Best Realism Tattoo Artists in Chicago, IL
Top realism tattoo artists in Chicago, IL ranked by review evidence.
1. Vik ✓ verified
at Chicago Realism Tattoos
HIGH
12 mentions
"Great experience! 12/10 Vik did a memorial tattoo of my dad and the result was incredible. He guided me through the design, made suggestions to enhance the outcome"
2. Naz ✓ verified
at Chicago Realism Tattoos
HIGH
6 mentions
"Naz did an amazing job on my tattoo. Had a tattoo done a year ago and started to look bad and he made it look 100 times better."
3. Viktor
at Chicago Realism Tattoos
HIGH
4 mentions
"I recently had a portrait done by Viktor, it looks amazing and I couldn’t be happier. The shop is clean . The artist also took the time to explain in detail the after"
4. Ivan ✓ verified
at Chicago Realism Tattoos
HIGH
3 mentions
"tter than I expected — couldn’t be happier with it!
Highly recommend Ivan! Super talented and great at his work."
5. Andres ✓ verified
at Chicago Realism Tattoos
HIGH
1 mention
"Andres is incredible and this shop is awesome. My Tank passed away recently and seeing the previous work Andres had done I knew he was my gu"
6. Molly ✓ verified
at Black Atlas Studios
HIGH
4 mentions
"Molly did my tattoo and she was the sweetest. She did it so perfectly and was very open to changing things and making sure I was happy with"
7. Kelsey ✓ verified
at Black Atlas Studios
HIGH
4 mentions
"tattoo shop will be the only place I visit from now on. My artist Kelsey is so amazing I had to follow her there. This shop itself is super clean and I love the plants and local ar"
8. Angel ✓ verified
at Black Atlas Studios
HIGH
3 mentions
"Very clean, Angel is amazing."
9. Tito ✓ verified
at Black Atlas Studios
HIGH
3 mentions
"welcoming environment and truly talented artists. I highly recommend Tito—he’s been working on my sleeve and his work is phenomenal. He photoshops your design onto your arm beforeh"
10. Crystal ✓ verified
at Black Atlas Studios
HIGH
3 mentions
"y nervous about the experience but heard from a friend that Crystal is amazing. She was right - I'm so happy with tattoo itself, and Crystal did such a great job making me feel com"
11. Louis ✓ verified
at Barak Studios: Custom Tattoos and Atelier
HIGH
13 mentions
@louisbarak
"antastic and does a great job with my initial idea! I would recommend Louis to anyone looking for a unique and beautiful piece."
12. Hi ✓ verified
at Barak Studios: Custom Tattoos and Atelier
HIGH
6 mentions
"ew it for me on the spot in his distinct, incredible style. His work is meticulous and I'm so happy with the outcome. He was super easy to schedule with, and his studio was a great"
13. Lou ✓ verified
at Barak Studios: Custom Tattoos and Atelier
HIGH
2 mentions
@louisbarak
"He does great work, I’ve gotten a couple done by Lou and every time is a great experience. His work ethic is inspiring and he exceeds all my expectations. He makes the time go by e"
14. Thi ✓ verified
at Barak Studios: Custom Tattoos and Atelier
HIGH
1 mention
"ive. You’d never know there was another tattoo underneath.
This tattoo means so much to me, and I couldn’t be more grateful for the care and artistry Louis put into it. It’s a pie"
15. Barak ✓ verified
at Barak Studios: Custom Tattoos and Atelier
HIGH
1 mention
@louisbarak
"good understanding of the tattoo after care needed. Highly recommend Barak and definitely plan on going back to him for future ideas. (Pelican was done by a different artist)"
16. Pava
at PAVASART tattoo collective
MED
2 mentions
"dge and light snacks really made me feel at home.
I can’t recommend Pava enough!"
17. Askhat
at PAVASART tattoo collective
LOW
1 mention
"ly. It is powerful and of high quality.
I would definitely recommend Askhat and this place to everybody who seeks not just a good job but a professional approach."
18. Angelina
at Lucky Kat Tat Chicago
HIGH
20 mentions
"I’ve had all 15+ of my fine line tiny tatts done by Angelina and it’s been an amazing experience everytime! Her lines are precise, shading is smooth, and everything heals beautiful"
19. Ceci
at Lucky Kat Tat Chicago
HIGH
13 mentions
"Ceci is the best.
Great conversations. Great work. Very clean
She has a way of making you feel comfortable when you’re nervous about a tatto"
20. Desiree
at Lucky Kat Tat Chicago
HIGH
5 mentions
"t time here and it was absolutely spacious and comfortable. Desiree did an amazing job on my piece! The crispness of the tattoo and the small details made it look better than I pic"
21. Iris
at Lucky Kat Tat Chicago
HIGH
4 mentions
"and the results were better than I could’ve imagined.
