Tattoo Techniques: Smashin Mags with Mattlock Lopes EP 260

Smashin' Mags with Mattlock Lopes | EP 260

In this interview Jake and Mattlock have a roller coaster of a conversation. From Mattlock’s bumpy road into tattooing, to different techniques and approaches, their theories about tattoo science, all the way through client experience. They jump around a bit at times, but we really think there’s a ton of good information to be pulled from this episode.

We really hope you enjoy this wide ranging conversation with Mattlock Lopes!

This episode was made possible thanks to:

Changes in Latitudes, Changes in Attitudes - Take a Dip with Jake

Interview By Jake Meeks —

Writing By Daniel Pushcarich -

Topics: Tattoos, Tattoo Machines, Differences between coils and rotary tattoo machines, tattoo techniques, Tattooing different types of skin, evolution of tattoo ink manufacturing, tattoo styles

“No one has to know about Machine Gun magazine, but if you have it, read it. You should read it so that you know how to cook a burrito in an autoclave. Right.”

— Mattlock Lopes

Mattlock Lopes (@mattlock_lopes_tattoos) is an award winning tattoo artist specializing in painterly realism. Adding his own unique flair to every tattoo, all of his art is always undeniably one of his original creations. He is often sought out for his creativity and individual approach, striving to give you a tattoo like none other. If you’re looking for a one of a kind tattoo that is sure to get you stopped on the street by other tattoo enthusiasts, look no further. -Bio pulled from INKcredible Tattoo website

Mattlock is based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and tattoos at INKcredible tattoo.

Please enjoy!

rocket astronaut sleeve tattoo

INTERVIEW LINKS, MENTIONS, AND SHOW NOTES BELOW…

SELECTED LINKS FROM THE EPISODE

Connect with Mattlock Lopes:

INKredible Tattoo Profile | @mattlock_lopes_tattoos

Golden State tattoo Convention
Reinventing the tattoo - Use Code “Fireside”
Joshua Carlton book
Neuma 4 (Neuma Tattoo) - Use Code “Fireside”
Kwadron Needles and tattoo
TatSoul
FK Irons Exo

demon back piece by mattlock lopes

SHOW NOTES

[01:37] The Story of “Mattlock Lopes: Tattoo Detective”
[04:22] Tattooing is… not like Riding a bike.
[04:45] Continuing “The Rise of Mattlock”
[12:03] On Tattoo Approach
[13:37] On Tattoo Style
[15:25] The Evolution in Tattooing Technologies
[17:19] How to Cook a Burrito in an Autoclave
[19:02] Going against Conventions in Tattooing
[20:29] Different Approaches to Black and Grey Tattooing
[22:34] Experimentation and Comfort Zones
[23:48] Ideas about Stroke and Needle Depth
[27:08] The Mechanics of Getting Ink in Skin
[30:53] Do YOU Smash your Mags?
[32:07] Story of the Little Mag that Could
[33:50] “I always say, like, tattoos are like a scar”
[35:20] Mattlock gives the dirty deets about Fireside Tattoo Network!!!
[37:05] Tattoo Science! Jake and Mattlock go deeper on needle vacuum
[39:28] Damaged Skin and Ways to Work it
[43:24] More Tattoo Science?! Mattlock talks Aftercare.
[45:40] Evolution in Tattoo Ink Manufacturing
[48:00] Methods of the Great Nick Baxter
[52:39] Mattlock’s Bag of Tricks: Tips for Tattooing Darker Skin

MORE MATTLOCK QUOTES FROM THIS INTERVIEW

[12:03] On Tattoo Approach “...and Gogue was pretty much like…’I’m either going to do this or nothing’...and I kind of heard that, and I was like, okay cool so I’m going to do that. So, I always feel like whatever you’re good at, whether it’s packing black, pulling lines, whatever that one thing is, do it everywhere.”

— Mattlock Lopes

[13:37] On Tattoo Style “when people tell me what I do, I’m like really? I’m just doing a bad version of realism. I like photo manipulated this thing, and I’ve tried my hardest to, like, use what I think is the right approach…and it turns out this is my style. And when people ask me like, how do you find your style? It's like, how did you draw before tattooing? And then if you just did that and found a way to apply that, you're going to have a style.”

— Mattlock Lopes

[20:29] Different Approaches to Black and Grey Tattooing

[27:08] “Yeah, it's a vacuum. I found out that now it's a ratio… you almost want it going in slower and retracting faster. But then with taper from my understanding... in other countries people use medium tapers for color and...a long taper is for black and gray.”

— Mattlock Lopes

[33:50] “I always say, like, tattoos are like a scar, you know, some scars you have that you want to tell me the cool story about your cinder block with the board that you jump with your bike and there's some scars you don’t want to talk about. Yeah, And tattoos are the same.You know, I have tattoos that I won't tell you did the tattoo because I want you to be a victim. Yeah. You know, it's like linked to the experience.”

— Mattlock Lopes

[39:28] Damaged skin and how to work with it.

[52:39] Mattlock’s bag of trick’s: Tips for Tattooing Darker Skin

PEOPLE MENTIONED

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Transcript for this video can be found (here). All transcripts can be found (Here)

(Update when transcript page is made)

The Fireside Tattoo Network is home to the Fireside podcast, Fireside Technique video series and our Fireside Weekly blog.

The Fireside Tattoo podcast is hosted by veteran tattooer Jake Meeks, check out our episodes where we discuss, argue and wax philosophical, from tips for all levels of artists to trends in the tattoo world. Many guest artists have sat down for interviews and in-depth conversations and many more are planned…check back often!

Our Fireside Tattoo Overview video series offers informative, short, and detailed videos geared towards helping artists understand the science and nuances of tattoos and make more informed decisions to improve their work. We often take some of our more technical topics from our Fireside podcast and film an in-depth, narrated, time-lapse video showing exactly how Jake or our featured artists handle certain issues.

Support us while buying the stuff you need at the links below!

Get 10% off the Neuma 4 with code “Fireside” at checkout
https://neumatattoo.com
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https://s8tattoo.com/
TattooNOW Website and Automation services at the link below
https://TattooNOW.com/Fireside
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https://rawpigments.co/

Tattoo Techniques

Tattoo technique is, no doubt, an art of its own. Like any skill or trade, tattooing has been closely guarded by tattooers throughout modern history. We take a different approach here at Fireside. Our goal is to embrace the information age by making a conscious effort to help artists of all skill levels solve their technical tattoo challenges.

We'll touch on topics like: