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Jamal Isles

@j_isles

1.5K

followers

2013

following

33
🏴Traditional Tattooist
📍Jewellery Quarter |Birmingham🇬🇧
📌 STUDIO> @warstonetattoo
💌 DM to book | Flash & custom work available!

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✨Swipe along and be sure to read the captions below for more insight… ✨
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- #backtattoo #traditionaltattoos #blacktraditional #jewelleryquarterbirmingham #processart

Client sent in a pic of his back and I went to work doing some rough sketches…this was the first draft and I was working around his existing tattoos. His brief was simple: “I want to look like a human flash board” it’s always fun and a little daunting when a customer gives you free rein… I’m always thankful for the trust. 🙏🏾

This was the first session. We’d settled on a skull + snake combo for the centre as well as the chain for the lower back. The first part of the day was making sure everything was sized correctly and fit around his existing tattoos.
(Plus time fighting the printer 🖨️ I swear that thing is sentient and hates my guts. 😂)

This is where we ended up after. Admittedly I’m not the fastest tattooist (yet) but I think we did ok.

I was glad we went for the dagger to frame up the top section. As anyone that knows me knows I love tattooing daggers and will find every way possible to convince you to get one. 😂

I don’t get to tattoo nearly enough skulls (or snakes) so this was fun…

Added some more bits and now it’s starting to come together.
We’d planned out and made stencils of all the pieces we were going to do from the first session so it was straight to business.

A more refined version of the draft from the second slide.

The plan for this session was to blast in the centre and add some gap fillers. We went with the classic dots + stars * as well as some bullet holes..🕳️
I also went over some small bits that may have dropped out during the healing. Touch ups are a normal part of the tattooing process. 👍🏾

This was a spontaneous one picked straight from the flash book. 📕

A quick clip of the whole thing…

- The final result…I definitely need to step up my photography game but I’m happy with how this all came together.
- Big thanks to my client for the trust + endurance 🫡

-If you’ve made it this far and read through my ramblings give yourself a pat on the back and drop me a like or comment too. (Any support means a lot!) 🥹
- I’m always up for larger projects (doesn’ taken in Warstone Tattoo by @j_isles

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13

a month ago

✨Start to finish!✨
-had fun working on this design from my flash. To see more of my available designs check out my highlights.

- #kingyo #fishtattoo #skulltattoo #smalltattoo #blacktattoo #blackworktattoo #blacktraditional #traditionaltattoo #traditionaltattooflash #besttradtattoos #uktta #oldschooltattoo #artistsoninstagram #art #artreels #tattooflash #stepbystep #workinprogress #birminghamtattoo #birminghamtattooist #neotraditionaltattoo #neotraditional #legtattoo #vsco #whipshading #illustration #igart by @j_isles

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4 years ago

✨ I got to tattoo this Muay Thai frog from my flash yesterday! ✨
- comment “OOOWEEE” below if you like Muay Thai 🥊
- I’d love to do more colour tattoos so DM me for bookings and enquiries I have loads of pre-drawn designs or I can make something custom for you. by @j_isles

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3 years ago

Day 12 of the @tat_tober flash challenge!
(I know, I know I’ve skipped a few 😂)
- Today’s prompt was “Dragon”. They’ve always been a struggle for me but I think I’m (slowly) getting the hang of it. (This is a painted version of a digital design I’d done recently.)
-There’s always so much to learn within tattooing which I guess is also part of the fun.
- Have a swipe through for some close-ups.
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- #dragontattoo #japanesetattoo #wabori #traditionaltattoo #tattooflash by @j_isles

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5 days ago

No drawing challenges today, just some designs I’d finished painting last night… swipe across to see the pair!
- Both designs are available as tattoos so if you see one you like drop me a DM.
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- #tiger #traditionaltattoo #traditionalflash #birminghamtattooist #birminghamtattoo by @j_isles

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6 days ago

Day 6 of the @tat_tober flash challenge!
(A day late I know 😂)
-The prompt was “Japanese Mask”.
- I had to resist the urge to draw a Hannya mask like I usually would, so instead I went with a Tengu. 👺
- I also got a little artsy and decided to use a silver Sharpie for the hair.
- As always, have a swipe through and be sure to leave a like or comment before you go! 🤘🏾🖤
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- #tattober #tattober2026 #japanesetattoo #wabori #traditionaltattoos by @j_isles

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6

10 days ago

Day 4 of the @tat_tober flash challenge!
- The prompt was “Snake” one of my favourite trad images to draw/paint!
- Swipe for another angle and be sure to drop a like or comment.
- I’m enjoying making these but I don’t know if I’ll be able to keep up with all the daily challenges 😂.
- Either way it gets me painting more which is the goal. 🤷🏾‍♂️
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- #tattober2026 #tattober #inktober #traditionaltattoo #traditionalflash by @j_isles

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12 days ago

Day 3 of the @tat_tober flash challenge.
- The prompt this time was “love” so I thought I’d keep it simple with a hand + love letter. 💌
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- #tattober2026 #tattober #loveletter #traditionalflash #inktober by @j_isles

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14 days ago

✨Day 2 of the @tat_tober flash challenge! ✨
-Today’s prompt was “Lady head”.
-They’re always hard for me to get the hang of but satisfying once finished.
I made two of them so swipe along to see them! 👉
#tattober #tattober2026 #ladyhead #inktober #traditionalflash by @j_isles

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7

15 days ago

Thought I’d take part in the @tat_tober flash challenge!
The first prompt was “Eagle” can’t go wrong with a classic design.
(Not sure if I’ll keep up with them all but I’ll give it a shot)🫡
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- #tattober #tattober2026 #inktober #tattooflash #traditionaltattoos by @j_isles

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5

16 days ago

Two new designs up for grabs!
-Thought I’d do something creepy/trippy, swipe across for close up shots.
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- #spookytattoo #traditionaltattoo #blacktraditional #birminghamtattooist #birminghamtattoo by @j_isles

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22 days ago

✨Stencil>Outline> Shading✨
- Swipe across to see each stage!
- As always I’m happy to take on custom pieces like this one. 🤘🏾
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- #traditionaltattoos #horsetattoo #blacktraditionaltattoo #birminghamtattooist #jewelleryquarterbirmingham by @j_isles

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23 days ago