Hey, I’m Lottie

Welcome! I’m a realism tattoo artist specialising in vibrant colour as well as black and grey work. I’ve been tattooing since 2021 and I am based at Mikan Tattoo Studio, Southampton

Art has always been a huge part of my life, and I hold a degree in Graphic Design. This background gives me a strong visual foundation, helping me approach tattooing with a thoughtful eye for composition, colour, and detail. Tattooing became the perfect way to bring my creativity to life and turn a lifelong passion into a career.

For me, tattooing is about much more than creating something beautiful on the skin. It’s a collaborative journey — taking something meaningful to you and working together to design a piece that complements your body and can be worn with confidence and pride.

I’m a huge lover of nature and animals, and you’ll often see these influences woven into my work. That said, I’m always open to new ideas and styles, and I love working with clients to bring their vision to life.
If you’d like to start your tattoo journey with me, please enquire using the booking form.

STYLES I TATTOO

Below is a selection of tattoo styles that I specialise in, shown through photographs of my own work. For my most recent pieces and ongoing updates, please follow me on my social media platforms.

Colour realism black jaguar tattoo with flowers on upper arm

COLOUR REALISM

Colour realism allows me to create bold, vibrant tattoos with strong contrast and depth. I love pulling out the full range of tones and fine details from a reference photograph, bringing the image to life on the skin.

I often use darker elements or black backgrounds to enhance contrast, which helps the colours really stand out and “pop.” Please note that colour realism tattoos typically take longer than black and grey pieces, as they require multiple layers and a wider range of pigments to achieve richness, smooth blends, and longevity.

BLACK & GREY

Black and grey realism is a timeless and popular style within the realism world. I love creating highly detailed pieces while maintaining strong contrast through rich blacks and soft grey tones.

I often use opaque greys in the background to create separation and depth, allowing the main subject to stand out from the surrounding black and grey elements. This approach helps achieve a balanced, readable tattoo that ages beautifully over time.

Black and grey realism bear head tattoo on arm

Black and grey realism Joker portrait tattoo on upper arm

Black and grey cabin and forest landscape tattoo on arm

Black and grey dog portrait tattoo on forearm

Black and grey snake tattoo detail on forearm

Black and grey cat eyes tattoo across forearm

MIX OF THE TWO

Mixed colour and black and grey realism is a style I find especially fun and creative to work with. It’s perfect for pieces where a subtle use of colour helps guide the eye through a larger composition, such as a sleeve.

I typically keep the colour palette minimal, often using a single tone or closely related hues — for example, blues or greens — to enhance flow without overpowering the black and grey elements. This creates a balanced, striking result that feels intentional and timeless.

SMALLER TATTOOS

For some, the idea of a large-scale tattoo can feel quite daunting, or you may be looking for something meaningful and symbolic without it feeling overpowering. Smaller realism tattoos are something I really enjoy creating and, while compact in size, they still require time and careful attention.

To ensure longevity, some fine detail may need to be simplified, but adding those small, thoughtful details is essential to bringing the piece to life. My aim is always to balance detail with readability so your tattoo ages beautifully.

Please note, I will always advise on the minimum size a tattoo can be. This is to make sure your tattoo continues to look its best not just now, but in 10 years’ time.

Small colour realism sloth tattoo with hibiscus flower

Colour realism rose tattoo with dragonfly

Small bumblebee tattoo with blue flowers

Before and after cover-up: butterfly replaced with red floral shoulder tattoo

COVER-UPS

Do you have a tattoo you no longer love? Cover-up tattoos can be challenging, but they’re something I genuinely enjoy taking on. There’s nothing more rewarding than giving someone a tattoo they feel confident wearing again.

Cover-ups do require flexibility and realistic expectations. While I always aim to create a piece you truly love, certain compromises are sometimes necessary. This may mean going darker in specific areas or using colour and opaque tones to effectively conceal the existing tattoo. The best results come from working together openly and trusting the process.

If you’re open to collaborating on what’s achievable, please use the booking form.

Please note that in some cases, laser tattoo removal may be recommended before a cover-up can take place. This will always be discussed prior to booking, and any lasered areas must be fully healed — typically at least six weeks — before tattooing.