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Caesar Figueroa Black & Grey Realism Tattoo Artist · Avondale, Arizona
Photorealistic portrait work, smooth grey-wash shading and custom sleeves — built one session at a time for clients across the West Valley and greater Phoenix.
- Black & grey realism
- Portrait tattoos
- Full & half sleeves
- Cover-ups & rework
- Animal portraits
Selected work
Skin, rendered
in graphite.
Every piece below is custom, freehand-adapted to the body, and tattooed in black and grey only — no color, no filters, no shortcuts.
Browse the full portrait, animal portrait and cover-up galleries, or follow along on Instagram.
How a piece gets made
Four steps, start
to healed.
Realism is planned work. Knowing the order keeps expectations, budget and healing on track.
Custom drawing
Your reference is redrawn for skin, not paper — contrast pushed, detail edited, composition fitted to the way the body actually moves.
Line and shade
Stencil placement gets approved before a needle touches skin. Large realism runs in booked sessions rather than one marathon sitting.
Aftercare and touch-up
You leave with written aftercare and a check-in. One complimentary touch-up within 90 days if the grey wash settles unevenly.
About the artist
A quiet room,
a long light,
and one style.
I'm Caesar Figueroa. I tattoo black and grey photorealism out of Avondale, Arizona — portraits, animal portraits, and large-scale sleeves built around real depth and real contrast.
Realism doesn't reward rushing. I take a limited number of clients so each piece gets the drawing time, the session length and the healing attention it needs. That's also why I only tattoo one style: it's the one I've spent years getting right.
If you're driving in from Phoenix, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Buckeye, Tolleson, Glendale or Surprise, the studio is an easy stop off the I-10.
- Black & greySingle specialty
- Custom onlyNo flash, no repeats
- AZ licensedFully sterile studio
- By appointmentConsultations free
Common questions
Before you
book.
Straight answers on pricing, sessions, cover-ups and healing.
How much does a black and grey realism tattoo cost?
Realism is priced by session rather than by the piece, because detail and skin behaviour vary. Small work often finishes in one sitting; a sleeve or back piece is booked across several. You'll get a session estimate and a realistic total after I see your references, placement and size — no surprises on the day.
Do you require a deposit?
Yes. A deposit holds your date and goes toward your final session. It covers the drawing time that happens before you ever sit down. Reschedules with reasonable notice keep the deposit; no-shows don't.
How long does a realism sleeve take?
Most full sleeves take multiple sessions spaced several weeks apart so each pass heals properly before the next. Trying to force it faster is the most common way good grey wash gets muddy.
Do you do cover-ups and reworks?
Yes — black and grey is well suited to covering older work. Send a clear, well-lit photo of the existing tattoo with your booking request. Some pieces need a few laser sessions first, and I'll tell you honestly if that's the case rather than promising a cover that won't hold up.
What makes a good reference photo for a portrait tattoo?
High resolution, strong directional light, and visible shadow detail in the face. Soft, flat or heavily filtered phone photos lose the contrast that realism depends on. Send several options if you have them — I'll tell you which will tattoo best.
Where are you located, and do you take walk-ins?
The studio is in Avondale, Arizona, minutes from the I-10 and easy to reach from Phoenix, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Buckeye, Tolleson, Glendale and Surprise. Work is by appointment only — use the booking form to get on the calendar.
How do I take care of it while it heals?
You'll leave with written aftercare specific to your piece. The short version: keep it clean, keep it lightly moisturised, don't pick, and stay out of pools and direct Arizona sun until it's fully settled. Sun is the fastest way to fade grey wash.
Visit the studio
Avondale,
Arizona.
Private, appointment-only, and set up for long realism sessions — good light, clean lines, no walk-in traffic.
Serving: Avondale · Goodyear · Litchfield Park · Buckeye · Tolleson · Estrella · Verrado · Glendale · Peoria · Surprise · Phoenix · Tempe · Chandler · the greater West Valley
- Studio
- INK HOUSE Tattoo Studio
725 N. Central Ave, Unit 105
Avondale, AZ 85323 - Call or text
- (480) 825-1047
- Enquiries
- Send a booking request
- Hours
- Tuesday – Saturday · 11am – 7pm
By appointment only - @caesarfigueroa_art