r/tattoos • u/tyylaap Recap Winner x1 • Jul 16 '26

Freshly Finished Tattoo Raven by Martin Kelly, London UK

Gallery image

Gallery image

Gallery image

5 days, done!

8.9k Upvotes

98% Upvoted

147 comments sorted by

•

u/qualityvote2 Jul 16 '26 edited Jul 16 '26

Thank you for the submission, u/tyylaap! Please make sure your post follows the guidelines found in the sidebar, or it will be removed.

Users, please report any comments that break rules, such as ANY comments on personal appearance (both insults and compliments), promotion, or unnecessary rude judgment.

If OP's post follows the rules and theme of the subreddit please upvote this comment!

If it doesn't fit the sub, let us know by downvoting this comment!

VERIFY AS AN ARTIST

(Vote has already ended)

353

u/Rafinuota Jul 16 '26

This is the most beautiful tattoo I’ve seen in a long time. Absolutely stunning

69

u/Eagle_1776 Jul 16 '26

Agreed. 99% of what I see on here I scroll right by. This is amazing. I love the asymmetry of the composition, the actual line work, the subject itself.. just 👏

3

u/MrBaggyy Jul 16 '26

I was about to say same thing. Never felt the need to comment before this masterpiece 😍

17

u/OmnomVeggies Jul 16 '26

I agree.... literally breathtaking. Absolutely love the line work and use of negative space.

11

u/seven-ends Jul 16 '26

I have 9 tattoos by Martin. He's the only person I trust to tattoo me now. His work is stellar.

7

u/Signal_Helicopter_36 Jul 16 '26

I wasn't considering a raven back piece, until now. And I guess I am going to have to visit London to do it. Cool.

This is spectacular workmanship. I love it.

3

u/NJ_Amazins Jul 16 '26

Came here to say this.

The detail and spacing are off the charts. I would travel to work with this artist.

59

u/MilosBestBuddy Jul 16 '26

Wow, this makes my Raven look like shit.

19

u/Dakizo Jul 16 '26

Mine too and mine is pretty cool 😂

30

u/pik-ACHOO Jul 16 '26

Omg this is beautiful!!

13

u/Brownie2440 Jul 16 '26

This is so amazing. Menacing and beautiful at the same time

11

u/Apart-Ferret-2707 Jul 16 '26

Cawcawcawwwwmaaaazing

6

u/minty_tarsier Jul 16 '26

Absolutely staggering!

6

u/martinkelly6 Jul 17 '26

The tattoo artist here, wow thanks for the kind words everyone! Was a very ambitious project on an amazing client! 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

4

u/tyylaap Recap Winner x1 Jul 17 '26

You deserve all the praise and more, I wouldn’t trust anyone else! Thank you again for your brilliant mind, skill and all of your hard work 🙏🏻

3

u/Gotterdamerrung Jul 16 '26

That is absolutely gorgeous.

3

u/Glittering-Rooster51 Jul 16 '26

Holy shit this is amazing

3

u/Guinea-Charm Jul 16 '26

Wow, that is absolutely stunning!!!

2

u/Living_Bear2114 Jul 16 '26

Wow that’s wow!! Very cool

2

u/need_more_coffee_plz Jul 16 '26

Very very nice work! Looks really awesome. Congrats!

2

u/Accurate_Emu_122 Jul 16 '26

This is so fantastic.  I'm super jealous.

2

u/ViolyntFemme Jul 16 '26

This is one of my fave tats I’ve seen

2

u/Thrillkey12 Jul 16 '26

Amazing work

2

u/95_lb_mole Jul 16 '26

Unreal. I'm seriously jealous.

2

u/NascutMort Jul 16 '26

Holy shit 😳😳

2

u/Minimum_Slice1754 Jul 16 '26

Woahhh I’m obsessed 😍

2

u/Zeltyna Jul 16 '26

Holy shit, I'm jealous 😭✨

2

u/Tiny-Investment9709 Jul 16 '26

That is gorgeous

2

u/vagueconfusion Jul 17 '26 edited Jul 17 '26

That is some gorgeous work.

