Large-Scale Tattoo Artist in Los Angeles

I’m Andrey Kolbasin, a tattoo artist based in Los Angeles. Large-scale tattoos have always been one of my favorite types of work. I enjoy creating full back tattoos, sleeves, leg pieces, and compositions that cover several areas of the body.

What I like about large projects is the opportunity to build an entire composition rather than work with one isolated image.

But having more space doesn’t automatically make a tattoo easier. In fact, there are more things to think about. Every element needs to connect, the proportions have to work with the body, and the whole tattoo should look balanced from different angles.

For me, that’s what makes large-scale tattooing interesting.
Large scale tattoo, female portrait upper arm tattoo framed by vivid red flowers, bright blue eyes and lush green leaves, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 940
Large scale tattoo, ornate religious back tattoo with praying female figure, radiant sun, decorative frame and warm sacred colorwork, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 941
Large scale tattoo, expressive elderly woman portrait tattoo with blue headscarf, raised hand and detailed warm skin tones on the upper arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 942
Large scale tattoo, blonde female portrait tattoo with slightly open lips, floral neck detail and soft painterly realism on the upper arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 943
Large scale tattoo, skull upper arm tattoo with abstract graphic elements, dark bone texture and muted blue-green accents, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 944
Large scale tattoo, colorful upper arm composition with female portrait, floral imagery and layered warm-toned illustrative details, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 945
Large scale tattoo, colorful full sleeve tattoo with female portrait, landscape scenery and layered botanical details across the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 928
Large scale tattoo, large Japanese warrior back tattoo with sword, armor, waves and detailed black and grey composition, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 929
Large scale tattoo, full leg tattoo with realistic eye, portrait elements, mechanical textures and layered color realism, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 930
Large scale tattoo, Madonna and child upper arm tattoo with golden halo, flowing robes and warm religious color shading, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 931
Large scale tattoo, Viking helmet and skull sleeve tattoo with Nordic ornament, metal textures and dark realism across the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 932
Large scale tattoo, massive full back tattoo with dark fantasy architecture, fiery red highlights and complex layered imagery, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 933
Large scale tattoo, large chest tattoo with winged figure, ornamental center composition and dramatic black and grey shading, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 934
Large scale tattoo, full leg tattoo with female figure, abstract red accents and layered illustrative details from thigh to ankle, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 935
Large scale tattoo, large thigh portrait tattoo with cinematic male face, dark shading and layered realistic details, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 936
Large scale tattoo, Asian female portrait tattoo with red makeup, dark hair and warm color realism covering the upper arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 937
Large scale tattoo, mythological male figure tattoo with sculptural face, floral elements and deep monochrome shading on the upper arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 938
Large scale tattoo, realistic owl upper arm tattoo with detailed feathers, bright eyes and green botanical accents, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 939

Large-Scale Tattoo Portfolio

Here you can see some of my larger tattoo projects, including full back pieces, sleeves, leg tattoos, and compositions combining realistic portraits with architectural, religious, historical, and fantasy imagery.

