Introducing Yevhenii Skorokhod, shining on the cover of Ink Legends Magazine.
A talented black and gray realism artist and a true master of cover-ups. Discover his exceptional work and read our exclusive interview to learn more about his artistic journey.
Can you please start by introducing yourself and telling us about your journey as a tattoo artist?
My name is Yevhenii Skorokhod, and I’m a tattoo artist originally from Ukraine. I’ve been working in the tattoo industry for over 8 years, and what started as a passion quickly became my life’s work.
Tattooing is more than just a profession for me — it’s a form of self-expression, storytelling, and deep connection with people. I truly love the process: from the first idea and sketch to the final result on the skin.
Over the years, I’ve grown not only as an artist but also as a person through this craft. I can honestly say I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. Tattooing feels like exactly where I’m meant to be, and I’m grateful every day that I get to do what I love for a living.
You specialize in black and grey realism and cover ups — what originally drew you to this style, and why did you choose it?
I’m especially drawn to black and grey realism because, from an artistic point of view, it’s all about contrast, depth, and emotion. Working only with shades of black allows me to focus on light, shadow, texture, and composition in a very pure way. I love how powerful and timeless this style is — it doesn’t rely on color to make an impact, it relies on balance, precision, and feeling.
Cover-up work is another part of tattooing that I’m deeply passionate about. For me, it’s not just a technical challenge, but a very human one. Many clients come to me with old tattoos that bring them discomfort — sometimes emotional, sometimes aesthetic. Some even tell me they feel embarrassed to undress at the beach because of a tattoo they no longer connect with.
Being able to transform something that causes insecurity into a piece of art that gives confidence is incredibly meaningful to me. When I cover an old tattoo and see how a person’s posture, energy, and self-confidence change, it reminds me why I chose this path.
You’ve attended many tattoo conventions and won awards, congratulations, well deserved. What do these events bring to you, and how have they influenced your career?
Tattoo conventions play a very important role in my career and artistic growth. They give me the opportunity to present my work to a wider audience, to express myself as an artist, and to share my vision and creativity with people from different countries and backgrounds.
These events are also an incredible space for connection. Meeting other tattoo artists, seeing their techniques and styles, and exchanging experiences is extremely inspiring. Being surrounded by so much talent pushes me to grow, refine my skills, and constantly raise my own standards.
Winning awards at conventions is, of course, a great honor and a strong validation of my work, but beyond recognition, conventions motivate me to keep evolving. They’ve helped me gain confidence, visibility, and a deeper understanding of where I stand as an artist. Overall, tattoo conventions have had a powerful influence on my career, both professionally and creatively, and they continue to inspire me to move forward.
How do you approach the design process to ensure the best possible results for each tattoo?
My design process always starts with listening. I take time to understand the client’s story, ideas, and expectations, because every tattoo should feel personal and meaningful. From there, I focus on how the design will work with the body — considering placement, anatomy, movement
Then I transform the concept into a custom design, paying close attention to composition, contrast, and detail, especially to ensure clarity and longevity in the skin. I don’t rush this stage — refining the design is a crucial part of achieving the best possible result.
Throughout the process, I keep an open dialogue with the client, making adjustments when needed and explaining my artistic decisions. This collaboration builds trust and ensures that the final tattoo not only looks strong visually, but also feels right for the person wearing it. My goal is always to create a piece that is technically solid, aesthetically balanced, and meaningful for years to come.
You’ve created some impressive cover-up tattoos. What excites you about the cover-up process, and how do you balance technical limitations with creating a strong new design?
Cover-up work is one of the most exciting and rewarding parts of my practice. I genuinely enjoy the challenge of transforming an existing tattoo into something completely new and powerful. Over the years, I’ve developed a strong ability to work with old tattoos — understanding their density, linework, and pigment — and using that knowledge to build designs that not only cover effectively but look intentional and visually strong.
Through careful planning, contrast, layering, and depth — especially in black and grey realism — I’m able to redirect attention, reshape forms, and create balance without making the tattoo look heavy or forced.
I put a lot of care and effort into each cover-up, because I know how much it means to the person wearing it. Many clients come to me with tattoos they’ve struggled with for years, so I take that responsibility seriously. Seeing their reaction when the old tattoo disappears into a strong new design — and knowing I’ve helped restore their confidence — is incredibly motivating for me.
Was there any turning point in your career that significantly improved your work — whether through equipment, education, or experience — that you would recommend to other artists?
There wasn’t a single turning point, but rather a series of important steps that consistently elevated my work. One of the most impactful factors was investing in education — attending masterclasses, learning directly from experienced artists, and openly discussing techniques, styles, and creative approaches with other tattooers. Exchanging knowledge and perspectives helped me see my own work from new angles and pushed me to refine my style.
Staying curious has always been essential for me. I closely follow new trends, techniques, and developments in the industry, not to copy them, but to understand how tattooing evolves and how I can adapt and grow within it. Experience also played a huge role — each tattoo, especially complex projects and cover ups, taught me something new and helped sharpen both my technical skills and artistic decision-making.
What I would recommend to other artists is to never stand still. Be open to learning, invest in yourself, communicate with other professionals, and don’t be afraid to step outside your comfort zone. Growth in this industry comes from constant movement, and I believe that continuous development is the key to long-term success.
Was there any recent project you worked on that you are especially proud of, and that was also challenging for you?
One project I’m especially proud of was a huge cover-up project when I covered old tattoos almost all over my client’s body. It was a complex and demanding project, both technically and creatively, because each existing tattoo had different levels of saturation and style that needed to be carefully considered.
What made this project truly special was the transformation. By creating I was able to unify everything into one strong visual flow rather than a collection of separate cover-ups. The result was not only successful from a technical standpoint, the most important was that my client was extremely happy, and the project has received a lot of positive feedback overall.
Do you have any exciting plans or upcoming projects you’d like to share?
I’m constantly working on new projects and developing fresh ideas, so there’s always something exciting in progress. I really enjoy exploring new concepts within my style and pushing my creative and technical boundaries with each project.
I’m always happy to share my latest work, both online and in person. Tattoo conventions are an important platform for me, as they allow me to present new projects, connect with the community, and showcase my artistic growth to a wider audience. I look forward to continuing to share upcoming work and creative projects as they develop.
And finally — how do you like to spend your free time outside of art and tattooing?
In my free time, I enjoy activities that help me reset and inspire me at the same time. I love skiing — it clears my head and gives me new energy. I also spend a lot of time creating new sketches, thinking through fresh ideas, and developing future designs.
It’s hard for me to completely separate rest from creativity, because art is such an inseparable part of my life. Even when I’m “off,” my mind is still working on concepts and compositions in the background. I also truly value spending quality time with my family — that balance keeps me grounded and motivated.
For me, this mix of movement, creativity, and close connections is what keeps me inspired and fulfilled.
