Berlin-based tattoo artist Mark Halbstark is unlike many other tattoo artists. Not only is his tattoo style unique to him, his methodology and idealism around creating tattoos is vastly different from the norm. Halbstark works by the simple formula; “What you give is what you get”, and works at creating body art works that are artistic and include all the flaws and flavour of hand-drawn designs. He says his tattoos are meant to be fun, without a deeper meaning or symbolism hidden within the design.
Halbstark combines realism and sketch styles in his tattoos. Although these two styles are very different, Halbstark successfully combines realistic images with the figurative and abstract nature of hand-drawn designs. Even though it’s probably unintentional, there’s an interesting symbolism in his style itself; by combining reality (in the form of realistic sections of the design) with fantasy (the abstract, sketchy sections) Halbstark has unwittingly created a meaningful relationship between fantasy and fact.
You can see more of Mark Halbstark’s tattoos and find his contact details on his Instagram account.
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- Mark Halbstark combines styles and symbolism in this abstract and surreal tattoo of a whale with human jaws. Tattoo artist Mark Halbstark lives in Berlin, one of the street art capitals of the world. The whale character in this design reflects the influence of graffiti on the styles of artists who operate in Berlin. This tattoo is a fusion of realism, sketching styles, cartoonism and graffiti – proof that this artist has it in him to work in any style that pleases him.
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- This skull flower tattoo by Mark Halbstark has all the textures and appealing imperfections of a hand drawn design
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- Tattoo artist Mark Halbstark combines abstract ideas with real world elements in this whale tattoo
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- A brain burger is the skull in this skull and crossbone tattoo by Mark Halbstark
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- A sketchy flower opens to reveal a human mouth at its heart in this tattoo by Mark Halbstark
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- Feed me Seymour! Berlin tattooist Mark Halbstark creates a humorous carnivorous plant for this tattoo that features different art styles
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- Tattoo artist Mark Halbstark tattoos an unusual giraffe in his unusual artistic style
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- Clients show off their fun and funky palm tattoos by German tattoo artist Mark Halbstark
