Large Scale Black & Grey Realism

One piece.
One story.
Told in full.

Black and grey realism tattoos in East Kilbride & Glasgow

Sleeves, back pieces and portraits, planned at a free consultation by phone or in person and built over several days in East Kilbride. Clients travel from across Scotland and England for this work.

Apply for a consultation

Free to apply. A personal reply within 48 hours. From £700 a day.

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Before You Apply

Who This Studio Is For

This studio is for people planning something large. A full sleeve, a back piece or a portrait that carries real meaning. You want it done properly, you are happy to plan it first and you understand that work at this scale is built over several days.

It is not for small pieces, lettering, matching tattoos, colour work or walk ins. If that is what you are after, this is not the right studio and that is fine. Saying so now saves us both time.

Detail Worth Zooming Into

Realism lives in the shading

Move your cursor over the piece below or tap and hold on mobile to zoom into the kind of detail a client would only see in the chair.

Close up detail of black and grey realism shading

Fresh Ink and Healed Skin

Left is fresh ink. Right is fully healed skin.

Fresh tattoo, just completed The same tattoo fully healed
Fresh
Healed
Portfolio

A Look at the Work

Healed Tattoos

Healed black and grey realism tattoo
Healed black and grey realism tattoo
Healed black and grey realism tattoo
Healed black and grey realism tattoo
Healed black and grey realism tattoo
Healed black and grey realism tattoo

Black and Grey Portraits

Black and grey portrait tattoo
Black and grey portrait tattoo
Black and grey portrait tattoo
Black and grey portrait tattoo
Black and grey portrait tattoo
Black and grey portrait tattoo
View the full portfolio
Follow Along

Latest From Instagram

Work in progress, healed results and studio updates, posted as they happen.

Steven Graham at work in the studio
About Steven

Steven Graham

Steven Graham has always had a natural pull toward art. From a young age, he found a real passion for still life drawing and photography, leaving school with his highest grades in art and continuing to create in his spare time whenever he could.

Determined to turn that passion into a career, Steven tried to enter the tattoo industry through the traditional routes. When opportunities didn't come easily, he took matters into his own hands and began teaching himself, building his skills through persistence, discipline and years of dedication.

Today, after meeting his wife and building a life together, Steven's focus has shifted toward creating something more meaningful, a private studio experience where clients can feel comfortable, relaxed and fully looked after.

Read Steven's full story
Why Clients Choose to Work With Steven

Built on Craft, Not Convention

20 Years' Experience

Two decades of dedicated technique, entirely self taught and built through years of persistence, not a shortcut route into the industry.

Clients Travel for This Work

Clients come from across Scotland and from England for multi day projects, because a piece this size is worth the journey.

Judge on Healed Work

The real test of any realism piece isn't the day it's finished, it's how it looks months and years later. Healed results are shown throughout the portfolio.

"No industry conventions, no competition trophies. The work and the healed results are the only credentials that matter here."

Studio Location

A Private Studio, Purpose Built for Focus

The studio is based in East Kilbride, within easy reach of Glasgow and the wider Central Belt, chosen specifically for the calm, private setting a serious realism project deserves, away from the noise of a high street studio. Clients travel from Glasgow, across Scotland and from England for sessions here.

17 Bowmont Place, East Kilbride, G75 8YG
Tuesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm

Apply for a consultation
How It Works

How the Process Works

1

Apply

Tell me your idea, placement and size through a short application. Applying is free.

2

Review

I read every application myself and reply personally within 48 hours.

3

Consultation & Planning

A free consultation to plan the design, placement, body flow and number of days, with the full cost agreed before anything is booked.

4

Booking & Creation

A £100 deposit for each day secures your dates and comes off the final price. Then the work begins.

Investment

What It Costs

Large scale work starts from £700 a day. A half sleeve is usually two to three days, a full arm five to seven and a back piece eight to twelve. Here is how long a sleeve tattoo really takes. You will know the plan, the number of days and the full cost at your free consultation, before you pay anything.

