Interview with Roman Zao: Master of Black & Grey Realism

Today, we’re excited to be speaking with Roman Zao, a phenomenal tattoo artist whose mastery of realism, black & grey, and experimental styles has captivated tattoo enthusiasts worldwide.

Originally from Russia and now a resident artist at Sasha Tattooing Gallery in Los Angeles, Roman has been perfecting his craft since 2014, creating breathtakingly realistic tattoos that blend traditional, masculine, and horror-inspired imagery. 

Now with over 10,000 followers on Instagram, Roman is becoming increasingly popular, especially due to his “black and blue” sleeves that incorporate bright colors into dark pieces creating a novel look for his work, almost as if recreating the trash polka style into a new blueish straight look.

With a deep-rooted love for graffiti and an exclusive focus on custom tattoos, Roman takes every project as a chance to craft something one-of-a-kind. His pieces often feel alive due to the combination of compositions with incredible attention to detail.

Let’s dive into his artistic journey, the influences that shape his distinctive approach, and what’s next for this powerhouse of realism tattooing.

So Roman, What inspired you to become a tattoo artist?

I’ve been drawing since childhood, and by the time I got into tattooing, I was already fully immersed in sketching, painting, and mural art. What captivated me most about tattooing was the idea that the design or art piece could live longer than one on a wall or canvas and hold deep meaning for the person wearing it. It’s the concept of preserving art through time—a living art on a living canvas.

And how did your journey in tattooing begin?

My journey into tattooing started in 2014. That year, I was painting and decorating the interior of a tattoo shop in my own town, and after a couple of months, they invited me to apprentice there. Just two weeks later, I became a tattoo artist. That’s how my path in tattooing began. The transition from paper and pencil to tattooing was quite natural since the same principles of composition, light and shadow, and structure apply. I was excited to master another artistic skill—tattooing.

From what we know, you’ve been tattooing since 2014. How has your style evolved over the years?

Over the years, my style has undoubtedly changed a lot. Like most artists, I started with simple black-and-gray graphic designs, gradually moving toward more realistic forms. I’ve always been drawn to realism and photorealism, and I’ve dedicated most of my tattoo career to this style. After a few years, I started experimenting with shapes, incorporating abstract watercolor elements, focusing more on body geometry and form, and playing with color accents. I initially worked in the gray wash technique because it was highly popular at the time. Now, I lean toward a black-and-gray palette with subtle color accents.

Being originally from Russia and now based in Los Angeles, how has your environment influenced your work?

Honestly, everything around me—the cultural differences, interests, and even the physiological differences in skin types—has completely influenced my style, approach, and technique in tattooing. In Russia, the skin is a bit rougher and less dry due to climate differences, and tattoo ideas tend to be more reserved and personal. In the U.S., people are more open to different tattoo styles and eager to create something unique and experimental. They’re also much less afraid to get tattoos on visible parts of the body, as it’s more widely accepted by society here.

Can you explain your tattooing style to those who don’t know it?

Of course! I create custom, one-of-a-kind tattoos in a realistic style, using a black-and-gray palette with subtle color accents. I love working with portrait compositions and storytelling pieces—like full sleeves that depict a narrative or personal story. Most of my work consists of large-scale projects. My goal is to seamlessly integrate the tattoo into the body’s natural geometry, making it an organic extension of the person. I believe tattoos should be unique and meant for one person only—no copies from the internet. That’s why I design each tattoo individually.

You have a background in graffiti, how does that influence your tattooing?

Graffiti has a direct impact on my creative development, especially in certain stylistic details in my tattooing. I create and refine most of my new forms on walls first, particularly abstract shapes and lines. It’s like my brain locks in the material I create on walls and later interprets it into tattoo designs over time.

Outside of tattooing, what are some things that fuel your creativity?

I draw a lot of inspiration from my surroundings, especially nature—forests, mountains, the ocean—there’s nothing more inspiring. I also love taking breaks from my routine by visiting contemporary art galleries. It’s impossible to be immersed in tattooing 24/7. The mind needs a reset and fresh air to find new forms and ideas for tattoo designs.

How do you see your tattoo art developing in the future?

I think the peak of my tattooing career will be shifting from realism toward more abstract forms, increasing the size of tattoos on the body, and working more with body geometry. Over the years, I’ve started to see tattoos differently—how they fit on the body, interact with movement. I want to move away from small details and toward larger, bolder elements. The future is all about complete creative freedom

What do you think separates a great tattoo artist from an average one?

Doubts—that’s the key difference, in my opinion. You can’t become a great artist or tattooist if you’re completely satisfied with your work. Perfection doesn’t exist, and the pursuit of it never stops. You have to constantly question your work in order to grow, experiment, and keep evolving.

That wraps up our conversation with Roman Zao, an artist whose dedication to realism, black & grey, and bold experimental tattooing is shaping the future of the industry. His ability to blend hyperrealistic detail with striking compositions makes his work truly one-of-a-kind.

If you want to see more of Roman’s incredible tattoos or book an appointment with him, make sure to follow him on Instagram.

Got any questions or want to be featured on Tattoos Wizard? Email us—we’d love to hear from you!

Stay tuned for more artist interviews, and until next time, keep collecting amazing ink!