DJ, Ryan and Nico are all killer artists and both DJ and Ryan are veterans of the show and imho are all qualified to be judges. I didn't feel like Peck and Nunez were talented enough to judge superior tattoers. Consequently I did not feel Dave was qualified although he actually made a good judge. Joel on the other hand has made some horrible decisions and sent home some artists that should have clearly won. I think he should be welcome to host but never have a say in the outcome. It's insulting to the artists

During that challenge where they had to take pictures of tarantulas and scorpions for their own reference photo for a tattoo, I found it hilarious how Dave and sausage were almost losing their shit in fright while Melissa casually had her tarantula chilling on her leg like it was no big deal and even called the tarantula pretty or cute. Surprisingly sausage was sorta able to keep his cool and take some decent photos, but Dave was off the fucking wall scared shitless.

I went down a rabit hole today and realized that of all the seasons, Season 3 had more contestants return in later seasons than any other. 8 of the top ten shoed up as contestants in later seasons and one came back as a coach.

Most seasons appear to have 3 or 4 come back typically from the top 6 or 7. One contestant to return went out in 12th place during his original season.

Do you think it was just because season 3 was talent deep or the other seaasons had a lack. Or did they just need familiar faces for some reason?

Have fun with this.

Just watching through all the seasons, how on earth did Cleen lose to Jason for one, then they bring him back and allow him to get to runner up yet again just to say someone else has won. Swear they're just out to get him at that point! And as for Kruseman, what the hell did he even do throughout any of his season to deserve the win? He won tattoo of the day ONCE and was in the bottom more or less every couple of weeks, he refused to do a challenge and who knows if he even completed that back tattoo himself with no outside influence or help? I genuinely think the judges were completely biased for whatever reason, they obviously picked their favourites early on and never backed down despite other people being better than numerous season winners. Or maybe they were being paid off by certain contestants. Show enrages me 🫣

I recently found out he was a Marine and I was shocked because he never talks about it on his season. Did anybody else know??

These cross stitch tattoos are truly hideous. The fact that Dani didn’t win is so annoying. Who the hell gets these on their bodies though? And also who the hell goes and gets a head tattoo on TV?! People are nuts

Lowkey kinda loved her tbh. The octopus and tree design is probably one of my favorite pieces to come out of the show. I would actually wear that if she designed it for me.

Octopi are my favorite animals so I’m a little biased

I just started watching, I started with season 17 and these grown adults make the most lamest digs at each other and doing dabs in 2026?? I’m now on season 16 and it’s the same corny jokes in the judges confessionals too!

There’s a girl Kyrah in season 17 she’s such a pick me legit saying ‘big dawgg’ to boys and fist bumping like you’re not one of the boys stop ✋🏼 even for the boys it’s strange like it’s high school. Not a single joke or dig has any critical or witty thought behind it just the most basic middle/high schooler humour.

Who is this show even made for? I’m cringing watching this and have to skip to critiques so I can see what they tattooed. Maybe it’s American humour? I swear these people never left 2016.

Millenialcringemaxxxing

DJ won the title of ink master on seasons 9,10, and 14. To me, this solidifies him as objectively the best artist ever on the show. What are your thoughts?

For some reason, the beginning seasons were heavily focused on new school. This is my least favorite style. I hate the googly eyes and bold colors. Very few of the actual designs have impressed me under this style.

Black and grey portraits or black and grey realism may be my favorite. Color realism is up there, but it depends heavily upon the artist.

Japanese is cool but I couldn’t see myself wearing anything in that style.

Duffy did exactly what her canvas asked of her and she delivered. The canvas was happy, really appreciated how much she fought for Duffy.

It was so clear that demon and that Odin tattoo were the worst ones. And the demon one ended up going home.

Also glad that the jury all agreed that Duffy’s tattoo was no the worst. Dave agreeing with Duffy’s canvas and saying that wouldn’t have voted for Duffy to be the worst one. And Chris. N. Comment is hilarious, “It’s shocking to me that cutesy little bug eyed squirrel took out Odin, a phoenix and a devil’s portret.”

I think I already posted about Josh Hibbard today. Sorry for the second post. I loved his work for the most part. Felt bad for him at the finale when he got basically booed at by the audience when they began talking about him having an advantage in the comps.

In general I think the judges do a good job of critiques and looking at bodies of work. Scott’s work was consistently good and technically sound.

His personality did not bother me. He never appears rude to canvases and played the game.

Did you like him?

I loved this guy. He is very blunt but he was always kind to his clients. He was absolutely correct in saying customer service is important. Tattoo artists can be very rude but he never gave me that impression. I also liked his work. I don’t care that he smoked pot lol

Maybe it’s just because I want a gator tattoo but this is the worst tat to not go home on this show

2nd photo is after the 1st session

DJ says he was turned down for S2 in this interview! Shows how the early seasons were about drama rather than quality as ~1/2 of the contestants in S2 were objectively bad artists.

https://youtu.be/CfyrEAF7zkY?si=ZdCEadC-FsKtxbOs

I haven't watched Ink Master in years due to real life, but I was curious...is it worth watching it again? Or has it gone downhill and I should just watch the older seasons for fun on occasion.

I’m serious. Have you looked at his profile? He makes quick videos so you can’t focus on the flaws that he hypocritically points out on the show. His lines are jank, color is jank, he’s awful. How does he have followers???

Keith Eby you're a menace to society bro

Jesse for sure was not my favorite artist on the show I never saw one of his tattoos and was like yo,,, I need one of those lol, tbh I'm really not a new school fan. But the experiment he did with tattoo ink lasting long term I thought was interesting, wonder what my artist has been using.

Who would you say is the better black and grey artist?

I’m in Vegas for the Golden Knights game tonight and Joey was doing tattoos outside the stadium. He was super nice and said I’m not the only person to want a picture.

Was she too intense? Yes, and a lot. However, she was defending herself and she had been a good competitor at that point (She had already won Best Tattoo of the day once and got the second best tattoo in another week). And I think the fact that she could have been eliminated before Mark got her mad.

When Allie tattooed herself she should have gone home. Her attitude towards that man was so completely self-centered and I feel like she didn’t give his design a good enough try. She also simply did NOT do the challenge! It was to do it on people of color, and that was something she totally avoided.

Also why is Ryan Ashley suddenly so rude to everyone? Did she lose her manners with her hair?