We aren’t shy in the slightest about our adoration for tattoos (we’ve already gabbed about all of the rad tattoo artists we’ve found across the country as well as some spiffy studios, if you’re itching to get some brand-new designs on your bod).

As it turns out, we managed to touch base with Rhys Sharp, a super-talented tattooist based at CB Ink Tattoo in Brisbane/Magandjin, whose signature colourful and bold designs are inspired by traditional Japanese tattoo styles with a modern touch that include the likes of flowers, dragons, demons, tigers and heaps more.

Rhys was nice enough to give us a glimpse into everything that goes into his workday as a tattooist, from the moment he wakes up to when he heads home from the studio. So, enough of all our yapping – take it away, Rhys!

My name is Rhys. I’m 34 years old and I have been tattooing for eight years. I specialise in neo-Japanese, anime and neo-traditional style. I’m a Sagittarius.

I work out of CB Ink Tattoo and I have worked there since its establishment five years ago. I work alongside my best friend, Jake Jones, who I’ve worked with since the start of my career. 

Here’s what an average day looks like for me:

EARLY MORNING I wake up go and straight to the gym. I come home and go through my daily morning routine: shower, coffee, I get my son ready for school and myself ready for work. I drop him off before I head to CB Ink Tattoo.

MORNING I usually get to work at half-past eight. I unlock the shop and set up my station for the day with everything I'll need for my client. I eat breakfast. I then print out my designs to show my client and head over and chat with the managers before my client arrives. 

 Once the client arrives – usually around 9.30am – I go through their design with them and make any revisions to help make sure that this is the design they’re after. Making adjustments to the design can sometimes take up to one hour. Once the design is finalised, we get it sized up to the client and print out a stencil.

Once the stencil is applied, I leave it for five to 10 minutes just to ensure it’s dry before I begin the actual tattooing process. I’ll tattoo that one piece for usually around one to two hours, and then I’ll take my first break. 

NOON After my first break, I'll head back to the client and attempt to get the piece completely lined or get the background done – depending on the design – and then go for a lunch break. 

AFTERNOON Throughout the session I will converse with my client. Or, if they prefer to have their headphones in and do their own thing, I will chat to my best friend Jake who tattoos in the station next to me. If (and it’s a big if) everything goes smoothly in the day, I usually finish off the tattoo around 2.30 – 3pm.

When we are done, I grab some photos and videos of the piece and get my client wrapped up before explaining the aftercare procedure to them. That includes always having clean hands whenever they touch it, keeping it away from water, moisturising it daily with specific products, avoiding sun exposure and ignoring the itchiness!

EVENING Once I get home, I begin to do my new designs for the next day and rest of the week so I am prepared for any new clients!

And that’s usually what goes into a day working as a tattoo artist.

If you fancy a closer look at Rhys’s nifty work, then peep his Instagram this-a-way or take a gander at his artist profile on CB Ink’s website over here.