Philipp Held – Member of the Global Tattoo Artists Association

Oleksii
6 days ago
8 min read

Today, we're speaking with Philipp Held, a professional tattoo artist known for his dynamic compositions and masterful attention to detail. With a style that bridges bold expression and technical precision, Philipp crafts tattoos that resonate both visually and emotionally. In this interview, he shares the journey behind his art, the philosophies that shape his work, and his perspective on the ever-changing landscape of the global tattoo scene.

What inspired you to become a tattoo artist?

– Got into the hip-hop scene early on and explored everything from breakdancing to graffiti. Graffiti really stuck with me, and I started drawing and painting at a young age. I loved creating art, especially for other people, which naturally led me toward tattooing. My current tattoo style is still heavily influenced by graffiti – you can see that in my lettering, tags, and overall vibe. I’ve always had the urge to express myself creatively and come up with new ideas. Tattooing allows me to combine everything I enjoy and do well. It gives me the chance to be artistic, work closely with people, and bring my ideas to life. For me, it was always clear that I’d end up doing something creative. Tattooing simply connects all the things I love in the best possible way.

What’s your favorite part of the tattooing process—sketching, inking, or the client reaction?

– It’s hard to pick just one part because all three are so closely connected. If the design isn’t solid and well-matched to the client, the tattooing part won’t flow – and the result won’t make anyone happy. A great design means nothing if you can’t tattoo it properly. That’s why I value each step equally – I need all of them to feel fulfilled. What I really enjoy is when clients give me creative freedom and just a rough idea to work with. I love taking those few details and turning them into something custom and unique. It’s important to me that every design fits the person and isn’t a copy of something else. Once the tattoo is finished, seeing a happy and grateful client is the best reward. That trust they give me at the start really pays off in that moment.

How would you describe your tattoo style?

– My style is heavily influenced by graffiti, especially when it comes to lettering, negative space, and the way I use shadows. These are all fundamental elements you learn in graffiti – understanding where the light hits and how the letters cast shadows. That foundation still shapes how I approach tattoo design today. The graffiti vibe is always present in my work, especially in my letter compositions and overall flow. Besides that, I also draw a lot of inspiration from Chicano style. I love soft shading and strong contrasts, which are key features in Chicano tattoos. That blend of graffiti and Chicano influences really defines my personal style. It’s bold but also detailed, clean, and expressive. That mix is what makes my work stand out and feel true to who I am as an artist.

What’s the most challenging tattoo you’ve ever done?

– Uff, probably the most complex tattoo I’ve done was a full back piece for a friend of mine. He wanted it entirely in my style, but with a ton of specific elements. He asked for Albert Einstein, the theory of relativity, Schrödinger’s cat, and the Pi symbol – all in one design. On top of that, he wanted the whole piece to be completely symmetrical, which is tough to achieve in graffiti or Chicano styles and doesn’t really fit the natural shape of the body.

Designing it was a real challenge. We ended up using a brick wall as a symmetrical background to tie everything together. Einstein was placed on one side, with cables coming out of his hands and ears, holding a 3D-style Pi symbol as a pendant. Schrödinger’s cat was jumping out of a box holding a smartphone, looking totally crazy. Around the box, I worked in a lettering piece with the formula – it was wild, but in the end, it all came together.

How do you make sure your clients are comfortable during the tattoo process?

– I usually start by getting to know the client already during the design process. We talk a lot, and that helps me understand their personality and how they’re feeling. Building that connection makes it easier to create a relaxed atmosphere once we start tattooing. I think empathy plays a huge role – if you’re able to read people and respond to their needs, that makes a big difference. During the session, I always keep an eye on how the client is doing. I check in regularly, ask if they need a break, want some water or sugar, or just need to stretch or adjust the chair. Whether it’s a cigarette break or just changing position, I try to make the whole experience as comfortable as possible. It’s really important to me that my clients feel safe, cared for, and at ease throughout the entire process.

Do you think tattoos have a deeper meaning for people, or are they just an art form?

