InkedMag
  • Articles
    • Top Stories
    • Culture
    • Art
    • Music
    • Digital Cover
    • Events
  • Shop
    • Subscriptions
    • InkedShop
  • Tattoo Shops
  • INKED COVER GIRL
  • Company
    • About
    • Contact
    • SUBSCRIPTION
    • Newsletter
    • Media Kit
  • Policies
    • DMCA
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms & Conditions
InkedMag
  • Top Stories
  • Culture
  • Art
  • Music
  • Events
  • Store
  • Digital Cover
  • INKED COVER GIRL
  • Tattoo Shops

Newsletter

Inked newsletter

"*" indicates required fields

This field is hidden when viewing the form

Next Steps: Sync an Email Add-On

Inked Mag Staff

July 23rd, 2021

Share Now
0
0
0

Good Things Come in Small Tattoos

Tattoo artist Dokhwa on discovering tattooing, her influences and celebrity portraits.

In South Korea, tattooing is an illegal art form. In spite of this, there are thousands of thriving tattooers living throughout the country. Many of these tattooers have made a splash not just in their home country, but thanks to social media, in the international tattoo scene as well. One of these rising stars is Dokhwa, who specializes in micro realism tattoos. Dokhwa began her tattoo career just a few short years ago and she’s already created some of the best pieces in the burgeoning genre. She expertly executes impressive ink on a nearly impossible scale. Her work ranges from celebrity portraits to recreations of her client’s cherished pets to homages to her favorite snacks. We sat down with Dokhwa to learn more about her humble tattoo beginnings, to discover how she built her signature style, and to understand some of the most challenging aspects of creating micro realistic works of art.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DOKHWA (@lookatthe_dokhwa)

When did you become interested in tattooing?

I discovered tattooing and thought to myself, “This looks really fun and I’m going to try it.”

What went through your mind when you were getting tattooed for the first time?

I was so amazed by it, it was incredible.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DOKHWA (@lookatthe_dokhwa)

How is tattooing viewed in South Korea?

Because it’s still illegal, it’s viewed extremely differently in Korea than in other countries. A lot of people still don’t see [tattooing] as a good thing. If you have a lot of tattoos, more conservative people will have an opinion about it.

How does someone become a tattooer in South Korea?

They have a tattoo academy where you can take classes. However, I had a mentor.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DOKHWA (@lookatthe_dokhwa)

How did you develop your tattoo style?

I’ve been making art for awhile and while I’ve been doing that, I was experimenting with a lot of different things. I’ve had the most fun with realism, so I’ve been experimenting with that. I’m constantly studying and trying to get better at it.

Who are some tattoo artists that you admire?

There’s this tattooer named Oozy. When I started tattooing, he’s someone that I really looked up to.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DOKHWA (@lookatthe_dokhwa)

What are some of the most challenging parts about doing micro realism?

I do a lot of portraits and I think faces are the hardest.

What are your favorite parts of micro realism tattooing?

For me, small tattoos are super detailed and this can be really difficult. But once they’re done, it’s really satisfying to see all the details come alive on such a small scale.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DOKHWA (@lookatthe_dokhwa)

What’s your tattoo process?

Because I do mostly portraits, I’m really focused on the accurate details of the piece when I’m making the design. That way, I can make sure the portrait comes out exactly how I want it to.

Do you prefer tattooing in color or black-and-grey?

I have more fun with color.

What are some of your favorite subjects to tattoo?

I love doing portraits of celebrities. Especially when the portrait comes out exactly like the celebrity, that’s really satisfying.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DOKHWA (@lookatthe_dokhwa)

Editor's Picks

Cervena Fox Culture
Inked Girl of the Month: Cervena Fox Is Lighting Up the Stage and the Tattoo World

This July, Inked is proud to spotlight the fierce, fiery, and fabulously inked Cervena Fox, a multitalented powerhouse who carved out her own lane in both the tattoo and burlesque scenes. A British-born artist now living in Las Vegas, Cervena is a full-time burlesque and fire performer, tattoo artist, and model.

Culture
Reviving the Soul of Tattooing in the Heart of Barcelona

Bhorn Tattoo & Design is rooted in tradition and built for what’s next.

Culture
10 Spellbinding “Harry Potter” Tattoos That Every Witch, Wizard, and Muggle Will Want ASAP

Ready to ink your Potterhead pride? Whether you’re Team Gryffindor or secretly rooting for the Dark Arts (no judgment!), these magical “Harry Potter” tattoo ideas will have you booking a trip to the nearest tattoo parlor faster than you can say “Alohomora!”

More From News Content

Cervena Fox
Inked Girl of the Month: Cervena Fox Is Lighting Up the Stage and the Tattoo World
July 1, 2025
Reviving the Soul of Tattooing in the Heart of Barcelona
June 27, 2025
Art in a Bottle: The Unconventional World of Orin Swift
June 24, 2025
Inked Girl of the Month: Bella. Gaming, Gym Life, and Full-Body Ink
June 1, 2025
Gifts for the Dad Who’d Never Wear a Tie
May 27, 2025

Recommended For You

INKED Recommends
Labubu Tattoos: The Toy Craze Taking Over Tattoo Culture
Artist Spotlight
The Masterful Markus Klinko
Events
Ink on the Riviera: Tattoos Take the Spotlight at Cannes 2025
Artist Spotlight
Reka Nyari – Body Language
InkedMagCover
InkedMag

QUICK LINKS

  • Top Stories
  • Culture
  • Art
  • Music
  • Events
  • Store
  • Tattoo Shops
  • ABOUT
  • CONTACT
  • SUBSCRIPTION
  • INKED COVER GIRL
  • MEDIA KIT
  • DMCA
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • TERMS & CONDITIONS

Input your search keywords and press Enter.