Being a Brazilian tattoo artist means embracing versatility and continuous experimentation. Renan Batista embodies this philosophy perfectly, blending realism, abstraction, and organic flow to create unique and dynamic compositions.
Originally from Blumenau, Brazil, he now works in Berlin at the renowned Der Grimm Tattoo studio. In this interview for Tattoo Life, Renan shares his journey, his deep connection with nature, and his approach to colour and composition in Neo-Traditional tattooing.
Hi Renan, welcome to Tattoo Life. Can you tell us about your origins and artistic journey?
I started tattooing in the south of Brazil, in a city called Blumenau, where kids grow up learning German in school and people celebrate the biggest Oktoberfest outside Germany. Not the most tropical Brazilian setting, but hey, life’s full of contrasts.
How did you get into the world of tattooing?
I got my first tattoo when I was 21. I was so fascinated that I asked the tattooer if he could teach me. He said no. That was all the fuel I needed. I went home, bought a machine, and started inviting my friends over to get tattooed.
They knew my drawings and were crazy (or supportive) enough to trust me.
If it weren’t for them, I wouldn’t have made it, because back then, the tattoo scene was way tougher to break into.
Where are you from and where do you currently work? Do you have your own studio, or do you work as part of a team?
I’m from the south of Brazil and currently work in Berlin at Der Grimm. I’m always on the road, guest spotting and hitting tattoo conventions worldwide.
Can you tell us more about the shop and its location?
Der Grimm is one of the biggest studio in Europe—not just in terms of infrastructure but in the depth of teamwork and collaboration. Being there has helped me grow in ways I never expected.
What are the subjects you love tattooing the most? Are there recurring elements in your work that you feel particularly connected to?
Nature, fauna, and flora, always. And when it comes to backgrounds, I work with an abstract flow that echoes fire, water, clouds—organic elements that carry movement and energy.
Colour is a fundamental element in your tattoos. How do you choose your colour palette, and which tones do you prefer to use?
I’m a big fan of warm colours, at least for the foreground elements. My backgrounds are always in black and grey, leaning toward cooler tones, so I balance that with warm hues—oranges, yellows, reds. Even my brownish tones are built from those. It’s all about contrast, tension, and harmony.
There is a unique balance between realistic details and stylization in your tattoos. How do you find the right harmony between these elements?
It all starts with the body. The natural flow of muscles and movement determines the structure of the background and, ultimately, how much realism a piece can carry. It’s a dance—it begins and ends with the body itself.
In your opinion, what are the most important aspects of making a Neo-Traditional tattoo powerful and long-lasting over time?
Black. If the composition isn’t strong in black, it won’t hold. Colour fades, trends shift, but if a tattoo doesn’t work in its black foundation, it’s not a game worth playing. Details, textures, hyper-realism—none of that matters if there’s no solid foundation.
A tattoo should look just as powerful in 20 years as it does fresh. If not, it was never built to last.
We often see references to the natural and animal world in your work. What fascinates you about these subjects, and how do you interpret them in your style?
I’m Brazilian. As cliché as it sounds, I was raised in a place where nature is intense—forests, waterfalls, beaches, animals, plants—all thriving in colour and movement. Maybe it’s the sun that makes everything shine brighter, taste better, feel more alive. Even in the south, where winters can get cold, the trees stay green and the sun still finds a way through. I guess I see nature through the eyes of that sunny kid—full of life, never still.
Are you experimenting with new techniques or stylistic directions in your work?
Always. Being a Brazilian tattoo artist means being versatile—it’s in our DNA. Lately, I’ve been experimenting with black and grey, and I’m pushing more into freehand abstract flow. Eventually, merging it all will be interesting—abstract compositions with just the right touch of realism, like adding flowers or natural elements for depth.
Do you want to add something and greet our readers?
It’s a huge honour to be here. Tattoo Life Magazine has been an inspiration since my early days in Brazil. Now, living in Europe and having grown so much in my craft, I see it as my turn to share and give back to tattooing—because it has given me so much. Thanks for reading, and see you out there!