Some projects are done in black and grey, others in color. The approach depends on the idea, but the goal is the same: to make all the elements work together as one piece.
Large scale tattoo, full leg tattoo with layered portraits, dark fantasy imagery and vivid red-green color accents from thigh to ankle, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 958
Large scale tattoo, cinematic male portrait sleeve with gun, formal clothing and rich warm color realism across the upper arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 959
Large scale tattoo, massive back tattoo with roaring bear, mountain scenery and architectural elements in detailed black and grey realism, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 960
Large scale tattoo, dark flame leg sleeve with skull imagery, glowing orange fire and layered smoky textures from knee to ankle, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 961
Large scale tattoo, cinematic multi-character portrait sleeve with dramatic faces, red-blue highlights and layered storytelling across the forearm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 962
Large scale tattoo, abstract male portrait tattoo with blue facial tones, red geometric forms and expressive painterly shading on the upper arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 963
Large scale tattoo, large male portrait sleeve with layered character imagery, red accents and detailed color realism across the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 946
Large scale tattoo, full sleeve tattoo with abstract graphic elements, floral fragments and vivid red-yellow colorwork across the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 947
Large scale tattoo, large space-themed arm tattoo with glowing orange planet, dark horizon and atmospheric cosmic shading, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 948
Large scale tattoo, female portrait sleeve tattoo with red rose, ornamental face details and warm saturated realism on the upper arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 949
Large scale tattoo, colorful full arm composition with female portrait, floral elements and layered red-black illustrative details, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 950
Large scale tattoo, large realistic hands tattoo with dark shading, detailed fingers and chain bracelet across the forearm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 951
Large scale tattoo, full sleeve tattoo with layered female portrait, cool blue tones and vivid painterly details from shoulder to wrist, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 952
Large scale tattoo, masked female portrait sleeve tattoo with oversized red rose, dark eye band and saturated crimson shading on the forearm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 953
Large scale tattoo, abstract full leg tattoo with birds, organic textures and fragmented black and grey imagery from thigh to calf, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 954
Large scale tattoo, large medieval warrior back tattoo with castle architecture, battle imagery and detailed monochrome realism, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 955
Large scale tattoo, full sleeve tattoo with layered portraits, glowing orange accents and intricate dark fantasy details across the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 956
Large scale tattoo, realistic dog portrait tattoo with detailed fur, expressive eyes and warm natural shading on the forearm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 957
Large scale tattoo, cinematic Harry Potter portrait tattoo with round glasses, warm golden highlights and detailed fantasy colorwork on the forearm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 982
Large scale tattoo, massive elderly man back portrait with deeply weathered face, forest scenery and rugged black and grey realism, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 983
Large scale tattoo, colorful full leg tattoo with layered portraits, abstract imagery and vivid blue-red details from thigh to ankle, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 964
Large scale tattoo, dark armored warrior portrait tattoo with glowing red accents, helmet details and dramatic fantasy realism on the upper arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 965
Large scale tattoo, floral full sleeve tattoo with realistic roses, green leaves and soft layered botanical colorwork across the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 966
Large scale tattoo, roaring lion portrait tattoo with golden fur, open mouth and sunset landscape details on the forearm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 967
Large scale tattoo, black and grey mother and child portrait tattoo with intimate pose and layered realistic shading across the torso, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 968
Large scale tattoo, Viking warrior sleeve tattoo with multiple bearded portraits, Nordic imagery and dark monochrome realism across the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 969
Large scale tattoo, dark full sleeve tattoo with realistic portrait, smoky textures and layered atmospheric details across the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 970
Large scale tattoo, blindfolded female portrait sleeve tattoo with ornate details and dramatic black and grey shading on the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 971
Large scale tattoo, large full thigh tattoo with classical female figure, ornamental black linework and intricate illustrative composition, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 972
Large scale tattoo, fiery male portrait tattoo with dark facial streaks, orange-red highlights and intense cinematic realism on the upper arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 973
Large scale tattoo, dark male portrait sleeve tattoo with repeated face composition, muted green tones and layered realism across the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 974
Large scale tattoo, raven and skull leg sleeve with deep black shading, realistic portrait elements and dramatic monochrome composition, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 975
Large scale tattoo, realistic female portrait tattoo with jeweled headpiece, soft facial shading and floral accents on the upper arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 976
Large scale tattoo, ornamental full leg tattoo with eye motifs, intricate filigree and detailed black and grey shading from thigh to calf, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 977
Large scale tattoo, dark full sleeve tattoo with layered portraits, roses and cinematic black and grey imagery across the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 978
Large scale tattoo, football tribute back tattoo with player portrait, stadium imagery and fan composition in detailed black and grey realism, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 979
Large scale tattoo, soft female portrait tattoo with headscarf, facial markings and natural muted colorwork on the upper arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 980
Large scale tattoo, floral female portrait sleeve tattoo with roses, soft skin tones and layered botanical color realism across the arm, by Andrey Kolbasin, Los Angeles, 981

Planning a Large-Scale Tattoo

One of the most important parts of a big tattoo happens before the first session.

I start by looking at the idea and the area of the body we’re going to work with. A design for a full back needs a different approach than a sleeve or a full leg tattoo. The body isn’t a flat surface. Muscles, curves, and movement all affect the composition.

Sometimes a reference image looks perfect on a screen, but once you try to fit it onto the body, you realize certain elements need to move, become larger, or disappear completely. That’s normal. I prefer to solve those problems while planning the design rather than halfway through the tattoo.

I also think about where the main subject should be, how much space the background needs, and how the entire piece will look from a distance.

Full Back Tattoos
and Large Body Compositions

The back gives you a lot of space to work with. That makes it possible to create detailed scenes with several subjects, but it also means the composition needs to be carefully organized.

