Tattoo Art by Mertim Gokalp — Realism & Portrait Tattoos in Sydney

Mertim Gokalp is a Sydney-based tattoo artist and award-winning fine artist, specialising in realism, portrait and black and grey tattoos. With a background in classical painting, he approaches every tattoo as a unique artwork — carefully designed to suit the client, the body and the story behind the piece.

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Realism & Portrait Tattoo Specialist

Mertim focuses on:

Portrait tattoos (people, loved ones, musicians, film characters, icons)
Realism tattoos (figures, animals, surreal realism, objects)
Black and grey tattoos
Fine-line and detailed illustrative pieces

The goal is always the same: a tattoo that will age well, sit beautifully on the body and feel like a piece of art you’re proud to wear.

Why Choose Mertim

Fine art training, applied to tattooing.

Before tattooing, Mertim trained and worked as a professional painter. He brings this background in drawing, anatomy, light, composition and colour into every tattoo project.

Careful planning of placement and flow on the body
Honest feedback on what will and won’t work long-term
Custom designs, not copied flash
Calm, professional and respectful studio experience

Many clients come to Mertim because they want something more than “just a tattoo” — they want a collectable artwork.

The Process

1. Enquiry
Send an enquiry through the form below with your idea, placement and any reference images.

2. Consultation
If the project is a good fit, we’ll discuss the concept in more detail — either by email or in person — and talk through size, placement, style and timing.

3. Design
Mertim prepares a custom design based on your concept. The design is shown and refined with you before or on the day of the appointment, depending on the complexity.

4. Tattoo Session
On the day, we take our time to place the stencil correctly, make sure you’re comfortable, and work steadily to achieve the best possible result.

5. Aftercare
You’ll receive clear aftercare instructions to help your tattoo heal well and stay looking good over time.

Tattoo FAQ

Q1. What kind of projects do you take on?

Mertim mainly works on realism, portrait and detailed black and grey pieces. He prefers projects that have a strong artistic direction and enough size to include detail and good contrast. Small, highly simplified designs or styles outside his specialty may be declined or referred elsewhere.

Q2. Do you do cover-ups or reworks?

Cover-ups and reworks are assessed case by case. Please include clear photos of the existing tattoo in your enquiry so we can see whether a successful result is realistic.

Q3. How much does a tattoo cost?

Pricing depends on size, placement, complexity and time required. Once you send an enquiry with your idea and approximate size, you’ll receive an estimate or day rate guidance before you commit.

Q4. How far in advance should I book?