Atelier Hannibal · Macher Studios
Hürth
15 minutes from Cologne. Tattoo and piercing under one roof.
- Address
- Kaulardstraße 21, 50354 Hürth-Efferen
- Tue to Frii
- 11:00 to 18:00
- Satt
- 11:00 to 17:00
- Services
- Tattoo and piercing
REALISTIC TATTOOS IN HÜRTH, EUSKIRCHEN AND ERFTSTADT
Realistic tattoos, like a photo.
Portraits of people and animals, eyes, hands, whole scenes. In the free consultation we suggest the Artists who specialise in exactly your design.
5.0 from over 600 Google reviews, plus 8 Artists for this style
Free consultationYour Artist sets the priceAt the Atelier or by video call
Real work from our Ateliers
Cover-up
Flowers & plants · Black & Grey
Flowers & plants · Black & GreyGood to know
What makes a good reference photo?
A Realistic tattoo is only as good as its reference. The photo needs to be sharp down to the details, so no screenshots and no heavily compressed images from a messenger app. Light from one side helps more than a flash from the front, because shadows give the design depth that your Artist later recreates in the skin. With portraits, the gaze matters: eyes sharp, face not distorted, ideally no wide-angle selfies. If you have several photos, bring them all. Your Artist then picks the image that translates well into skin and can add details from a second photo.
How big does a realistic portrait need to be?
Realistic relies on subtle transitions and small details. Both need space, otherwise they blur into each other over the years. As a guide, our Artists plan a portrait from about the size of a palm, and correspondingly more for faces with hair, background or two people. A single eye can be smaller, a dog's head with fur tends to need more. We discuss small preferred sizes honestly: sometimes a different placement or a detail instead of the whole design is the better solution.
Black & Grey or colour realism?
Both are Realistic, but the effect is different. Black & Grey works with shades of grey and contrast, looks calm and timeless and ages very evenly. Colour realism brings skin tones, eye colours and surroundings into the picture and looks more vivid, but needs more sessions and slightly more careful aftercare, because light shades react more sensitively to sun. For animal portraits and eyes, colour is often the stronger choice; for portraits of people, many choose Black & Grey. Your Artist will show you both options in comparable pieces during the consultation.
Can Realistic be combined with other styles?
Yes, and that happens often with us. A realistic portrait with lettering underneath, an animal in Realistic with a geometric frame, or a photorealistic element in a larger Black & Grey sleeve. What matters is that the realistic part has enough calm around it so that it does not have to compete with ornaments or bold lines. If you are planning a combination, bring both ideas to the consultation. We will then suggest an Artist who can do both parts, or coordinate two Artists with each other.
What the price depends on
With Realistic, the level of detail matters most: an eye is tattooed faster than a portrait with hair, hands and background. Then there is size, placement and the question of Black & Grey or colour, because colour realism usually needs more sessions. Large pieces are done over several appointments that your Artist plans with you. Your Artist sets the price after the free consultation.
More in the price guide: How much does a tattoo cost?Wanna-dos
Ready-made motifs
Ready-made Realistic designs by our Artists that are tattooed only once and are waiting for you.
Wannado · one of a kind
Abstract / Brushstroke
Abstract / BrushstrokeWannado · one of a kind
Abstract / Brushstroke
Abstract / BrushstrokeWannado · one of a kind
Abstract / Brushstroke
Abstract / BrushstrokeWannado · one of a kind
Realistic
RealisticAvailable at
Your Ateliers and Artists
Artists for this style, across all Ateliers:
AlexHürth
CamilaHürth, Euskirchen
FederEuskirchen, Erftstadt
HannibalHürth, Euskirchen, Erftstadt
KitoEuskirchen, Erftstadt
MarioErftstadt
MiggeErftstadt
TheoHürth, Erftstadt
Atelier Hannibal · Macher Studios
Euskirchen
This is where it all began. The first Atelier, right in the centre of Euskirchen.
- Address
- Hochstraße 34a, 53879 Euskirchen
- Tue to Satt
- 10:00 to 17:30
- Services
- Tattoo
Operated by Major.ttts, owner Mario Krampf
Erftstadt
Mario's Atelier, just behind the market square in Lechenich.
- Address
- Franz-Busbach-Straße 3a, 50374 Erftstadt-Lechenich
- Appointments
- by arrangement
- Services
- Tattoo
How it works
How you get to your tattoo.
- 01EnquiryTell us what you have in mind. Motif, size and placement can still be open.
- 02Free consultationAt the Atelier or by video call. We introduce you to Artists who suit your idea.
- 03AppointmentYou agree the design, price and appointment directly with your Artist.
What stays is on the skin.
Fineline★★★★★
“I'm so thrilled with the result. The service and the effort you put in is really awesome. This was definitely not my last tattoo from you. Thank you. (Translated from German)”
Mara H.October 2026Hürthtattooed by Camila
Google review · photo shared with permission
★★★★★
“I was extremely unsure about the motifs […], Federico quickly took away my uncertainty and took an enormous amount of time to make sure I was satisfied. […] From consultation to the tattoo appointment, everything was top. (Translated from German)”
Celine H.June 2026Euskirchentattooed by Feder
Google review · photo shared with permission
★★★★★
“From the first consultation to the last needle stroke, it was simply perfect. The team is so warm, and visiting the studio now feels like coming home for me. (Translated from German)”
Euskirchentattooed by Hannibal
Lorena · Customer reviewFrequently asked questions
How many sessions does a Realistic tattoo need?
A single hand-sized portrait is often finished in one long session. Our Artists split larger scenes, colour realism or several designs into two or more appointments, with a few weeks of healing in between.
Which placements suit Realistic?
Smooth, large areas with little movement: upper arm, outer forearm, thigh, calf, chest, shoulder blade. You can see how sensitive each placement is on our placement pages.
Can I cover an old tattoo with Realistic?
Possibly, if the old design is light enough or can be worked into dark areas of the new image. Black and white portraits are often better suited to this than colour. Send us a photo and you will get an honest assessment.
Can the consultation be done by video call?
Yes. You show us the reference and the placement on camera, and we discuss size and Artist. Some of our Artists offer payment in instalments, usually via PayPal or Klarna. Whether they do, on what terms and over what period is up to the Artist, who will tell you in the consultation. The studio is not involved. More on this under Payment in instalments.
Free consultation
Tell us about your design.
Design, size and placement can still be open.