Black & Grey Realism · Edinburgh

Black & grey realism tattoo artist in Edinburgh — Ink that
looks alive.

Custom black & grey realism, fine detail and full sleeves by Tomek Turlej — tattooing out of Studio XIII Gallery in the heart of Edinburgh.

Book a consultation → View the work

Replies within 2 working days.

10+Years tattooing
RealismSpecialist
Studio XIIIEdinburgh
By bookingConsultation first
Scroll
RealismPortraitsNature & LandscapeAnimalsDark & SurrealJapaneseFull Sleeves
★★★★★
“I recommend this artist, he does very nice tattoos, reliable work.”
Rafał Z. — Google review
★★★★★
“Tomek has amazing talent; his work is incredible, and I love this style. The work is executed with great precision.”
Slawomir O. — Google review
★★★★★
“Was quick with the tattoo and turned out amazing, healing was nice as he gave lots of advice.”
Vic — Google review

◈5.0 average from 3 real client reviews on Google.

Selected work

A portfolio built on patience and detail.

Every piece is drawn bespoke for the person wearing it — a living archive of healed work and pieces fresh from the chair.

By style

What I'm asked for most.

Each style has its own set of problems to solve. These pages go into how I approach them, with the healed work to match.

Portrait tattoos in Edinburgh

Likeness first — eyes, skin texture and the tonal range that keeps a face readable once it has settled.

86 pieces

Animal & wildlife tattoos in Edinburgh

Pets and wildlife built from texture — fur, feathers and the wet catch of light in an eye.

66 pieces

Full sleeve tattoos in Edinburgh

One composition wrapped around an arm, planned as a whole before the first session and built over months.

12 pieces

Nature & landscape tattoos in Edinburgh

Mountains, forests and coastlines, where the distance between ridges does more work than the detail.

28 pieces

Dark & surreal tattoos in Edinburgh

Gothic, horror and surreal composites, where what stays in shadow carries the mood.

27 pieces
Tomek Turlej — sponsored artist at Studio XIII Gallery, Edinburgh Tomek Turlej · Studio XIII Gallery, Edinburgh
The artist

Tomasz “Tomek” Turlej.

For over a decade I've chased one thing in tattooing: making black & grey feel real enough to touch. Skin texture, depth, the way light falls across a portrait — that's where I live. Every project starts with your story and ends with a piece that only makes sense on you.

I tattoo from Studio XIII Gallery in Edinburgh — a studio known across Scotland for large-scale custom work, rated 4.8 on Google by over a thousand clients. Whether it's a single striking portrait or a full sleeve built over several sessions, I take on a small number of pieces at a time so each one gets the attention it deserves.

Black & grey realism Portraits Nature & landscape Full sleeves Cover-ups

— Tomek

How it works

From idea to healed ink.

A calm, considered process — no pressure, no surprises.

01

Enquiry

Send your idea, placement, size and a few reference images through the booking form. The more you share, the better.

02

Consultation

We talk it through — in person or online — refine the concept, and I sketch a custom design made only for you.

03

Deposit & date

A deposit secures your session and comes off the final price. Deposits are non-refundable. We lock in dates that suit your project's size.

04

Session & aftercare

We tattoo in comfortable sessions, and you leave with clear aftercare and a free touch-up if it's ever needed.

Good to know

Frequently asked

How much does a tattoo cost?
Custom realism is priced by the project, based on size, detail and how many sessions it needs. Once I've seen your idea I'll give you an honest estimate or a day rate. Larger work is quoted per full-day session.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Yes — a deposit secures your appointment and is deducted from the final cost of your tattoo. It covers the design time that goes in before we ever pick up a machine. Deposits are non-refundable but can be moved with reasonable notice.
How do I book?
Fill in the booking form with your idea and references. I'll review it personally and get back to you to arrange a consultation and dates. You can also reach me on Instagram @tomekktattoo.
Can you cover up or rework an old tattoo?
Often, yes. Black & grey realism is well suited to cover-ups. Send a clear, well-lit photo of the existing tattoo with your enquiry and I'll tell you honestly what's possible.
Is there an age limit?
You must be 18 or over, with valid photo ID at your appointment. There are no exceptions — it's the law in Scotland.
How should I prepare for my session?
Eat a proper meal beforehand, stay hydrated, get a good night's sleep, and wear comfortable clothing that gives easy access to the area. Avoid alcohol for 24 hours before. Full aftercare guidance is given on the day.
I'm not from Edinburgh — is it worth travelling?
For black & grey realism specifically, most clients say yes — it's a narrow specialism and I regularly work with people travelling in from across Scotland, from West Lothian and Fife to Glasgow. See the travel notes below or get in touch and I'll help you plan around the journey.
Can we do the consultation online if I'm not local?
Yes. Send your idea, placement and reference images through the booking form and we can talk it through by video call before you commit to travelling. The tattoo appointment itself is the only trip you need to make.
How do I choose the best black & grey tattoo artist in Edinburgh?
Look at healed work, not just fresh photos — black & grey realism only proves itself once it settles into the skin. Check that the artist genuinely specialises in the style rather than offering it as one of many, read their Google reviews, and talk to them before committing. My portfolio above includes healed pieces, realism is the only style I work in, and clients rate the work 5.0 on Google — compare it against anyone else you're considering.
Black & grey, black n grey, black and white — what's the difference?
They're the same style under different names: realistic tattooing built entirely from black ink, diluted into soft shades of grey. Some people call it black and white tattooing; artists usually say black & grey (or black n grey) realism. Whatever you call it, it's the specialism this whole portfolio is built on.
Let's make something

Ready to start
your piece?

Tell me your idea and I'll take it from there. Consultations are relaxed and there's no obligation.

Start your booking → DM on Instagram