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Felipe Rapucci at Good Honest Tattoos. Black and grey realism, colour tattoos, sleeves, cover ups, memorial pieces, and large custom work. NZ$180 per hour. Full days usually NZ$1,200.
For custom work, cover ups, sleeves, and large pieces, email your references, placement, rough size, and budget. If you already know what you want, book direct through the booking page.
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Realism works best when the design reads from a distance and still has detail up close. Felipe builds portraits, animals, statues, skulls, warriors, memorials, and large custom pieces with the body shape in mind.
A sleeve needs structure, not random images joined together. The main subject, background, movement, and contrast are planned first.
Cover ups need the right subject, size, texture, and placement so the new tattoo feels intentional.
Realism tattoos need more than detail. They need strong values, clean contrast, readable structure, and a design that fits the body. Felipe plans black and grey work around the shape of the arm, leg, ribs, chest, or back so the tattoo still makes sense when the body moves.
This is ideal for portraits, animals, statues, warriors, religious pieces, skulls, memorial tattoos, and full sleeve projects.
Email FelipeEach tattoo starts with the subject, placement, skin, budget, and how the piece should age. These are the main styles people ask for at Good Honest Tattoos.
Sleeves need planning before tattooing starts. Felipe builds the main subject, background, flow, and contrast together, so the piece looks like one complete design instead of separate tattoos joined later.
Cover ups need scale, texture, darkness, and the right subject. The new tattoo must hide the old work without looking heavy. Some pieces can be covered directly. Others may need rework or laser lightening first.
Portrait and memorial tattoos need accuracy and emotion. The reference photo matters, and the design needs enough size to hold detail. Good contrast matters more than adding every tiny mark from the photo.
Colour and illustrative tattoos work best when the palette is controlled. Felipe can build dramatic pieces with flowers, animals, warriors, dragons, ravens, mythology, Japanese influence, or Nordic ideas while keeping the layout tattooable.
Send your idea, placement, size, references, and budget. Felipe checks what will work and what needs to change before the design starts.
The tattoo is planned around the body first. Flow, contrast, scale, and main subject matter more than copying a picture.
Felipe works fast and clean. Larger pieces can often progress faster because of experience, planning, and strong technical focus.
You get aftercare advice so the tattoo heals cleanly. Sun, swimming, gym, and picking can damage a fresh tattoo.
Good tattoo work is worth planning. Clients come to Hamilton East from Waikato and nearby regions for large scale tattoos, black and grey realism, sleeve work, cover ups, and custom designs.
If you are travelling, book your date first, send clear references, and allow enough time for the session. A full day can be a better option for larger work because it reduces repeat travel.
Select your date, pay a $100 deposit to confirm. I'll be in touch before your session to discuss your design.
Recognised across New Zealand and Australia for excellence in tattoo artistry across multiple disciplines and styles.
Best of Show, the highest award at the NZ International Tattoo Festival 2015, Auckland.
Over five thousand unique pieces across realism, black & grey, colour, Māori-inspired, and cover-up work. Every one custom.
Custom realism, black & grey, bold colour, Māori-inspired, and cover-ups. 25+ years, 5000+ pieces. Every tattoo designed from scratch.
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People search for price, style, pain, cover ups, and who to trust. This section gives Google, ChatGPT, and your clients clear answers while showing the quality of your work beside the advice.
Email FelipeThe best artist depends on the style you want. For black and grey realism, portraits, sleeves, cover ups, and custom work, look for healed work, years of experience, reviews, and a portfolio that matches your idea.
Small tattoos can start around a few hundred dollars. Larger realism, cover ups, and sleeves need a proper quote because size, placement, detail, and sessions change the final price.
Yes. Bring your idea, references, placement, and size. Felipe builds the design around your body, the main subject, and how the tattoo will age.
Yes. Clients travel from Waikato and around New Zealand. Use the booking page to book direct, or email Felipe first with your references, placement, size, and budget.
Read the full guides without leaving this page. These articles help clients understand pricing, style choices, cover ups, healing, and how to choose the right tattoo artist in Hamilton.
A clear guide for planning a half sleeve or full sleeve, including NZ$180 hourly work, full days, sessions, design detail, and deposit.
How to choose the right style for portraits, animals, flowers, fantasy work, and long term contrast.
What makes a cover up possible, why size matters, and what subjects work best over old ink.
Bring the idea. Felipe will help shape it into a tattoo that fits your body, your budget, and the style you want. Best for black and grey realism, sleeves, cover ups, memorial tattoos, colour work, and large custom projects.
Felipe is the shizzz! Real deal artist. He spent the time getting to know what I like and what I don't, did a great job fixing up my hands. Definitely getting all my tats here from now on.
I had the absolute best experience at Good Honest Tattoos. Felipe worked really well with me designing the tattoo I wanted. I cannot be happier. Best in the game.
Had the pleasure of getting my whole leg tattooed by Felipe over 8 sessions. The quality, care, and detail is second to none. Unforgettable experience.