CURATED BY JESSE SMITH
About the List
Jesse Smith’s curated selection, The Top Illustrators in Tattooing, honors the Artists whose ideas leap straight from imagination to ink. Jesse handpicked each name on this list for their mastery of illustration, the kind that’s not bound by style, but driven by vision, energy, and mark-making that’s unmistakably their own. From bold cartoon-inspired designs to intricate dark art compositions, this list spans the broad terrain of tattoo illustration. But what unites them all is a deep-rooted love for drawing. These are the Artists who create not just with skill, but with soul; those who’ve been sketching since childhood, and who now carry that same passion into every line they lay down. Whether you're into new school, dark art, illustrative realism, or styles that defy definition entirely, Jesse's list offers a treasure trove of talent. It’s a tribute to originality in its rawest form.
About Jesse Smith
Jesse Smith is a tattoo Artist, shop owner, convention organizer, product creator, and lifelong illustrator. Based in Richmond, Virginia, he owns Loose Screw Tattoo and co-hosts the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Convention - one of the longest-running tattoo festivals in the world. With nearly three decades in the industry, Jesse has become a staple in the tattoo scene not only for his surreal new school work but also for his unwavering commitment to pure, unfiltered creativity. He is also the founder of Method Tattoo System, a modular ink organization tool, and One Trick Pony, a brand showcasing his original artwork on apparel, skateboards, and more. From sketchbooks filled since he was 12 to a tattoo career launched in 1998, Jesse’s path has always been fueled by a deep love for drawing. That same love guides his curation today. This list reflects the core of Jesse’s creative life: art that flows from the brain to the paper and from the heart to the skin.
“Every Artist on this list is a pure illustrator. You can see their hands in every line.” -Jesse Smith
“Illustration has always been a pillar for me. I’ve been drawing my entire life.” -Jesse Smith
“It wasn’t about style - it was about mark-making, storytelling, and originality.” -Jesse Smith
Jesse selected each Artist based on the following:
- Pure Illustration – Artists with a lifelong dedication to drawing and a passion for creating original imagery from scratch.
- Creative Signature – Work that carries a distinctive hand - unique lines, movement, compositions, and voice.
- Diverse Styles, Unified Vision – From dark art to new school to illustrative realism, each Artist brings something fresh while honoring the craft of drawing.
- Non-Reproductive Approach – Artists who invent, adapt, and evolve their own styles.
The Top Illustrators in Tattooing
Curated by Jesse Smith
Richmond
Book NowNick Mitchell
Rogers
Book NowChance Wallace
Richmond
Book NowJesse Smith
Phoenix
Book NowPicasso Dular
Silver Spring
Book NowJoshua Scott
Omaha
Jake Parsons
Manassass
Glue
Arlington
Kelly Gormley
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