Ramon Nieves: The surrealist tattoo artist transforms human skin into true works of art.

Ramon Nieves recalls with precision the moment when his journey into the art of tattooing began to take shape. The Venezuelan was 16 years old when he first touched a tattoo machine. His friends were beginning to experiment with this artistic expression, and inevitably, his curiosity was awakened.

Although the family and social environment at the time carried taboos about this practice, Ramon found the support he needed to explore this passion.

At 18, with his first machines and alongside a friend who shared his interest, he entered that captivating world.

The learning process, marked by his desire to constantly improve, for him “makes the difference between tattooing with purpose, tattooing literally for improvement, and not just doing it for money.”

A Tattoo Artist

Today, Ramon sees himself not only as a man practicing this trade, but as a tattoo artist who seeks to tell stories and transform ideas into works that transcend the skin, an art that, as he himself says, “cannot be a hobby; it requires discipline, love, and commitment.”

The young man, who will celebrate 12 years in this full-time profession in January 2025, explains the difference between the two. “A shop tattoo artist will probably do infinity symbols, stars, names, and make sure it looks good.”

A tattoo artist, on the other hand, must tell stories and project ideas with art. “You have to take the concept and, feeling comfortable as an artist, bring that idea the client has in their head to their skin,” he explains. For him, this is when the game changes, because those who seek him out “are trusting that you will do a great job,” especially when it comes to surrealist tattoos, his specialty.

This style of tattooing is inspired by the artistic movement of the same name, which seeks to depict images outside of logical reality, while exploring the subconscious, dreams, and fantasies. These tattoos often combine seemingly disconnected elements to create striking, imaginative, and unique compositions.

The Step-by-Step Process

In addition to years of experience, Ramon follows a unique process to achieve this. First, the potential client, ideally over 25 years old, shares their idea via email, preferably in words. Then, the stories that resonate most with the artist are chosen, and after a meeting that involves brainstorming and designing the proposal, the sessions begin, which are relative.

“Creating a sleeve, for example, depends on the design, the person’s build, and their endurance. It can range from 8 to 15 sessions,” he explains. Nieves, who works in a studio in New York, says that the cost also varies. Per session, “in Chile, the charge was 450,000 Chilean pesos, around $400; in certain places in Europe, it ranges from 800 euros (about $830), and in certain places in the United States, it ranges from $1,500 to $2,500.”

From Black and Grey to Color

Throughout his career, he has evolved from black and grey tattoos to color work. “Black and grey is my main love. It’s what visually attracts me, and I feel comfortable with the results of achieving the gradations; I think it’s something I wouldn’t stop doing,” he says.

However, the complexity of studying the color wheel is both impressive and fun for him. “It takes me out of my comfort zone, it works in layers, and for me, it’s like painting in oil, which I love.”

For Ramon, the complexity lies in the meticulous process of working layer by layer on the skin, similar to painting a wall, he says. Each layer adds depth, details, and cleanliness to the design, ensuring a solid and lasting result over the years. This approach demands patience and precision. Each session allows for correcting imperfections and strengthening the visual impact of the tattoo.

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