Would recommend Iris to everyone she’s super nice, knowledgeable, and pays a lot of attention to detail on her tattoos!
Instag"
22. Amber
at Lucky Kat Tat Chicago
MED
2 mentions
"ing with. Look at these pictures. The dog in the muzzle was done by Amber. She took my idea and totally ran with it. She listened to me, but also definitely guided me to help make "
23. Anna
at Pioneer Tattoo Studio
LOW
1 mention
"I just got a second tattoo done by Anna and it was a great experience! She’s great at tattooing as well as being professional and kind. She’s accommodating if you need"
24. Anthony ✓ verified
at West Loop Tattoo Collective
HIGH
1 mention
"hospitable through the whole process; along with his fellow artist Anthony. Definitely the best tattoo experience I've ever had."
25. Josh ✓ verified
at West Loop Tattoo Collective
HIGH
1 mention
"Josh did an incredible job on my memorial tattoo of my chocolate lab! The details he worked in were amazing and I couldn't be happier.
The s"
26. Alex
at Speakeasy Custom Tattoo
HIGH
13 mentions
"Alex did an amazing job with my memorial tattoo! Had him add some of his own design to the image and I couldn't be happier."
27. Dina
at Speakeasy Custom Tattoo
HIGH
5 mentions
"Highly recommend Dina litun, the quality of her work I would kill for, thankfully they accept cash lol"
28. Evgenii
at Speakeasy Custom Tattoo
HIGH
3 mentions
"ii Matsapura. Brigitta tattooed Doc Holliday on my side and Evgenii did the vampire on my arm from Sinners. They both turned out exactly as I wanted them to. I will continue having"
29. Alex Prequel
at Speakeasy Custom Tattoo
HIGH
3 mentions
"100/10, absolutely recommend! Alex Prequel did a kintsugi inspired sleeve based on inspiration art I sent him and I could not be any happier!! Brilliant color, amazing li"
31. Lexi
at Crispy Aura Fine Line Tattoos & Tooth Gems
HIGH
14 mentions
"The whole process was so easy start to finish. 10/10 would recommend Lexi and Crispy Aura if you're looking for a Chicago shop!"
32. Jess
at Crispy Aura Fine Line Tattoos & Tooth Gems
HIGH
8 mentions
"Jess did an amazing job on my tattoo! She took feedback really well on the design and nailed it! She was super helpful in helping me decide"
33. Linh
at Crispy Aura Fine Line Tattoos & Tooth Gems
HIGH
9 mentions
"I worked with Linh (@petitetats) and she is LOVELY and a very skilled artist! She took time with creating my design and it turned out even be"
34. Cate
at Crispy Aura Fine Line Tattoos & Tooth Gems
HIGH
7 mentions
"Cate did my tattoo, and I was so impressed at every single step!!! The studio is clean and very cute, all the artists were kind and professi"
35. Ash ✓ verified
at Crispy Aura Fine Line Tattoos & Tooth Gems
HIGH
6 mentions
"xperiences with Crispy Aura for both of my tattoos! I can’t recommend Ash and Jess enough. 🩵
I got my first tattoo from Jess and I couldn’t have asked for a better experience! I a"
36. Rosemary
at Chicago Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing
MED
2 mentions
"Rosemary did an awesome job with me and my mom. Made us feel comfortable and safe"
37. Ruben ✓ verified
at Chicago Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing
HIGH
2 mentions
"Ruben did a fantastic job on my tattoo on my left leg. This tattoo shines. It took 4 1/2 hours and it was well worth it . Go to Ruben to get"
38. Sam ✓ verified
at Chicago Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing
HIGH
1 mention
"Sam is amazing one of the very best. Greatest person here"
39. Rossmary
at Chicago Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing
LOW
1 mention
"Rossmary did my eyebrow and nose pricing fast and easy💯. I recommend her 💯"
40. Jonathan ✓ verified
at Chicago Ink Tattoo & Body Piercing
HIGH
1 mention
"i needed a red tattoo covered up and Jonathan did an amazing job. he was very nice and polite. he gave out cool stickers too. very happy with my cover up"
41. Yulia
at Tattoo Art Chicago
HIGH
5 mentions
"very clean, and organized and the staff is professional. I worked with Yulia and she was amazing! She took the time to make sure the tattoo design, size and position were what I wa"
42. Gady ✓ verified
at Tattoo Art Chicago
HIGH
5 mentions
"BEWARE Gady did my tattoo at Speakeasy years ago and after I took the tape off (healing process) I had to go to the hospital because my skin was ra"
43. Aleh
at Tattoo Art Chicago
HIGH
2 mentions
"Great tattoo shop!!!! Aleh is awesome and recommend him to anyone looking for a realistic tattoo."
