Elevating Tattooing and Mentoring the Next Generation | Yomico Moreno | EP 302
Elevating Tattooing and Mentoring the Next Generation | Yomico Moreno | EP 302
Hey everbody! Jake just wrapped up an incredible conversation with Yomico Moreno that had me thinking about what it really means to elevate this craft we all love. This dude's perspective on mentoring, color theory, and keeping your artistic soul intact in a world full of shortcuts is exactly what our community needs to hear right now. We dove deep into everything from the Richmond Tattoo and Arts Fest to why limiting your color palette might actually unlock your creativity. Trust me, this episode is packed with wisdom that'll make you rethink how you approach your art and your career.
This episode was made possible thanks to:
This episode was ALSO made possible thanks to:
Interview by By Jake Meeks —
Writing By Daniel Pushcarich —
Topics: tattooing, mentoring, color theory, Richmond Tattoo and Arts Fest, teaching philosophy, photography technique, limited color palette, color mixing, artistic process, black and gray tattoos, technology in art, artistic identity, drawing skills, unique style, seminars, artist development, celebrity tattooing, collaboration, time management, quality over speed
"For me, it's time for me to return something to the industry and be part of the positive change."
— Yomico
Yomico Moreno (@yomicoart) is a Venezuelan tattoo artist who began his career in 2005 and now resides in New York City. His international breakthrough came in 2010 when he won awards at the International Tattoo Convention in Denmark, leading to recognition across Europe, Central America, and South America. In 2015, he joined the prestigious Last Rites Theater in Manhattan, working alongside renowned artist Paul Booth. A year later, he co-founded The Rat Pack crew, which dominated international conventions including winning Best of Show at the London International Convention in 2016 and first place at the Golden State Expo in 2018.
In 2019, Yomico opened 1983 Art Studio in Brooklyn, which has hosted prominent industry artists and become a hub for tattoo artistry. His work has gained mainstream media attention from outlets like MTV, CNN, New York Post, and Daily Mail. Notable collaborations include working with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson in 2020 for the documentary "Evolution of the Bull," and becoming the only tattoo artist invited to the Latin Grammys in 2021. His celebrity clientele includes Juanes, Residente, Wisin, and Canserbero, establishing him as one of the most recognized artists in the tattoo industry who continues to innovate and develop new projects from his New York City base.
Yomico is based in Brooklyn, NY, and owns/tattoos at 1983 Art Studio.
Please enjoy!
INTERVIEW LINKS, MENTIONS, AND SHOW NOTES BELOW…
SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE
Connect with Yomico:
@Yomicoart | Yomicoart.com | 1983 Art Studio
SHOW NOTES
[00:00] Location and Podcast Announcement
[00:14] Insights on the Tattoo Community and Guest Introduction
[00:42] Interview Highlights with Yommo
[02:36] Teaching Philosophy and Industry Contributions
[03:59] Photography and Technique Emphasis
[06:00] Color Theory and Simplification in Tattooing
[09:09] The Importance of a Limited Color Palette in Tattoos
[11:18] Understanding Color Mixing in Tattooing
[16:30] Educating Others on Color Theory
[18:30] Artistic Process and Evolution
[20:40] The Importance of Taking Risks
[22:58] The Use of Technology in Artistic Creation
[24:06] The Risk of Losing Artistic Identity
[27:56] The Role of Artistic Skill in Tattooing
[28:40] The Essence of Artistic Expression
[29:50] The Importance of Unique Style
[33:12] Seminars and Artist Development
[36:45] The Artistic Journey and Challenges
[37:41] Language Learning and Cultural Immersion
[40:51] Self-Learning and Artistic Development
[44:41] Connection Through Tattoos and Celebrity Experiences
[46:32] Challenges of Working with Celebrities
[47:08] Importance of Time in the Tattooing Process
[47:53] Quality Over Speed in Artistry
[49:58] Collaboration and Planning in Tattooing
Mastering Color Theory Through Strategic Limitation
One of the most eye-opening parts of this conversation was Yomico breaking down his approach to color in tattooing - the guy works with just 12 core colors and creates magic with them. He explains how "nothing is pure black, nothing is pure blue, nothing is pure yellow" because he's constantly mixing colors directly on the skin to achieve that unique, textured look that makes his work stand out. The beauty of his system is that it's based on practicality - he narrowed it down to the inks that held up the longest and were easiest to work with, which is exactly the kind of smart thinking that separates pros from hobbyists. What really got me was his warning about mixing yellow with black (spoiler: it turns green), and how using complementary colors like purple can give you those darker tones without killing the vibrancy of your original colors.
The Battle Between Technology and Authentic Artistry
Yomico Moreno brings up something that's been weighing on my mind - how technology is changing the game for tattoo artists, and not always in the best ways. He talks about experimenting with paint mapping apps and AI tools, but warns that when we let machines do the creating for us, we lose what makes us artists in the first place. The dude's got a point when he says "if we give that opportunity to the machine, we lose the opportunity to create or develop our own style."
What hits hard is his observation about how the industry is getting flooded with cookie-cutter designs because everyone's using the same digital shortcuts. Yomico emphasizes that true artistry comes from personal interpretation and having something meaningful to say through your work. He's not against using technology - he'll use AI and stencils when it makes sense - but he keeps his creative voice at the center of everything he does.
The reality check he gives about drawing skills really resonates too - "no reason you should try to tattoo stuff that you can't draw." Technology can assist us, but it can't replace the fundamental skills that make us artists. Yomico's approach is all about finding that balance where you use tech as a tool without letting it define your artistic identity or do the heavy lifting that should come from your own creativity and skill.
MORE Yomico QUOTES FROM THIS INTERVIEW
The Role of Artistic Skill in Tattooing
[27:56] "No reason you should try to tattoo stuff that you can't draw."
— Yomico Moreno
Self-Learning and Artistic Development
[40:51] "You can go to the biggest art school in the world, but if you don't practice every day, it means nothing."
— Yomico Moreno
Gallery Of YOMICO
This episode was made possible thanks to:
This episode was ALSO made possible thanks to:
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