– I think it really depends on the person – there are definitely both types of clients. But from my own experience, I’d say that almost all the people who come to me have a meaningful story behind their design. That’s actually what I enjoy the most. When someone wants to permanently mark something that’s truly important to them, it makes the whole process more personal and special. I really like when they just give me the key points and trust me to turn their story into a unique design. It creates a deeper connection between us, and I feel honored to bring their idea to life in a way that lasts forever. For me, those tattoos have more depth – they’re not just about visuals, they’re about emotion, memory, and identity. That’s when tattooing becomes more than art – it becomes storytelling.

What’s the longest tattoo session you've ever had?

– That’s actually a bit of a tricky question for me, because I work pretty fast. I try to be as efficient and focused as possible, so my sessions usually don’t stretch endlessly. But one of the biggest projects I’ve done was a full back piece, which I completed over three sessions. Each session lasted around five hours. So in total, it was about fifteen hours of work. That’s probably the longest I’ve ever spent on one piece. Even though it was intense, the flow was great and the client handled it really well. For me, it’s always important to balance speed with quality – getting the best result without overexhausting the client.

Do you have any tattoo artists who inspire you or whose work you admire?

– Yeah, definitely – I think that’s obvious. Kindamo has been a big inspiration for me. I even had the honor of working on a design with him, and he gave me some great advice during that time. His style and creativity really had an impact on me. I also really admire the old-school drawing style of Macko and the tattoo work of Posco Losco – I’m a huge fan of both. But honestly, there are so many great artists out there, I could name a whole list. I try to stay open and take inspiration from different styles and approaches. It keeps me growing as an artist and pushes me to evolve my own style, too.

Can you tell us about a memorable or meaningful tattoo you’ve done for someone?

– Of course – there are always emotional moments, especially when people come in to get tattoos in memory of lost loved ones. But one of the most touching experiences I’ve had was with a young client who had just turned 18. She had been rejected by at least 10 studios because of her physical condition – she had been in a car accident a few years earlier, was in a wheelchair, and had muscle spasms, so staying still was a challenge. At the time, my studio was on the second floor, and she came with her mother, who was also her caregiver. I carried her upstairs myself while her mother brought the wheelchair. I tattooed her, and it turned out perfectly. I gave her the tattoo as a gift, as a way to make up for how badly the other studios had treated her by turning her away. Seeing her so happy, with tears of joy in her eyes – that moment was absolutely priceless.

What’s the most unusual or unexpected tattoo request you’ve ever received?

– There was one request that really stayed with me – and honestly, I’m not even sure if I should talk about it, but it was that intense. A client once came to me with a photo of his deceased baby and asked me to tattoo it as a portrait. I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I tried to talk to him and explain that carrying something so emotionally raw on his skin might not bring him peace in the long run. I suggested we create something symbolic instead – something meaningful but more uplifting, to honor the memory in a different way. But he was very insistent, and in the end, I had to respectfully decline. Sometimes as an artist, you have to make hard decisions to protect both your client and your own boundaries. That experience reminded me how deeply emotional tattooing can be.

Do you see tattoos as an evolving art form, and if so, how do you think the industry will change in the next decade?

– The tattoo world is evolving incredibly fast – in both good and bad ways. There are so many tools now, like Procreate and AI, that make designing and planning tattoos much easier. These can really help artists grow and push boundaries. But at the same time, I see a lot of young artists who never learned the basics. They don’t know how a coil machine works, how to bend needles, or how to draw a stencil by hand and place it without relying on printers. Back in the day, you had to redraw a stencil several times if it didn’t fit – it taught you patience, precision, and understanding. So I see the future of tattooing with both a smile and a tear. The opportunities are amazing, but a lot of tradition and foundational knowledge is being lost along the way.

If you are a studio owner or educator, please share your experience and role in these areas.

– I founded my studio, Jailhouseart, in 2017 – back then, it was just me working alone. Today, we’re a team of six based in Landshut, and we’ve built something that feels more like a family than just a studio. I’m really proud of what we’ve created. Before all this, I went through some really hard times – I was homeless for three years, had no job, no clear future, and sometimes even slept in the lobby of a bank just to get through the night. Coming from that situation and now running a successful studio makes me appreciate every step of the journey even more. I built everything myself – the website, design work, marketing, organization, and internal systems. Nothing was handed to me, and that’s why I take such pride in what I do. Creating a space where artists can grow and feel supported means everything to me.