Portrait realism masterclass — for Chicago artists
A 3-day black & grey portrait-realism masterclass with Federico Galliani — built for Chicago tattoo artists who want their portraits to still read in ten years. Milwaukee, October 6–8, 2026. Ten spots.
Getting to Milwaukee from Chicago
From Chicago it's about 87 miles / a 90-minute drive north up I-94 to Hales Corners. O'Hare (ORD) is roughly 77 miles from the venue if you're connecting a flight.
The venue is SOL Studios, 11000 W Janesville Rd, Hales Corners WI 53130 — in the south-west Milwaukee metro, about 20 minutes from Milwaukee Mitchell airport (MKE). And the masterclass lands the weekend of the Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Convention (Oct 9–11) — one trip covers both.
Why Chicago artists come to this masterclass
Chicago has one of the deepest black & grey realism scenes in the Midwest — and Federico has taken a first place at a Chicago convention.
This isn't a seminar you sit and watch. It's ten artists, three days, hands-on — the kind of specialized black & grey training that's hard to find anywhere, let alone within reach of Illinois.
What you'll learn in three days
Day 1 — Foundations
The grey-wash system from the ground up: reading reference, value and tone mapping, mixing black with water, machine and needle setup, and building contrast that survives healing.
Day 2 — Live demonstration
Federico tattoos a full portrait in front of the group, narrating every decision — layering, saturation, skin tones, highlights.
Day 3 — Supervised practice
You work on synthetic skin under Federico's direct supervision, with real-time feedback on your dilution, needle angle and pressure.
Full breakdown: the craft & curriculum →
Built to heal — not just to photograph fresh
The whole method is longevity-first: greys made from black diluted with water, opaque darks, protected highlights, values spaced so the face still separates once the tattoo settles. That's the difference between a portrait that looks great on day one and one that still reads in ten years. Read the method: grey wash that heals →
Your instructor
Federico Galliani — "Portrait KID" — is an Italian black & grey portrait specialist, co-owner of White Label Tattoo, twelve years in, award-winning on the U.S. convention circuit with first places in Baltimore and Chicago and roughly twenty U.S. conventions behind him. Taught in English.
What's included
- Full workstation, ready when you arrive
- Premium ink and grey-wash sets
- Synthetic practice skin for Day 3
- A live model demo on Day 2
- Catering across all three days
- Certificate of completion
You bring only your machine.
The details
$500 deposit holds your spot · the $1,500 balance isn't due until Sept 6, 2026 — no interest, no fees. If your application isn't accepted, every cent back immediately. Only 6 of 10 spots left.
Chicago — questions
How do Chicago artists get to the masterclass?
From Chicago it's about 87 miles / a 90-minute drive north up I-94 to Hales Corners. O'Hare (ORD) is roughly 77 miles from the venue if you're connecting a flight.
What level is it for?
Intermediate and advanced tattoo artists who already tattoo and want to specialize in black & grey portrait realism. Taught in English.
How much is it and how do I hold a spot?
A $500 deposit holds one of the 6 spots still open (4 of 10 are already taken); the $1,500 balance is due by Sept 6, 2026 — no interest, no fees. Apply here.
Can I do the Milwaukee convention too?
Yes — the masterclass runs Oct 6–8, the days before the Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Convention (Oct 9–11). One trip, both.
Traveling from somewhere else?
See all cities → · or go straight to the main site.
Last updated October 2026.