I’ve worked on large back tattoos featuring portraits, religious imagery, warriors, animals, and more complex scenes. With a full back piece, I pay attention to the overall shape of the design and how the main elements fit across the shoulders, spine, and lower back. Sometimes a large tattoo extends beyond the back onto other parts of the body. In that case, I have to think about how the composition continues and how everything connects.

One of the most demanding projects I’ve done was at the Milan Tattoo Convention in 2016. I worked on a massive black and grey composition covering my client’s back, buttocks, and the backs of his thighs. The main part featured three female portraits, with a skull composition extending onto both legs. We completed almost all of it within the first two days, with a short final session on the third.

At the time, I was really interested in pushing myself to work faster and bigger. Today, I approach things differently. I still enjoy ambitious projects, but I’m much more focused on the final result than on how quickly I can finish.

Full Sleeves and Large Leg Tattoos

Sleeves and leg pieces come with their own challenges. An arm or leg has a completely different shape from a back. The design needs to work as it wraps around the body, not just from one viewing angle.

If I’m working on a sleeve with several portraits or other elements, I think about how they connect before deciding where each one should go. I don’t like when a large tattoo looks like a random collection of separate images. Sometimes the best solution is to simplify the idea and give the main subjects more room.

A full leg tattoo needs similar planning. The composition has to move naturally from the thigh toward the knee, calf, and other areas.

If you’re interested specifically in arm projects, you can explore my tattoo sleeve portfolio.

Color and Black and Grey Large Tattoos

I work with both color and black and grey, and I enjoy the different possibilities each approach offers. With black and grey, I can focus on shadows, contrast, textures, and the overall atmosphere. Color gives me more opportunities to work with different lighting, materials, and stronger visual accents.

But when you’re working on a large area, consistency matters. The different sections should feel like they’re part of the same project, even when they’re completed during separate sessions. Sometimes I use a limited palette to keep the composition balanced. Other times, stronger colors are an important part of the idea.

You can see more examples on my black and grey tattoo page and in my color tattoo portfolio.

How Many Sessions Does
a Large Tattoo Take?

This is one of the questions I get from people planning bigger projects. The answer depends on the size, placement, complexity, and the amount of detail involved.

As a general estimate, a full sleeve usually takes around 5 to 8 sessions, while a full back piece can take approximately 5 to 10 sessions. Some projects take more time, especially when there are multiple portraits or very detailed backgrounds.

I work in full-day sessions, so it’s important to plan the project with enough time for each stage. I’d rather give a realistic estimate based on the actual idea than promise to finish a large tattoo within a certain number of days.

My Experience
With Large-Scale Tattoo Projects

Over the years, I’ve participated in international tattoo conventions, worked alongside artists from different countries, and received awards for my work. Those experiences have given me the opportunity to take on challenging projects and learn from other artists.

The Milan project was especially memorable because it showed me how much work was possible in a short time, but it also helped change the way I think about large tattoos today. Now, when I start a big project, I’m thinking about the finished composition first.

You can read more about my background on my About page and see my competition results on my tattoo awards page.

Planning a Large-Scale Tattoo
in Los Angeles?

If you’re thinking about getting a full back tattoo, sleeve, leg piece, or another large custom tattoo in Los Angeles, send me your idea. It helps if you include reference images, the area of your body you’d like to cover, and any existing tattoos that need to be considered.

You don’t have to know exactly how the final composition should look. We can discuss the idea, figure out what makes sense for the placement, and plan how to approach the project over multiple sessions.

You can contact me here to discuss your large-scale tattoo and book a consultation.

Frequently Asked Questions

A few common questions about full back tattoos, large-scale compositions, session planning, and getting started with a bigger project.

01

Large-Scale Tattoos

A full back piece usually takes around 5 to 10 sessions, depending on the design, coverage, and amount of detail. I work in six-hour full-day sessions. Before we start, I look at the entire project and give you a more realistic idea of how much time we'll need.

Yes, and that's one of the things I enjoy about large projects. The important part is making sure the images connect instead of looking like separate tattoos placed next to each other. Sometimes that means adjusting the size, changing the background, or removing a few details to make the whole composition stronger.

No. You can start with an idea, a few reference images, or even just a general direction. I'll help you figure out what works for the area you want to cover. For large tattoos, I prefer to plan the overall composition before starting, even if the project will take several sessions to complete.