I'm Levgen Knysh. I create custom tattoos that combine realistic detail, vivid colors, and dramatic lighting. From large-scale compositions to smaller pieces, my goal is to make every tattoo feel alive.
Color Realism Tattoo Artist
in Los Angeles
Explore My Work
Levgen
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07
Selected Works
Illustrated Realism,
Bold Colors,
and Dynamic Light
Bold Colors,
and Dynamic Light
Explore my tattoo portfolio, featuring realistic portraits, skulls, animals, and original compositions. I use contrast, light, and color to bring depth and energy to every piece.
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About Me
The Creative Adult
is the Child Who Survived
I've always been drawn to images that tell a story. In my tattoos, I combine realistic details with an illustrative approach, using strong contrast, saturated colors, and dramatic lighting.
Fire and glowing effects have become a recognizable part of my work, but every composition starts with an idea. I want the different elements to belong together, rather than simply look impressive on their own.
Fire and glowing effects have become a recognizable part of my work, but every composition starts with an idea. I want the different elements to belong together, rather than simply look impressive on their own.
More About Me
Participant, Jury Member,
and Workshop Host
and Workshop Host
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07
tattoo conventions
01
International Competitor
Tattoo conventions have been a big part of my career. They give me the chance to challenge myself, work alongside other artists, and see how far I can push my ideas. Some of my most memorable projects have come from these events.
02
Competition Judge
I've also had the opportunity to judge tattoo competitions. It's a different way to look at the work, focusing on composition, technique, execution, and the decisions behind each piece.
Explore My Awards
03
Educator and Mentor
I share my experience with other tattoo artists through workshops, seminars, and educational projects. My teaching covers artistic techniques, design, and the practical side of building a career in tattooing.
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SHOP
My Art Beyond Tattoos
I’ve created a collection of merchandise, original artwork, and resources for tattoo artists. Some are inspired by my tattoos, while others come from ideas I wanted to explore outside the studio.
Take a look around. You might find something you like.
Take a look around. You might find something you like.
You can also purchase my original courses.
Skull Reference Packs for Tattoo Artists (1 + 2 + bonus)
I created these reference packs to help artists study how light changes the shape, depth, and character of a skull.
The collection includes hundreds of high-resolution photographs, different lighting setups, and a bonus selection of fire references I use in my own designs.
Go to Patreon The collection includes hundreds of high-resolution photographs, different lighting setups, and a bonus selection of fire references I use in my own designs.
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Reviews
What My Clients and Fellow Artists Say
One of the best things about my work is seeing someone come back for another tattoo, sometimes years after the first session.
I’m grateful to the people who trust me with their ideas, and to the artists I’ve had the chance to work with and teach.
I’m grateful to the people who trust me with their ideas, and to the artists I’ve had the chance to work with and teach.
Client
The Best and Worst Day of my Life! Thanks to
@levgenknysh for giving me this AMAZING...
@levgenknysh for giving me this AMAZING...
Read Full Review
@cloto.tattoos
ARTIST
Awesome experience at @levgens.is seminar last
week. Such extraordinary talented and ...
week. Such extraordinary talented and ...
Read Full Review
@lonoposejdona
Client
Finally got my next super safe session. Next part of
myright full sleeve is done...
myright full sleeve is done...
Read Full Review
@artur_szpilka
client
And so, while #tattooingdaily at ArtLine and
having avoided the needle myself for 16 years ...
having avoided the needle myself for 16 years ...
Read Full Review
Lucas Graciano
Client
Levgen has been working on a LotR sleeve for me, over the last couple of years. We’re about 6 sessions ...
Read Full Review
Jen Black
CLIENT
Levgen is simply the best. He is insanely talented and is a master at bringing your idea to life ...
Read Full Review
@allhalealanna
The Best and Worst Day of my Life! Thanks to
@levgenknysh for giving me this AMAZING
Halloween Zombie piece! 15 hrs was a crazy ride,
but worth every second.
