lives.
Don’t settle for a mere picture when you can have a masterpiece. Let us help you wear your heart on your sleeve – quite literally – with a portrait tattoo that tells your unique story and always keeps your loved ones close.
1. Penno
Meet Penno, the maestro of realism who’s turning skin into living, breathing canvases. Don’t be fooled by his humble demeanour – this artist’s skill with a tattoo machine is nothing short of extraordinary. Whether you’re after a portrait so lifelike it could start a conversation or a nature scene that’ll make Mother Earth do a double-take, Penno’s got the magic touch.
Step into his workspace at Brisbane’s bustling studio, and you’ll feel like you’ve entered a photorealist’s dream. His portfolio? Pure visual sorcery. Witness how he turned a client’s simple request for a family portrait into a piece so vivid, you’d swear it could blink.
Penno’s razor-sharp attention to detail and mastery of shading have earned him serious acclaim for breathing life into ink. Portraits, wildlife, or intricate landscapes – he nails it all with a realism that’s uniquely his. But don’t let his specialization fool you – this artist’s got range. From delicate fine line work to bold colour pieces, Penno’s versatility is as impressive as his precision. His steady hand and eye for nuance are the stuff of a tattoo legend.
Whether you’re dreaming of a hyper-realistic sleeve that tells your life story or want a perfectly rendered pet portrait that captures every whisker, Penno’s got that uncanny ability to make ink look more real than reality itself. His work is so lifelike that it often leaves viewers questioning if they’re looking at a photograph or an actual tattoo.
Looking to turn your skin into a walking, talking masterpiece? That’s where Penno steps in! With a passion for the craft that’s been honed to perfection, Penno’s not just creating tattoos – he’s crafting wearable art that captures the essence of life itself, one pore and hair follicle at a time.
In the world of realistic and portrait tattoos, Penno isn’t just pushing boundaries – he’s redrawing them entirely. His work doesn’t just adorn skin; it transforms it into a living, breathing testament to the power of artistic vision and technical mastery. When you’re ready to have your mind (and skin) blown, Penno’s the artist who’ll make you do a double-take every time you pass a mirror.
Check out more of Penno’s work and read his reviews!
2. Jake
Alright, let’s cut to the chase about Jake Jones, the wizard of black and grey at CB Ink Brisbane. This guy isn’t just slapping on tattoos; he’s turning skin into a canvas that’ll make your head spin.
Jake’s not your average Joe with a tattoo gun. He’s the guy who took a client’s idea for a “simple forest scene” and turned it into a mind-bending masterpiece. Trees that seem to grow right off the arm, shadows so deep you could lose yourself in them – that’s Jake’s signature move.
But here’s the kicker: Jake doesn’t just do the pretty stuff. Remember Tom, the biker who wanted a “badass skull”? Jake gave him a skull so intricate and haunting, it had Tom’s tough-guy buddies asking for Jake’s number on the spot.
Now, don’t go thinking Jake’s a one-trick pony. Sure, he’s the king of black and grey, but he’s got more tricks up his sleeve than a magician at a kid’s birthday party. One day he’s doing a photorealistic eagle that looks ready to soar off a bicep, the next he’s creating a surreal dreamscape that’d make Salvador Dali scratch his moustache in confusion.
Want a piece of Jake’s magic? Better plan ahead, mate. His waiting list is longer than the queue for tickets to the Ashes. But trust me, it’s worth the wait. Just ask Sarah, who drove all the way from Perth for her sleeve. She said waiting those six months was like waiting for Christmas – painful, but oh so worth it when the day finally came.
In a world of cookie-cutter tattoos, Jake’s the guy serving up gourmet art on a platter of skin. So whether you’re after a portrait that captures your old man’s laugh lines or a full back piece that tells your life story, Jake’s your man. Just be ready for people to do a double-take every time you show off your ink. That’s the Jake Jones effect – turning everyday folks into walking, talking masterpieces, one needle stroke at a time.
Check out more of Jake’s work and read his reviews!
3. Sunny
Let’s talk about Sunny, the artistic chameleon at CB Ink who’s turning tattoos into jaw-dropping masterpieces. This guy isn’t just inking skin, he’s creating windows to other worlds right there on your body.
Step into Sunny’s corner of the studio you’ll see tattoo designs that’ll make you wonder if you’re looking at a photograph or someone’s arm. It’s like Da Vinci decided to pick up a tattoo machine.
Now, Sunny’s not your run-of-the-mill tattoo artist. He’s the bloke who took a client’s vague idea of “something with flowers” and turned it into a botanical wonderland so realistic you can almost smell the petals. Remember Lisa? She wanted a simple portrait of her dog. What she got was a piece so lifelike, her actual pooch started barking at her arm!
But here’s where Sunny really shines: he’s a master of mash-ups. Picture this: a client came in wanting a tattoo of their favorite cityscape. Sunny didn’t just recreate the skyline; he wove in elements from the client’s life story. The result? A bustling urban scene where every building, every street corner told a piece of the client’s journey. It was like reading a novel on someone’s skin.
Sunny’s not content with just one style either. One day he’s crafting a hyperrealistic eye that seems to follow you around the room, the next he’s blending surreal elements into a nature scene that’d make Mother Earth do a double-take. It’s like he’s got a whole art museum tucked away in his brain, ready to spill out onto your skin.
Want a piece of Sunny’s magic? Better bring your A-game ideas, because this guy feeds off creative challenges like a vampire at a blood bank.
In a world where anyone with a Pinterest board thinks they’re a tattoo artist, Sunny’s the real deal. He’s not just decorating skin, he’s telling your story, capturing your dreams, and turning your body into a living, breathing work of art. So whether you’re after a portrait that captures the twinkle in your gran’s eye or a full sleeve that blends reality with fantasy, Sunny’s your man. Just be prepared for strangers to stop you on the street, asking if they can take a closer look. That’s the Sunny effect – turning everyday folks into walking art galleries, one mind-blowing tattoo at a time.
Check out more of Sunny’s work and read his reviews!
Book Your Portrait Tattoo Today!
CB Ink is home to some of Brisbane’s most talented portrait tattoo artists, each of whom has years of experience.
If you’re ready to get your next portrait tattoo, book an appointment today!
If you still have some questions or concerns, feel free to send us a message and we’ll be glad to help!