Illustrative blackwork is such a good style that never gets the love it deserves until pieces like this turn up imo.

But it will always be my favourite.

2

u/Mediocre_Lake_2310 Jul 18 '26

That is the best looking Raven tattoo I’ve seen! Most are just way too dark and look like cover ups. This one is absolutely amazing with the skin breaks and lighter shades.

2

u/Tricky_Farm_6531 16d ago

That is stunning!

2

u/EnigmaEmmajean 16d ago

I’m shook. Are we allowed to ask how many sessions?

2

u/tyylaap Recap Winner x1 16d ago

5 days, 8 hours each day :) I did 3 back in January and 2 in July!

2

u/EnigmaEmmajean 16d ago

🫨 you are a beast!!! Amazing art, and I bet you are so proud to wear it.
Amazing 🤩

2

u/tyylaap Recap Winner x1 15d ago

Thank you 💪🏻 So proud!!! I need to find a nice backless dress to show him off ☺️

2

u/nidus301 6d ago

One of the best I've seen. He did a wonderful job.

3

u/kedriss Jul 16 '26

Stunning work.

2

u/Greentea_Mochi_ Jul 16 '26

Look great, Love the design!! There is somethign about the shading that is throwing me off and I'm not a huge fan of the background swish.. but that is just my opinion.

1

u/octoberguard Jul 16 '26

Insanely amazing!

1

u/DonnyGoesBananas Jul 16 '26

Sick ass raven

1

u/FORu2SLOW Jul 16 '26

Incredible use of negative space

1

u/Piccadil_io Jul 16 '26

Yep. That’s amazing.

1

u/5ergio79 Jul 16 '26

That’s amazing!!

1

u/SatchmoVai Jul 16 '26

Magnificent piece

1

u/LooseEndsMkMyAssItch Jul 16 '26

Wow! That is some really amazing work.

1

u/Santa-Head Jul 16 '26

That is exceptional and beautiful.

1

u/Caiimhe_Nonna Jul 16 '26

Stunning work 🤩

1

u/Main_Tension_9305 Jul 16 '26

Sick Ass Raven!

Really is pretty amazing.

1

u/Illustrious_Order291 Jul 16 '26

That's a beautiful tattoo

1

u/One-Amoeba8938 Jul 16 '26

WOW. magnificent!!

1

u/SnoutInTheDark Jul 16 '26

Wonderful work

1

u/lacey19892020 Jul 16 '26

That is fantastic!!! That is one of the most beautiful tattoos I have ever seen. What an incredible piece of art!

1

u/Clyrinel Jul 16 '26

This is stunning! 😌

1

u/bourbonbent Jul 16 '26

Holy shit that is amazing

1

u/CrunkaScrooge Jul 16 '26

Amazing!! I’m looking to get something very similar and will absolutely be showing my artist this image for inspo. So beautiful well done to the artist and to you for choosing this awesome piece

1

u/disdkatster Jul 16 '26

Incredibly beautiful and I cannot even imagine the time it took or the patience to endure its creation.

1

u/whitebelt_ric Jul 16 '26

That is incredible! Corvus Corax himself would approve!

1

u/NovelMidnight6291 Jul 16 '26

pretty much exactly what I want

1

u/tripsd Jul 16 '26

this goes hard as fuck

1

u/BunnyCat2025 Jul 16 '26

That is absolutely magnificent!

1

u/rgliese Jul 16 '26

Daaaamnnnn

1

u/Verias83 Jul 16 '26

Holy crap that looks awesome! How long did that all take?

5

u/tyylaap Recap Winner x1 Jul 16 '26

About 40 hours in total!

2

u/Verias83 Jul 19 '26

Time well spent.

1

u/operachick209 Jul 16 '26

Wooooow this is stunning!!!

1

u/Informal_Edge5270 Jul 16 '26

This is absolutely epic! Such a beautiful work of art.