44. Jako
at Tattoo Art Chicago
HIGH
2 mentions
"yone there is so kind and the atmosphere is super chill, My artist Jako is a very kind and talented artist and you can really tell how much he loves what he does! Im glad that he’"
45. Cori ✓ verified
at Logan Square Tattoo
HIGH
13 mentions
"Highly recommend Cori for precision and great artistry."
46. Gifford
at Logan Square Tattoo
HIGH
8 mentions
"Had an amazing experience!! My artist Gifford is extremely talented and highly recommend!"
47. Pablo ✓ verified
at Logan Square Tattoo
HIGH
5 mentions
"Pablo did a cover-up/rework of a cover up I got done a couple years ago that I wasn’t happy with. A lot of artists I reached out to wouldn’t"
48. Logan Square ✓ verified
at Logan Square Tattoo
HIGH
5 mentions
"Highly recommend Logan Square Tattoo and Allie specifically.
It’s always hard to pick a shop, especially in a place like Chicago with so many. Cam"
49. Allie ✓ verified
at Logan Square Tattoo
HIGH
4 mentions
"y partner for a random walk-in while we were in Chicago and got tattooed by Allie and Cori. They were both great tattooers with fantastic 'bedside manner.' They answered my partner"
50. Ben
at Deluxe Tattoo
HIGH
5 mentions
"Most professional tattoo experience of my life! Ben did an awesome job on a cover up for me. He came up with an awesome design, communication was great, and he did a great job. "
51. Claudio
at Deluxe Tattoo
HIGH
4 mentions
"Claudio did a great job on my tattoo I love it. I emailed him a couple of ago about some ideas and he responded quickly . He put me at ease"
52. John Wayne
at Deluxe Tattoo
HIGH
3 mentions
"John Wayne is the best. He’s always easy to book with and he’s always able to bring my vision to life!"
53. David
at Deluxe Tattoo
HIGH
2 mentions
"I’ve had work done by David, Troy, and Jason and I love each piece I’ve had done. My husband has had work done by Troy as well and other artist I don’t kn"
54. Troy
at Deluxe Tattoo
HIGH
3 mentions
"nd I love each piece I’ve had done. My husband has had work done by Troy as well and other artist I don’t know the names of at Deluxe and they all look fantastic. The consistency o"
55. Brandon
at Mind Crusher Tattoo
HIGH
5 mentions
"Best tattoo place ever this was done by Brandon"
56. Mind Crusher ✓ verified
at Mind Crusher Tattoo
HIGH
3 mentions
@mindcrushertattoo
"5 stars
100% on rotten tomatoes
10/10
I recommend Mind Crusher and Kalm. Such a great experience and will definitely go back for any and all future tats :)
Walk in welcome and frie"
57. Kalm
at Mind Crusher Tattoo
HIGH
2 mentions
"Kalm was my artist, he was so great and made sure I was comfortable and confident throughout the process. I got a script tattoo on my lower"
58. Brenton
at Mind Crusher Tattoo
MED
2 mentions
"eference pics. I will absolutely be coming back to get work done by Brenton. 💜☮️✨"
59. Jesus
at Bloodline Tattoo Co.
LOW
1 mention
"My artist was Jose and I also got to speak with the artist Jesus. Great customer service and I really love my tattoo. Will definitely be booking my appt with them next month ! Than"
60. Mackenzie
at Hidden Light Tattoo
LOW
1 mention
"ere is so cool and everyone was very kind and professional! Mackenzie did a great job with both of my tattoos and made sure I was comfortable from start to finish. She was very pat"
61. Aiden ✓ verified
at Evergreen Studios
HIGH
2 mentions
"Aiden did an incredible job making me feel comfortable and welcome for my first ever tattoo! She was able to fit me into her schedule on ve"
62. Emily ✓ verified
at Evergreen Studios
HIGH
2 mentions
"Emily is the best floral tattoo artist in Chicago and you cannot convince me otherwise. If you're looking for gorgeous work in a comfortable"
63. Alyssa
at Evergreen Studios
MED
2 mentions
"I worked with Alyssa on four separate days for a tattoo and enjoyed the space. It was colorful and trendy, while being quiet enough to talk, r"
64. Bethany
at Evergreen Studios
MED
1 mention
"Bethany was my tattoo artist, she is absolutely wonderful and I'm so happy and pleased with my tattoo. It started with my sketch/ideas and s"
65. Sammi
at Evergreen Studios
LOW
1 mention
"sited this studio for the first time, following my favorite artist Sammi. This was a really chill studio, good vibe, loved the natural light. And for being in the city, it was very"