Born in Barcelona and now based in Ibiza, Belén Arilla Martínez, better known as Belén Inktattoo, has built a strong reputation for her refined work in Black and Grey Realism. With a background in drawing and airbrushing, she brings to the skin a unique control of light, shadow, and detail — transforming portraits, symbolic imagery, and sculptural subjects into living works of art.
From her studio “Blinkk Tattoo Gallery” in Ibiza, Belén welcomes an international clientele and regularly travels across Europe for conventions and guest spots. Her journey — marked by discipline, emotion, and a deep respect for the craft — has made her one of the most distinctive voices in contemporary realism, blending Spanish roots with global vision.
Hi Belén, where are you from and where do you live now?
I was born in Barcelona, a city that shaped my creative side from an early age. Surrounded by art, history, and culture, I started drawing and airbrushing when I was very young. That combination of technique and imagination became the foundation of my path in tattooing. Today, I live and work in Ibiza, where I run my studio Blinkk Tattoo Gallery. The island is not only home, it’s a crossroads where I meet clients from all over the world and develop new projects. From here, I also travel frequently to Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium for guest spots and conventions.
How long have you been part of the tattoo world?
I’ve been tattooing for eight years now. My background in drawing and airbrushing gave me a strong technical base from the very beginning, and that helped me stand out early in my career. After just a few years, I started attending major European conventions, and my work in black and grey colours quickly caught attention for its precision and balance. What began as a local experience soon became an international career, and today I’m proud to have clients and collaborations all around the world.
How did you first get into tattooing?
It was a natural step in my artistic journey. I had spent years focused on drawing and airbrushing, and I realized that skin could become the ultimate canvas — one that combines art and responsibility.
Tattooing challenged me in a completely new way.
You’re creating something permanent, something that becomes part of someone’s life. That awareness changed my whole perspective. From the beginning, I saw tattooing as a serious art form, not just a craft.
What have been the key milestones in your career so far?
Opening Blinkk Tattoo Gallery in Ibiza was definitely one of the most important moments. Having my own studio gave me independence and a space to express my vision. Another milestone has been my participation in major European conventions, which pushed me to grow and show my work internationally.
I’ve had the chance to collaborate with great artists and to refine my technique under pressure. In 2025, I was honored to be invited as a jury member at Costa Rica Expo Tattoo, one of the most important conventions in Latin America. That same year, I tattooed at the Toronto NIX Tattoo Convention, which was a huge experience for me. Both events made me realize how far my work had traveled and how valued black and grey realism is in the global scene.
Your style is Black and Grey Realism. How would you describe it to our readers?
For me, black and grey is all about balance, depth, and emotion. My approach is based on smooth transitions of light and shadow, but also on strong contrasts that make the tattoo powerful and long-lasting.
A good tattoo should look amazing the day it’s done — and just as beautiful many years later.
I build every piece with that in mind, working carefully on the tones and structure so that it ages perfectly. My background in airbrushing helps me create a sense of three-dimensionality that gives the tattoo life and volume.
Did you study in an art school? Drawing seems very important in your work.
I didn’t follow a traditional art school path, but I spent years training myself in drawing and airbrushing. Those disciplines taught me control — of gradients, textures, and light — which is essential in realism. For black and grey tattoos, drawing is everything. If your hand isn’t trained, the tattoo will never reach the right depth or emotion. I also studied photography and design, and those experiences influence my compositions and understanding of light and space today.
Are there particular subjects you love to work on?
Yes, portraits are my favorite. They are challenging but incredibly rewarding. In a portrait, every millimeter matters — a single misplaced shadow can change the entire expression. That level of precision fascinates me. I also enjoy working on sculptures, symbolic images, and natural elements. These subjects allow me to play with depth and texture, using my airbrush experience to make the image almost come alive. Traveling is another big source of inspiration — from architecture to street art, I absorb a lot from the places I visit for conventions or guest spots.
Where are you currently working?
I’m based in Ibiza, at Blinkk Tattoo Gallery in Playa d’en Bossa. It’s my main studio and a place where I welcome both local and international clients. At the same time, I regularly work as a guest artist in Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium, where there’s a great appreciation for black and grey realism. Traveling keeps me motivated and evolving — every culture and studio teaches me something new.
What are your next goals?
I want to continue growing by taking on larger and more narrative projects in black and grey. I’d like my tattoos to tell deeper stories, combining technique with emotion. In the next year, I’ll be focusing on Europe — especially Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium — but also planning collaborations and events in Costa Rica and Mexico. At the same time, I want to give back to the tattoo community by working as a jury member, mentor, and speaker.
Growth for me means not just improving my art, but also sharing what I’ve learned.
Tattooing has become so mainstream today. What do you think makes a true professional stand out?
I think it’s a mix of technical discipline, artistic vision, and integrity. Anyone can learn how to use a machine, but not everyone can create a tattoo that heals well, lasts for years, and still communicates emotion. Standing out means developing your own style and never compromising on quality. It’s also about respect — for the client, for their story, and for the craft itself. That’s what professionalism really means to me.
Would you like to close this interview with a final thought?
For me, tattooing isn’t just about creating images — it’s about transforming a story or a memory into something permanent. That’s a huge responsibility and a beautiful one. Today tattooing is recognized as a true art form worldwide, and I’m proud to be part of that evolution. My goal is to keep pushing the limits of black and grey realism, making each tattoo not only technically perfect but also emotionally powerful. And above all, I’m grateful — to my clients, colleagues, and everyone who supports my journey. Every tattoo I create is a small piece of that shared story.