@levgenknysh for giving me this AMAZING
Halloween Zombie piece! 15 hrs was a crazy ride,
but worth every second.
@cloto.tattoos
Awesome experience at @levgens.is seminar last
week. Such extraordinary talented and humble
artist. Thank you for everything. I definitely
recommend all of you to pay a visit to him
@levgenknysh and thanks @alicedoll_tattoo for
the beautiful pics
week. Such extraordinary talented and humble
artist. Thank you for everything. I definitely
recommend all of you to pay a visit to him
@levgenknysh and thanks @alicedoll_tattoo for
the beautiful pics
@lonoposejdona
Finally got my next super safe session. Next part of
myright full sleeve is done. This time mythology
and warm colors. As always it's been a pleasure
beeing tattooed by my friend @levgenknysh! Do
you like tattoos with cool contrasts and more
realistic work? If yes, then go and check out his
artworks!
myright full sleeve is done. This time mythology
and warm colors. As always it's been a pleasure
beeing tattooed by my friend @levgenknysh! Do
you like tattoos with cool contrasts and more
realistic work? If yes, then go and check out his
artworks!
@artur_szpilka
And so, while #tattooingdaily at ArtLine and
having avoided the needle myself for 16 years, it finally caught up with me
I decided to book an appointment with the amazing
tattoo artist @levgenknysh to get a
tattoo with a tattoo-themed design. The result of the
tattoo machine exceeded my expectations. Great
technique, incredible artist. Thank you, Levgen, for
the great work.
Original:
I tak oto, #tatuująccodziennie gości ArtLine a
samemu omijając igłę przez 16 lat, dopadło i mnie
Postanowiłem umówić się do świetnego
tatuażysty@levgenknyshaby wykonałna mnie
tatuaż z motywem tatuatorskim. Efekt maszynki do
tatuażu przerósł moje oczekiwania. Wspaniały
warsztat, niesamowityartysta. Dziękuje Levgen za
świetną pracę.
having avoided the needle myself for 16 years, it finally caught up with me
I decided to book an appointment with the amazing
tattoo artist @levgenknysh to get a
tattoo with a tattoo-themed design. The result of the
tattoo machine exceeded my expectations. Great
technique, incredible artist. Thank you, Levgen, for
the great work.
Original:
I tak oto, #tatuująccodziennie gości ArtLine a
samemu omijając igłę przez 16 lat, dopadło i mnie
Postanowiłem umówić się do świetnego
tatuażysty@levgenknyshaby wykonałna mnie
tatuaż z motywem tatuatorskim. Efekt maszynki do
tatuażu przerósł moje oczekiwania. Wspaniały
warsztat, niesamowityartysta. Dziękuje Levgen za
świetną pracę.
Lucas Graciano
Levgen has been working on a LotR sleeve for me, over the last couple of years. We’re about 6 sessions in with another 2-3 to go. His work is some of the best you’ll find out there. I get compliments on the tattoo, wherever I go. I highly recommend Levgen as an artist and a quality guy. He’s easy to spend long days with and he is a master of his craft.
Jen Black
Levgen is simply the best. He is insanely talented and is a master at bringing your idea to life. His light touch, how fast he works and his overall professionalism is unmatched. We’re currently in the middle of my leg sleeve journey and I can’t tell you how many complements I receive on the daily.
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The Artist’s Journal
Tattoos, Collaborations, Conventions, and Everything
in Between
in Between
There’s a lot more to tattooing than the finished piece. I use this journal to share the stories behind my work, collaborations with other artists, convention experiences, and the ideas that keep me experimenting.
Some stories are about winning awards. Others are about things that didn’t go as planned. Both are worth sharing.
Some stories are about winning awards. Others are about things that didn’t go as planned. Both are worth sharing.
Go to Blog
This is a crime story we turned into ink.
And last weekend we continued the story, but this time we did the collab in Paris, right where the Louvre is. So we took that “stolen” Mona Lisa… and turned it into a tattoo stencil.
