Born in Saint Petersburg, Pavel turbo already has 10 years in the business behind him. At the age of 34, it is from Istanbul in Turkey, where he has taken refuge from the horrors of the war in Ukraine, that he talks to us about his passion for neo-traditional.
How long have you lived in Istanbul ?
I have been living in Istanbul for over a year now. Since the war started, I've been here. Even before this, I wanted to move out of Russia, but now I have no doubts left. Now I'm based in Turkey, but I travel from here to other countries.
Have you always drawn?
My parents say that I was drawing from a very early age. I don't remember exactly when I started showing an interest in drawing. I attended classes even before school. However, I only began pursuing drawing professionally in 2016, by which time I had been a tattoo artist for about three years.
What are your graphic references ?
I grew up in the 1990s, which was a time of awesome cartoons. Disney shows and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, as well as Spider-Man, were popular. We didn't have many comics in Russia; we watched cartoons instead. And, of course, there were various Japanese anime. I guess these cartoons shaped my visual universe. Well, movies played a big role too.
Do you have other influences ?
Absolutely, movies and music videos played a significant role. I really love the aesthetics of the 1980s. It was a time of the coolest design – from various gadgets and clothing to interiors. The visual style in movies and music videos was remarkable. However, the 1990s also had a profound influence. It was the era of MTV with all those amazing music videos. And, of course, video games were a big part of it. I started playing them from the days of 8-bit consoles and continue to play to this day.
Any other influences?
I'm a big fan of the worlds created by J.R.R. Tolkien, Hayao Miyazaki, and H.P. Lovecraft. There's a lack of good Lovecraftian films, but there are examples in the gaming industry. Speaking of games, the "Souls" series is a prime example, with incredible design and heavy references to Kentaro Miura's "Berserk." When it comes to movies and their visual aspects, I really admire Guillermo del Toro. By the way, I believe he would have succeeded in adapting Lovecraft's works to the screen.
How did tattooing come into your life?
I’ve become interested in tattooing when I got my second tattoo by a very famous and experienced tattoo artist. His skills and experience inspired me. I discovered for myself that tattooing might be a real profession! Nowadays everybody works with wireless tattoo machines but back then he worked with a huge amount of equipment, metal stuff, wires and big cases to sanitize tools! I got very lucky and he agreed to pass on his knowledge to me. Since then it’s my life’s work. I’ve always liked traditional American tattoo and at the beginning of my path I practiced a lot in drawings of classical designs.
New-school or neo-traditional?
I practice "Neo-Traditional" style. This style is often confused with "New School," but they are different in essence. In "Neo-Traditional," you usually find realistic forms, proportions, and perspectives. In New School, these elements are often distorted to fit the style. Characters there are often more cartoonish or heavily stylized compared to Neo-Traditional. I started with American Traditional tattooing. Then, for a while, I didn't stick to any specific style, but I designed each piece myself. Gradually, I transitioned to Neo-Traditional because it offers much more potential and creative freedom for realizing artistic ambitions. I can depict almost anything. There are hardly any boundaries. I'm fortunate with my clients; their requests have given me a very diverse portfolio. After all, some of my colleagues have become confined to just one or two themes. It's difficult for me to say where I'm heading; my style evolves and transforms with each passing year. I hope it will become more recognizable and captivating over time
What are the points you focus on the most when you start a new piece?
I strive to emphasize the body's dynamics as much as possible, to integrate my design into the client's body. Highlighting the movement of muscles is important to me. Because if a tattoo doesn't flow with the body, it will be subpar, even if done with technical precision. That's my viewpoint.
Technically, can you tell us about the way you shape the light in your work?
Well, I follow some pretty academic methods. To start, I set up the general lighting and shadows on the design. Like, if it's a sleeve, for instance, I make sure everything gets lit up from the same angle. Then, I use this color palette I've been fine-tuning over a bunch of years. All the colors in there work together like a charm and give my pieces that recognizable touch. And almost every time, I throw in a bold highlight to give some extra depth and contrast. So, yeah, my approach is pretty straightforward
How do you preserve your creativity?
I’m inspired by my life, by what I had and have now. My family is an inspiration as well for sure. I adore the 1980’s although I was born at the very end of it. I’m inspired by my friends and colleagues. When you’re surrounded by professionals you just must move forward and develop. It’s a circle of inspiration. And, of course, I must mention travelling. I always choose travelling if I have such opportunity, it gives you the better feeling of life.
Do you have other means of artistic expression?
I have a musical background. I graduated from a music school where I studied the accordion. Recently, I've also acquired a kalimba and I'm gradually learning how to play it. I've never really showcased this side, but I find it quite fascinating for myself.
Which tattoo artists do you watch the work?
I keep up with the coolest folks in various traditional styles, mostly. In Japanese, Neo-Traditional, American Traditional, you know. And those who are doing something really unique. I won't name names, but they easily add up to over a hundred. + IG : @turbo.pavel