A £100 deposit secures each day and comes off the final price. Sleeves, legs and back pieces are built as a Guaranteed Realism Project: one fixed fee agreed up front and a healed result guarantee for 12 months.

See how the three project tiers work

Not ready yet?

Start Planning Your Piece

Planning a sleeve or back piece for next year? Claim the free Large Scale Planning Pack:

The diary is booked weeks ahead, so the waitlist hears first. No obligation. Use it when you are ready.

Claim your Planning Pack

Client Reviews

What Clients Say

5.0on Google
★★★★★
“Absolutely amazing artist. After getting a tattoo from Steven I haven’t been anywhere else since now I have nearly half my body tattooed from him and will definitely be getting him to do the rest. I travel from Perth and don’t mind the travel for a stunning outcome after each day. Still look at every single one and think how amazing he has done them. He is so friendly and welcoming and makes you laugh while you sit there in pain 😂 looking forward to my next day sitting.”
Matthew E. Google review
★★★★★
“Steven Graham tattoos is thee place to be! Steven is so professional, patient, kind and respectful when it comes to your experience. He takes his time to come up with amazing designs and details to fit your ideas and is opens and happy to adjust any detail. During this tattoo experience he is all about the client making sure they are okay and comfortable at all points of the day! Honestly couldn’t praise Steven any more and I can’t stop recommending him to everyone. Outstanding guy and amazing work”
Jayne B. Google review
★★★★★
“Absolutely delighted with my tattoo. Stevan was really professional from start to finish and took the time to make sure everything was exactly how it was planned. The quality and detail of the work are class and I’m really happy with how it turned out. Would definitely recommend him to anyone looking to get a tattoo.”
Robbie C. Google review
★★★★★
“I’ve known Steven for a long time and his attention to detail has always been spot on, every new piece of work he takes on is done with care and 10 out of 10 for his artwork, his attention to detail is always on point and i can not praise him enough for his quality and skill in what he does, i recommend Steven graham tattoo to anyone who asks and they also have never been let down, fantastic tattoo artist top level. Recommend highly to anyone looking to have work done.”
Gaz Google review
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Have You Been Tattooed By Steven Before?

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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Exclusively large scale black and grey realism: no walk ins and no colour work. Every piece is custom, planned around one client at a time. More on the specialism here.

Large scale work starts from £700 a day. That is a starting point, not a quote. The full cost depends on the size and detail of the piece and is agreed at your consultation before any deposit is taken.

A full arm takes at least five days. Days are spaced out so your skin heals properly between sessions and you get a clear plan for your piece at the consultation. More on how long a sleeve tattoo takes.

Yes. Clients travel from across Scotland and from England. Each session is a full day, so one trip covers a whole day of work.

There's no contact form and no walk in booking. Every project starts with a short application, apply through the booking page and you'll get a personal, honest reply before anything is scheduled.

Not to apply. The application and consultation are free. Once your plan and full cost are agreed, a £100 deposit for each day secures your dates and comes off the final price.

To get the best results, make sure you're well rested and have eaten before the tattoo session. Avoid alcohol or blood thinners the day before, moisturise the area that is getting tattooed and skip any lotions or oils. Wear comfortable clothing that allows access to the area being tattooed.

If you can avoid it please do, I need to be able to have as much space as possible to have you comfortable while being tattooed.

Considered case by case in a private consultation. Include as much detail as you can about the existing tattoo in your application and you'll get an honest answer on whether a rework is possible before anything is booked.

Just for the first hour. After that, remove any cling film or bandage and wash gently with unscented antibacterial soap, your skin needs to breathe so avoid over using aftercare products. See the full aftercare guide for the complete healing timeline.

Ready to Start Your Piece?

Apply for a consultation and tell me about your idea, placement and size. Not ready yet? Claim £100 credit and join the waitlist.

Apply for a consultation