Levi Taylor Tattoo Artist

Tee’s snake and chrysanthemum sleeve Part 3: Transformation Complete

Im really proud of the work we did together on this sleeve. I put a lot of hours into design prep and fitting so that we would have the final result shown here. Mostly all healed with a few touch ups in these photos. Really glad to have clients like Tee who sit so well and are fabulous company. The whole reason I built my private studio is for these connections and journeys to take place. I don’t just tattoo, I specialise in transformation and the path we follow to get there.

We started with a lot of coverups to balance and focus on, and I’m really happy with where we are now.
Super honoured to be chosen for this transformation. Thanks, Tee 🙏

Tee’s cover up sleeve, part 2.

At this stage we are at about the half way point in the project.

Typically I will do a colour study before I start shading. The challenge we had was balancing the coverup while making it not look like a cover up. I don’t like my cover ups to look like cover ups. There’s no wrong or right, it’s just what I prefer.

I limited the colour palette of this design so that all the tones and tints were derivative of magenta. Magenta is the base hue for the entire design, and subsequent colours are mixed to create more earthy tones or more vibrant effects such as bright pink. The reason I chose to do this is because Tee’s skin has warm undertones and I wanted the palette to age gracefully with her natural skin.

The blackwork portions were designed to enhance the muscular flow and also provide strong contrast against the magenta.

Large form work looks the best when you can balance flow and design with the client’s skin tone and muscular structure. When approaching coverups, I like to use the saying “fail to prepare, prepare to fail.”

Part 3 coming soon 😎

Tee’s cover up sleeve, part 1.

A little window into how I approach coverup work. A combination of stencilling and sketching on the skin. Careful planning and a structured approach.

A sleeve shouldn’t look like separate ideas.

Large-scale tattooing needs cohesion.

The strongest sleeves are not built by stacking one good idea beside another. They are built through structure: flow, scale, background, negative space, movement, and restraint.

Every part needs to serve the whole.

For large-scale Japanese and neo-Japanese sleeve projects, the process begins with a consultation.

Enquire through the link in bio.

I present a clear process and project vision from start to finish. It’s who I am and how I operate. To some it may seem intimidating, but this is the path to a predictable and successful outcome.

Because there’s no point in investing time and effort into a design that is disparate and void of meaning.

Click the link in my bio to find out more.

Progress on Melissa’s leg sleeve.
This project is built around movement, flow and contrast — combining crashing water, chrysanthemum blooms and a powerful koi moving through the composition.

Really enjoying how this one is developing. The balance between soft atmospheric background tones and bold colour is giving the sleeve a lot of depth that I enjoy building as a signature of my work.

Large scale Japanese work is always about patience and layering over time. Session by session it slowly starts becoming something alive.

Thank you Melissa for the trust and commitment to the process so far. Looking forward to pushing this one even further.

Highly selective and limited intake for Q3 and Q4 of 2026. Follow the link in my bio to see how I operate.

Thank you.

Some projects stay with you long after the session ends.
This sleeve and chest piece for Mike was one of those projects.

Over the course of this tattoo we built something deeply personal together — weaving together Australian birdlife, botanicals, snakes and symbolic imagery into a piece that feels alive from every angle. The balance of softness and danger, movement and stillness, was something we refined carefully across every session.

What I appreciated most though was the connection behind the work. Mike brought trust, patience and genuine intent into the process, which always allows a tattoo to become something greater than just imagery on skin. Those are the projects I value most.

Thank you mate for the commitment and for allowing me the creative freedom to bring this one to life.
Pieces like this are exactly why I love what I do.

Thanks Jono 🙏 Komainu and Hannya.

Most large-scale projects begin at a turning point.

A new chapter.
A career milestone.
A personal shift.

These pieces aren’t random - they mark something.

If you’re stepping into a new phase, this may be the right time to begin.

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Japanese-style composition is built around flow, balance and negative space.

Large scale work is designed to incorporate the subject matter, background and movement as one singular design - not seperate elements placed on the skin.

If you’re thinking about a sleeve or back piece, think long-term.

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