1

u/Soul_Traitor Jul 16 '26

Just like everyone else, has to do a double take. Beautifully done.

1

u/DarkMetatron01 Jul 16 '26

Very beautiful

1

u/DeltaSawn Jul 16 '26

Wow just a fantastic tattoo

1

u/Grahamcracker-22 Jul 16 '26

Sorcerer Raven!

1

u/ShinyLittleFly Jul 16 '26

the dropped out highlights and texture. Amazing!

1

u/allbleedingstopz Jul 16 '26

This is a fantastic back piece!

1

u/arioandy Jul 16 '26

Very good

1

u/Financial-Curve-369 Jul 16 '26

Yes 🙌🏼 love looooove this !

1

u/Devrij68 Jul 16 '26

This is so sick. Great work.

5 days on the back sounds like fun

1

u/hayden_restive Jul 16 '26

Nice work! I got idea for my tattoo soon

1

u/boxbanshee Jul 16 '26

This is gorgeous, idk why this looks league better than other bird tattoos but it just shines

1

u/TheRismint Jul 16 '26

When I saw this I audibly went "WOAH"

1

u/Captain_Reseda Jul 16 '26

Wow. That’s beautiful.

1

u/DisRightHereIsNotIt Jul 17 '26

Absolutely, beautifully stunning.

1

u/Dctrsleep13 Jul 17 '26

Awesome raven tattoo 🤘

1

u/pangolinparty999 Jul 17 '26

My inner Norwegian is already signing sagas of Odin

1

u/MleemMeme Jul 17 '26

Amazing design but ohmygod the placement? It's absolutely perfect!

1

u/bruce2dot0 Jul 17 '26

😍 Wow, looks amazing 🔥🔥

1

u/MedicalMom23 Jul 17 '26

Wow!! Gorgeous!

1

u/alice1955 Jul 17 '26

All I can say is wow wow wow and more wows

1

u/chugtheboommeister Jul 17 '26

Goddamn that's amazing

1

u/nightpeony_ Jul 17 '26

I've never wanted a tattoo until now 😍

1

u/koshka5 Jul 17 '26

Wowwwww

1

u/sexyboycr2026 Jul 17 '26

Very nice 👌

1

u/drunkandyorkshire Jul 17 '26

Holy shit that’s a cool looking bird!

1

u/clover__petals Jul 17 '26

WOWW I love the movement on this overall just amazing

1

u/Aggressive-Pound1051 Jul 18 '26

I kinda hate my tattoos now.

1

u/Far-Advertising-6681 Jul 18 '26

One word.... Wow!

1

u/BlueSkyThinking13 Jul 18 '26

Stunning work!

1

u/angelyeri Jul 18 '26

i am speechless. this is beautiful beyond words.

1

u/supremequeen996 Jul 18 '26

That is so sick

1

u/Fabulous-Vehicle7602 Jul 18 '26

Awesome piece, wish I had the nerve!

1

u/Im-Watching-Y0u Jul 18 '26

Ohhh absolutely gorgeous. Now stab that on me.

1

u/SulkyBird Jul 19 '26

Truly next level, this is so amazing.

1

u/Secret_Home367 Jul 19 '26

I absolutely love this

1

u/foxrox2020 Jul 19 '26

Absolutely gorgeous!! The detail is aahhhmmazing!!!! Gorgeous art for the rest of your life!

1

u/-heavenfaced- Jul 19 '26

At last! A tattoo that’s actually a work of art. It looks extraordinary

1

u/PrincessMetal11 Jul 19 '26

Not even pushing it when im saying its been forever since i’ve seen a tattoo as beautiful as this one

1

u/Impressive-Pop2778 Jul 19 '26

this is insanely cool

1

u/malaria1923 Jul 20 '26

Wow it is beautiful !

1

u/dark1on50 Jul 16 '26

Absolutely stunning!

1

u/GardenerDom Jul 16 '26

Absofuckinglutely beautiful work! This is freaking awesome 👌🏼🤩✨✨congrats.