Portrait Tattoo Artist

Timeless Portrait Tattoos Crafted in Black & Grey Realism.

Jose Torres Tattoos

Recognized as one of the best portrait tattoo artists in North Carolina

More About Portrait Tattoos

Black and grey portrait tattoos are one of my core specialties, alongside surrealism and realism tattoos. I also work in old school and traditional styles, Western and American tattoos, as well as black and grey horror tattoos. I’m deeply passionate about my craft, and I strive to create tattoos that stand the test of time—offering longevity, creativity, and artistic ingenuity. If you’re looking for inspiration, I invite you to explore more of my black and grey portrait tattoo ideas.

These tattoos are often compared to photo realism because they aim to replicate an image or photograph exactly as it appears to the human eye. The goal is to create the visual experience of encountering a lifelike, three-dimensional person, animal, or object on the skin. Portrait tattoos are heavily influenced by the French realism movement of the mid-19th century, where artists focused on depicting real people in natural settings, engaging in everyday life.

If you have a concept in mind or want to explore the possibilities for your portrait tattoo, don’t hesitate to call. I’d be happy to discuss your outline, answer your questions, and help you get started on a piece you’ll be proud to wear forever.

Jose charges $200 an hour and a minimum of 6 hours is required for your portrait tattoo. To book Jose and schedule your portrait tattoo session, you’ll also need to make a $200 deposit (it goes towards your tattoo and locks in your scheduled date). The deposit is non-refundable but if a client needs to reschedule for whatever reason, Jose will do his best to reschedule and pass the deposit over so the deposit is not lost.

The average portrait tattoo takes 8 hours, with some taking 6 hours and some lasting an entire day or more. Every custom tattoo varies in time length depending on the size, design, and location of the portrait tattoo. To book Jose and schedule your portrait tattoo session, you’ll also need to make a $200 deposit (it goes towards your tattoo and locks in your scheduled date). The deposit is non-refundable but if a client needs to reschedule for whatever reason, Jose will do his best to reschedule and pass the deposit over so the deposit is not lost.