Ink Master is an American reality
competition on Spike in which tattoo artists compete in challenges assessing
their tattoo and related artistic skills. They are judged by noted tattoo artists
and tattoo enthusiasts, with one or more contestants eliminated each episode.
The show is produced by Original Media which also produced judge Chris Núñez's
show Miami Ink.
All episodes aside from the finales
have the following format, with some minor variations to the application of the
format:
First, there is a Flash Challenge
that will be evaluated based on how well an artist met the skill of the week.
Some Flash Challenges involve tattooing, but typically, flash challenges do not
incorporate the act of tattooing; but, instead, will require a related skill
(i.e. painting, hair cutting, etching, burning, etc.). The winner of the flash
challenge wins the right to select their own human canvas in the elimination challenge
and, as of season two, pair up the other contestants with their human canvases.
After the Flash Challenge comes the
Elimination Challenge, a further test of the skill of the week on a human
canvas, typically incorporating a prominent style of tattooing. Once the
contestants are paired up with their canvases, they are given the day to
consult with their assignment. The next day, each contestant is given four to
six hours to complete their design. Once completed, the contestants meet as a
group with the judges and are critiqued one by one. The contestants then are
dismissed, with four later being called back. The four typically represent a
top two and bottom two for the week, though this breakdown can change. At the
end of each episode, a winner is typically declared and one contestant is
eliminated.
There are 3 main judges, and
occasionally have a guest judge who is normally a well-known tattoo artist. Not only are they being judged by the original
judges but as well as everyone watching the show. Your own vote is counted and
can be done on their website; also the human canvas has a vote.
Ink Master shows the world and
proves to everyone who is the greatest tattoo artist. As much as the show is highly enjoyable, I believe
it holds a huge impact on the tattoo artist now present career. While watching
the show progress, you really see who is better and who is worse. Each week
when a tattoo artist leaves, personally I think its destroying their business
and career.
In all honesty, who would go get permanent
Ink done by someone who was voted and see worldwide as a bad tattoo artist. Not
only that, but the judges explain what makes their tattoo bad, therefore
hearing the critics gives a sense of fear to have work done by that artist.
Aside from that tattoo work itself,
you also see a sense of who the artist is as a person, from what TV allows you
to see. You learn and witness the drama
that pulls you in. For example in season four (currently on air) you see the personalities
of those who only “bitch, and wine” and the problems between tattoo artist. You
also hear how the tattoo artist insults their canvas for being uncooperative.
More drama is also unleashed when secrets spill, such as, a tattoo artist who
is partly color blind. Oh lovely, and why is he tattooing? The questioning is
what gets you involved.
Another flaw within the show, is unfortunately
for the human canvas’s, if your tattoo artist isn’t the best, and or f*ucks up,
it’s now permanently left on your body. It’s as if the people being tattooed are
nothing more than guinea pigs. It’s never guaranteed you will be given a good
tattoo, so why are people so willing to expose themselves? Then the drama
progresses when the human canvas now is left with a bad tattoo.
I personally enjoy the show, and congratulations
who wins Ink Master, you are now known as perfection of a tattoo artist, sorry
for everyone else who wasn’t as good and preformed bad work for the world to
see. As well as whoever is now left with a bad tattoo. But altogether the show
is highly enjoyable!!
Artist: Halo
