Specialising in newschool, Russian tattoo artist Azat, originally from the Urals, enjoys a balanced life between tattoos and van life at the age of 34. But beware of appearances, behind this relaxed and cool attitude of the travelling tattooist lies a rigorous and perfectionist technician.
Hello Azat, how did you get into newschool?
When I started tattooing, most of the artists around me had no idea that you could make tattoos in one style. It was still about copying images onto the skin. Everything changed when I saw Victor Chill's work. It was incredible, unparalleled, his designs were crazy, with believable emotions. I was so impressed that I started to try to translate this approach into my sketches, to do what I liked, without any lens or frame. I still do it that way today.
So it was the great creative freedom that you liked about this style?
Yes, I love the fact that I can work without limits and that everything is based on my imagination. I like it even more because in tattooing, working with the body, you have to blend in with the image. I also like the fact that tattoos are personalised, they must have a value. This can be expressed in different ways. By the memories that people put in them, as far as I am concerned as an artist, I bring the creation of a unique design.
How do you proceed with your client?
My main goal is to make them happy with a perfect tattoo. In 90% of the cases I meet with a client to discuss all the details of the design and make a preliminary sketch. I need to see the person, talk to them and understand what features and character to give the tattoo, what colours I should use. For both of our sakes, it is important to understand each other before we start.
What world do you draw your inspiration from?
I like all this old-school stuff from video games and things from my childhood. Back then, my school notebooks were full of cars and motorbikes. I would draw a cube and then, like a sculptor, I would draw a picture out of it. I always liked the theme of cars and motorbikes. I also like the Japanese style of tattooing, they have achieved a great understanding of what they were doing and that is certainly an inspiration to me.
Has drawing mechanics, cars and bikes helped structure your drawings?
The problem is that when you have to draw something with a 3D effect, you have to think in 3D. It's quite difficult at first. For example, if you want to make the right angle of the human body, you first have to draw a rectangular box and then cut out several areas that correspond to the elements of the human body before moving on to its proportions. This is a very popular technique that works 100% and intuitively when I was a kid I practiced it a lot, sitting at the back of the classroom.
What makes a good tattoo for you?
In my opinion, there are four main points: 1. The technique. The contours must be smooth and precise, the colouring dense and the shading soft. 2. The graphic alphabet. No one wants lettering with grammatical errors, so the same goes for graphic design knowledge. 3. Design and charisma. There must be an idea and emotions in the image. 4. Anatomy. A body has its own shape and muscle pattern, it has static and dynamic areas. In music, all the sounds work together, reinforcing and accentuating each other to create a single composition. So the silhouettes and lines of the tattoo must be in harmony with the body.
Nature is a theme that you seem to like to deal with in particular, can you tell us about it?
Yes, animals are my favourite subject. I don't think there's anything new here, people have always depicted animals on cave walls and on their bodies - tattoos of lions and tigers are always a popular subject, if you know what I mean. But if the postures of the animals are not only dynamic, the artist has the opportunity to place them as effectively as possible. The Japanese understood this a long time ago, just look at the postures of their tigers and dragons. So I can use all this in my work when I draw an animal.
You've been a passionate van traveller for a long time?
Oh yes, vanlife has changed my life, that feeling of driving an old minivan, playing Johnny Cash with my wife and dog next to me, I love it. That's what brings all my passions together: driving; spending time outside: cooking over the fire; making things with your own hands and living your time so you're not tempted to waste it on social media.
Are there any countries you remember better than others?
In general, I feel good everywhere. I like to visit new places. I travel a lot in Europe. Last year I went to Barcelona for the first time and visited Victor Chill. I really liked this city! Its atmosphere mixing skateboard and graffiti cultures is incredible.
You mentioned Victor Chill as one of your main influences, are there other tattoo artists you look at?
I try not to be influenced by another tattoo artist's style so I prefer to be inspired by the work of digital and street art artists. So let me give you some people outside the tattoo sphere: 1 - Kim Jung Gi (@kimjunggius), who left us last year, but his work lives on and inspires. 2- Mossy Giant (@mossygiant), creates an incredible atmosphere in his works. 3- HRVB (@hrvbtheweird) is a must see. 4- Jovanny (@jovanny_brainmash), a leading Russian artist. 5- Abys (@abys_osmoz), an artist very close to newschool tattooing. + IG : delai_dzen
