Artist Spotlight: Fabian Hellberg

Fabian Hellberg didn’t choose tattooing, tattooing chose him. He didn’t have elaborate plans to become a tattoo artist, but shortly after getting his very first tattoo he was hooked. Walking into that tattoo shop completely changed the way he thought about art and life, and after a lot of hard work he has become an incredibly respected tattoo artist specializing in black-and-grey realism. We spoke with Hellberg about his journey and much more.

Do you remember the first time you were interested in art?

To be honest, I don’t have a deep story to show here, because I wasn’t particularly passionate about art in school. When I got tattooed for the first time at 18, I got Chinese characters. My interest in art was awakened with entering the tattoo Shop. I was totally impressed by the different impressions and styles.

How long have you been tattooing for and what first drew you to the art form?

Even before I made the decision to become a tattoo artist, I spent all my money on my own tattoos and was in the studio myself whenever I could for new ink. Personally, I find my skin more beautiful with tattoos and have consciously started to tattoo body parts that I did not particularly like. It occurred to me that others would surely feel the same way and that’s when the idea matured to become a tattoo artist myself in order to realize my own ideas. Five years ago I learned tattooing and since then more than 100 people wear art from me on their bodies. Their whole life long. Isn’t that exciting?!

Did you always think tattooing was going to become your career?

No, not at all actually. I come from the countryside and initially did a very classic apprenticeship. Very much in the spirit of the village dynamic. However, I found it all rather boring and was always happy when another day’s work was done. Thank goodness everything turned out differently.

What were your family and friends’ reactions to you becoming a tattoo artist?

As you can imagine, the reactions couldn’t be more different. For my parents, it was a nightmare come true, and for my friends, it was winning the lottery.

What are the differences between tattoo culture in Germany and the United States?

I think tattoos have a different status in Germany than in the States. With us it’s more of a trend, the main thing is being tattooed, with what is sometimes secondary. It happens more often that appointments are requested on this basis. Tattoos have here in the academic class an extreme hype, perhaps for the coolness factor? In the States, I feel it’s different; you’re a real artist as a tattoo artist. The motifs are often chosen much more purposefully.

What made you want to focus on black-and-grey realism? Was that always the goal or did it take you a while to find your style?

I started with heavy blackwork, i.e. blackening a lot of surface, because I personally liked it. Over time, this became too monotonous for me and mostly you have to cover something with blackwork. But I wanted to create something new and then moved in the direction of sketchwork. The blackwork became less and less and my sketchworks became more and more realistic. The challenge to take on a realism project became more and more exciting. That evolved over the years.

What are some of the most important elements to consider when working in black-and-grey?

For me personally, the right setting is crucial, which means that the mixing ratio of the colors is always the same to create the best possible tattoo. For realism projects, the expectation is clear, you want the image of what you see, with the right shadows, wrinkles or surface textures. For this, all parameters must be right, so that it does not become a matter of luck.

Do you have specific characters or motifs you like to tattoo the most?

When I think of my last Wannados, it was mostly hip-hop artists. For example, Eminem as a central figure in a certain setting or even Tupac. What I also always like to tattoo are human eyes, supposedly always somehow the same, but then each is individual.

How do you take a portrait that has been done countless times and make it your own?

If possible I take less frequently used images, if not I change the things I can influence, like the background, accessories or add some lettering.This makes my work unique.

What is your favorite thing about being part of the tattoo community?

I am fortunate to be part of a group of people who love their job. There have been very few days when I would have preferred to have time off instead of going to work since I became a tattoo artist. The community lives diversity, is really tolerant and offers a place for everyone. We inspire each other and incidentally make a real difference to our clients. Tattoos can be funny, serious or healing, and I’m a part of that. I love it.

Where do you hope tattooing will take you a few years from now?

This question is tricky, because life shows again and again that it comes differently than planned, fortunately in my case so far. In any case, I hope to continue to make people happy with my art in the future and they come from all over the world for a tattoo of me. A return to a formal job I can not imagine with the best will.