READ
Visual content still matters.
Together with professional videographer We recorded 2 videos packed with everything you need to start shooting better.
READ
Building the next step of The Golffee Project.
Made in Los Angeles, fueled by passion for coffee, design,
and cars.
and cars.
READ
This is a crime story
we turned into ink 😄
we turned into ink 😄
A lot of tattoos today are just random images put together, they look cool, but there’s no story behind them. @zakharovtattoo @butenko_serik and I @levgenknysh wanted the opposite: one image, one world, a whole plot hidden inside.
So, half a year ago, the three of us did a collab where we literally tattooed ourselves as three dumb thieves in the Louvre. Someone ‘ordered' us to steal the Mona Lisa… and we were so clueless that we cut Mona Lisa out with scissors and left the actual painting behind. One guy cutting, one guy carrying the rolled-up Mona Lisa, and the third one on lookout.
And last weekend we continued the story, but this time we did the collab in Paris, right where the Louvre is. So we took that "stolen" Mona Lisa… and turned it into a tattoo stencil.
In the new piece you’ll see a tattoo artist inside the @museelouvre, tattooing Mona Lisa on a girl’s back, like that’s the real reason the theft happened.
And we hid a lot of Easter eggs: the broken painting on the wall, the ‘spirits' of other artworks wearing stolen jewelry, orange safety cones like a crime scene… and a tiny note on the belt that says ‘Password: Louvre'.
That’s why I love collaborations, not just mixing styles, but building a story. Tell me… did you catch the details?
So, half a year ago, the three of us did a collab where we literally tattooed ourselves as three dumb thieves in the Louvre. Someone ‘ordered' us to steal the Mona Lisa… and we were so clueless that we cut Mona Lisa out with scissors and left the actual painting behind. One guy cutting, one guy carrying the rolled-up Mona Lisa, and the third one on lookout.
And last weekend we continued the story, but this time we did the collab in Paris, right where the Louvre is. So we took that "stolen" Mona Lisa… and turned it into a tattoo stencil.
In the new piece you’ll see a tattoo artist inside the @museelouvre, tattooing Mona Lisa on a girl’s back, like that’s the real reason the theft happened.
And we hid a lot of Easter eggs: the broken painting on the wall, the ‘spirits' of other artworks wearing stolen jewelry, orange safety cones like a crime scene… and a tiny note on the belt that says ‘Password: Louvre'.
That’s why I love collaborations, not just mixing styles, but building a story. Tell me… did you catch the details?
🎥 We just dropped a new camera & light basics course
for tattoo artists!
for tattoo artists!
Together with pro videographer Simon, we break down everything about camera settings, lighting, and shooting techniques, so your tattoos look amazing on social media.
This Reels includes answers to the most common questions
Want the full course? Check the link in my bio.
#tattoovideo #tattoophotography #tattooartisteducation #tattoocourse #tattooeducation
This Reels includes answers to the most common questions
Want the full course? Check the link in my bio.
#tattoovideo #tattoophotography #tattooartisteducation #tattoocourse #tattooeducation
uilding the next step of The Golffee Project ☕🚗
Inspired by European coffee culture and car enthusiasm, we started designing a custom setup for my Golf GTI, a full coffee station right in the trunk.
Here’s the first mockup of the frame that will hold the espresso machine and gear. It’s just the beginning…
Made in Los Angeles, fueled by passion for coffee, design, and cars. Stay tuned🔥
I have a second Instagram page @thegolffee where I show a different side of myself as a car and coffee enthusiast. Check it out if these interests align with yours.
Here’s the first mockup of the frame that will hold the espresso machine and gear. It’s just the beginning…
Made in Los Angeles, fueled by passion for coffee, design, and cars. Stay tuned🔥
I have a second Instagram page @thegolffee where I show a different side of myself as a car and coffee enthusiast. Check it out if these interests align with yours.