The Illustrated Man

Over priced, inaccurate, rushed. He's just trying to pump out customers and rip them off by overcharging post tattoo. Asked for an armband. Got a weird shaped jellyfish looking thing instead. Straight lines shouldn't be that hard to draw.

Edit: it's the old Thai man that was responsible. From reading the other reviews I can see this is a common pattern. By way of further detail - I called up twice in the day to confirm that they would have enough time, wanted to make a booking so I could sit down and go through the design. After being brushed off very rudely by the old man, he decided after making me wait 1.5 hours that he didn't have enough time to mine. Mind you in this period, there were like 7 other walk-ins to whom he stated he would have time in half an hour (impossible). Hence the rush to burn and churn.
Eventually I gave up and said hey, I've come a long way, happy for you to just do a solid line tattoo if you don't have time for the intricate one at the moment. After muttering and blubbering under his breath he finally agreed. Then during the process: he dug so deeply and pressed so firmly into the skin the ink has gone way too deeply. I've had multiple other tattoos and never bled/minor spotting. During this one I had a band of blood that needed to be soaked by paper towels.

Two of my friends got very simple tattoos, one was visibly on the surface and you could tell it would quickly fall out. The other was squished together, the lines wiggly and the font size inconsistent. I am sure they will be writing a review.

Do not go to this place, unless maybe you build a rapport prior with one of the other artists (libby, and some other dude) - from their clients that went before me and also their Instagrams they seem talented. But the Thai burn and churn man is not worth your time. I also watched a nose piercing whilst in there, I've had mine done numerous times without bleeding, but this guy looked like he'd been punched in thr face, blood covered tissues, bleeding profusely. Seems like the piercer had gone straight through and hit the middle of his nose.

Ridiculous joint, would be give 0 stars if I could.

Got my first piercing from Jess. She calmed me very easily. So professional and lovely. Highly recommend.

Very awesome! I took my friend to get his virhin ink and they were very careful to make sure he had a good experience.

Tony Cohen best tattoo artist in Sydney wont.tattoo you though if he hasnt.before been to him for 40+ years moved to Tasmania when i retired catch him in 2021 if he is still working.

I got it done so easy and quick, very professional, i wanted this so badly, thanks Gary for this piece u r the best.

Receptionist was rude and unprofessional! She’s bad at talking to people and Doesn’t even greet people who walk in I don’t know who hired her but i would NOT recommend this shop

My favourite place to get a tattoo from when staying in the city.friendly atmosphere, friendly and helpful staff

Got a piercing from Jess. She’s so professional, super clean, so lovely and calmed all my nerves about it. All my future piercings are going to be done by her. Cannot recommend highly enough.

Thank you to both Tony & Brett for making my tattoo so pretty. Peony flower. I highly recommend this place as it’s got friendly, talented, professional staff. Jess does an amazing job body piercing, barely hurt. I will be back.

Heidi

This place is my only go to tattoo place! I had an amazing experience both times from the same artist. He did a very detailed photo of both designs I got. Very friendly! Amazing staff! Also the receptionist/piercer has been great! Was very good at what she was doing and was very helpful with all the information I needed when I got here. Amazing and incredible ️

Just walked in and Brett was able to listen to what I wanted and came up with a design I loved. Price was great too. He was fab, would highly recommend.

**EDIT: review updated to 5 stars for offering to fix up my tat. Thanks guys!:)
.
Went here for my first tattoo! I was overall very happy with my experience; it was extremely quick (5 mins tops) and barely hurt. There was about an hour waiting time but im very satisfied with the outcome:) The only thing i noticed is the ink didnt stay on in some very minor places (pic attached below). They arent too noticeable but im just an observant person.

On the 17th of July my son came into get his first tattoo. I would like to say Thanks to Stef for taking the time to research something that was appropriate & tasteful for him. The final outcome was a really Gr8 tattoo that my son & Family are very Greatful for, CHEERS!

EDIT 26/08/2020:
After reading my review, Brett Cohen offered to touch-up my tattoo at the studio free of charge. I went in tonight and my experience has completely changed my opinion of the studio. Brett saved my tattoo and has turned it into something I love to look at, instead of something I’m ashamed of. He was an absolute delight to be tattooed by and was the friendliest guy I’ve probably ever met. He was super understanding of the few involuntary movements I made and was able to make me so relaxed that the pain was entirely manageable. Brett: Thank you so much for creating beautiful art on my body. I will forever be thankful for the generosity you displayed. I will 100% be getting my next tattoo done by Brett.

PREVIOUS REVIEW:
I’d like to apologise in advance to the extremely talented tattoo artists I’ve seen on The Illustrated Man’s instagram page for this review.

I was tattooed by Tony Cohen on 24/02/2020 and asked for a butterfly, which I provided an illustration of. I had drawn the butterfly myself completely symmetrical and the end result of the tattoo I received was nowhere near symmetrical. I understand that throughout the first section of tattooing: I was shaking quite badly (uncontrollably). However, the tattoo artist showed no interest in helping me stop by suggesting a different position to place my leg in, or relaxing my muscles, instead he decided to get visibly frustrated and kept complaining to me “Please, stop shaking. ” “For the love of God, stop. ”, etc. My friend was seated in a chair with a leg rest to support her, but I was made to take my shoes off and rest my leg in my artist’s lap with none. I’m extremely upset that I paid $250 for a jagged, asymmetrical tattoo with gaps and lazy line art. Lines aren’t connected, the very little shading is patchy and inconsistent and the block-coloured areas have gaps in them. I have taken photos throughout the healing process to prove that these gaps were there when the tattoo was first done, they hadn’t dropped out, and that this isn’t just a “wait for it to heal” scenario. I was overcharged for a botched tattoo when my best friend got the exact same design on the same day by a different artist and received a replica of the illustration we provided. I was also given no option in which artist would be tattooing me. I had called twice to create a booking and was both times told: “You don’t need to book, just walk in. ” Once the tattoo was finished, he wiped my leg down and smothered the ink with pawpaw and covered it in tissue and paper towel. He then proceeded to tape it to my leg, suffocating the tattoo and not giving me the opportunity to look at the finished result in the mirror. Overall, I am extremely upset with Tony at the Illustrated Man, as I had heard so many positive reviews.

Went here for my first tatt and was not disappointed. Wayne did a great job and really took the time to get it right. Thanks guys!

Absolutely no idea about treating a potential client with any respect, basically witnessed 3customers ahead of me being treated like rubbish.so off I went up to max chaters, king's Cross village tattoo. Treated with utmost respect, artist not just interested but give great advice and always professional in every area. Been happy and keep going back over the last 20 years. BEST IN SYDNEY HANDS DOWN!

I had my ears re-pierced by Jess to correct my previous really uneven piercings. She was soooo good. She took the time to measure and make sure I was happy with the end result. Such a great experience. Would recommend Jess and The Illustrated Man to everyone! She's great.

Got my first tattoo done today and im stoked with how its turned out, definitely reccomend this place!

Great atmosphere, great people, highly skilled artists, ive had tattoo's by chuck, Wayne and libby all of the work has turned out amazing, would definitely recommend to anyone who wants a quality tattoo!

Libby is AWESOME. I did a sh! Tload of research on a dozen different venues and tattoo artists. When I met Libby I instantly knew she was the one to do my next pieces. Talented, artistic, opinionated, super down to earth, friendly. Really happy with all 3 pieces. Highly recommended!