Best Color Portrait Artists

Comparing art and deciding which is "better" is always a dumb thing to do. However, for the purpose of discussion (because I am bored), which artist does your favorite color portrait tattoos? To me, the best color portrait artists that I have seen are Paul Acker, Nikko, and Mike Devries. In that order with Paul Acker creating the most vivid, striking, and visually exciting color portraits I have seen. Would love to hear some artist's opinions on these artists techniques. And feel free to drop names of other artists whos work is in the same realm as these 3.

I would certainly note Mike DeVries, Stefano, Nikko, Mike Demasi, and god... there's a lot of awesome artists, but my hands down personal favorite is Shane O'Neil.

Also Khan from Japan is a fucking badass http://khantattoo.com/

All great artists. I still think Paul Acker is my favorite after looking at the artists Mary mentioned. He makes the image more intense then the photographs (Stefano and Nikko do that too). One thing that all of these artists have in common right now: Heath Ledger Joker tattoos. Its fun to see everyones different take on it. My favorite is the last one Acker did. http://www.paulacker.com/tattoos/tattoos_36473.html He has another one on his site. Which is phenomenal as well. http://www.paulacker.com/tattoos/tattoos_36467.html

I've been tattooed by Paul, I'm also a big fan of his too :) I think it's his unique use of color that sets him apart, in that sense the portraits are less realistic, cause they're wonky color schemes, but in a super rad way (that wasn't meant to be an dig). Also speaking of joker tattoos and people that are badasses, check out bez. http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewAlbums&friendID=168214346 His is my favorite joker yet! Although Paul's is #2 as far as jokers go, his was fucking rad too.

Paul is definitely tops on my list. Lucky! What did you have him do? If you don't mind me asking. Bez is fantastic too. Forgot about him. I love the artists who put a more dynamic approach into their work. Like you said, Paul's stuff might not be perfect realism, but I would rather things look better than "real". Perfect realism is immpressive, and I am always blown away when I see it, but for me I like when things are bolder and more vivid than they may be in reality.

http://www.paulacker.com/tattoos/tattoos_26067.html That lil guy is mine :D

Oh and duh, Jeff Gogue http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=69299111&albumId=790322&page=10

Nice Bat! Congrats on that one. Jeff Gogue is for sure one of my favorites. Good call. I am a huge fan of his non-portrait stuff. He's got so much style. I LOVE HIS SKULLS!!!! I don't even know why I started this thread. I have no immediate intentions of getting a portrait tattoo. I am just a fan of them. Lol.

Yea, totallly! He just did a seminar here at our shop. I know he isn't too into color portraits, I think he likes stuff he can freehand and be more creative with more. Such a shame he's so good at everything ;)

Nate Beavers is one of my favorite color portrait tattooers. www.myspace.com/nb13 www.boristattoo.com www.myspace.com/zhivkotattoo www.myspace.com/corycudney www.divinemachinetattoo.com Deano@ www.psychotats.com Chris@ www.bigbrain2.com