Black & Gray Realism · New York City
MAX
DEMIAN
Portrait · Wildlife · Color · Custom Design
The Artist
THE MIND
BEHIND THE INK
Max Demian is New York City's premier Black & Gray Realism tattoo artist — based in SoHo at 132 Crosby St, 4th Floor. Known for portraits that carry emotional weight, wildlife that reads three-dimensional on skin, and large-scale compositions collectors return to session after session.
Every piece starts with a deep consultation. Max studies your reference, understands your vision, and builds a tattoo designed specifically for your body, your story, and a lifetime of wear.
More About Max →
SoHo
NYC
By Appt Only
Specialties
FOUR STYLES.
ONE ARTIST.
Black & Gray Realism
NYC SIGNATURE STYLE
Tonal depth that reads three-dimensional on skin. Portraits, wildlife, abstract — executed with precision and range.
- Portrait realism
- Wildlife & nature scenes
- Abstract B&G compositions
- Fine-line detail work
Color Realism
COLOR REALISM · MANHATTAN
Vibrant, saturated color work engineered to hold over time. Bold finish. Stunning from across the room.
- Floral & botanical
- Animal & wildlife color
- Fantasy & surrealism
- Full sleeve compositions
Custom Design
CUSTOM TATTOO ARTIST · SOHO NYC
Every project begins blank. Clients bring ideas — Max shapes them into a concept built for the body and the long-term vision.
- Full custom concept
- Multi-session collector pieces
- Body suit planning
- Reference elevation
Cover-Up Specialist
COVER-UP TATTOOS · NYC
NYC's choice for transforming unwanted tattoos. Strategic design, density work, and contrast — cover-ups that don't look like cover-ups.
- Full cover-up analysis
- Density & contrast work
- Color correction
- Rework & touch-up
The Work
PORTFOLIO
HIGHLIGHTS
A rotation of recent commissions. The full archive lives on the portfolio page — and the best pieces never make it online at all.
Browse the Collection
WORK BY STYLE
Studio Location
SOHO
NEW YORK
Address
132 Crosby St, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10012
SoHo · Downtown Manhattan
Nearest Subway
Spring St (C/E) · Broadway-Lafayette (B/D/F/M)
Prince St (N/R/W)
Booking Policy
By Appointment Only
Walk-ins are not accepted.
Response Time
Max responds within 48 hours. Spots are limited monthly.
Official Ink Partner
Raw
Pigments
Premium tattoo ink formulated for maximum tonal depth and realism longevity. The ink behind every shade in Max's work.
@rawpigments
Official Aftercare Partner
Hustle
Butter Deluxe
The industry gold standard for tattoo prep and healing. Trusted by elite artists worldwide — used in every session at the SoHo studio.
@hustlebutterdeluxe
Official Machine Partner
Hi Tattoo
Official
Precision tattoo machine engineering trusted by NYC's top artists. Built for the control and consistency that realism demands.
@hi_tattoo_official
Official Equipment Partner
LT Tattoo
Equipment
Professional-grade supplies built for artists who refuse to compromise. Every supply in the studio meets LT's standard.
@lt-tattooequipment
Before You Book
QUESTIONS
ANSWERED
Everything you need to know before booking your tattoo appointment at Max Demian's SoHo studio in NYC.
Nearest subway: Spring St (C/E), Broadway–Lafayette (B/D/F/M), Prince St (N/R/W). The studio is walkable from most of lower Manhattan and reachable in under 10 minutes from Midtown. Get Directions →
Black & Gray Realism — portraits, wildlife, architecture, fine detail work.
Color Realism — botanical, animals, and pieces with photographic depth and tonal range.
Custom Design — full collector pieces, body suits, multi-session builds. Every design starts from scratch.
Cover-Up Specialist — transforming unwanted tattoos into new work that doesn't look like a cover-up.
He does not take walk-ins, flash requests, or budget-first conversations. If your idea has depth, meaning, and a long-term vision — it's a fit. See All Services →
Step 1 — Fill out the booking form with your idea, placement, and references.
Step 2 — Max reviews your submission within 48 hours and follows up with design questions.
Step 3 — A deposit is collected to lock your date. No deposit = no confirmed spot. Deposits are non-refundable but transferable to a rescheduled date with notice.
Step 4 — Show up. Sign the consent form. Get tattooed at one of NYC's most private, premium studios.
Spots fill monthly. The earlier you submit, the better. Book Now →
Small pieces (under 4 inches): 2–3 hours
Medium pieces (4–7 inches): 4–6 hours
Large / detailed work: 6–8 hours, often split across two sessions
Collector pieces / sleeves / back panels: Multi-session builds — planned in phases over weeks or months
Max will set realistic expectations during your consultation before any deposit is collected.
For traveling clients:
• Book at least 3–4 weeks in advance — last-minute slots are rarely available
• Plan your travel around your confirmed session date, not the other way around
• The studio is a 10–15 minute ride from major NYC hotels and JFK/LGA/EWR
If you're visiting NYC specifically for this tattoo, mention that in your booking form — Max factors that into scheduling. Start Booking →
What you can expect: pricing reflects the level of the work. Max is not the cheapest tattoo artist in New York — he's one of the best. Clients who come to him are investing in work that holds up for decades, not something they'll be covering up in three years.
Budget-first conversations are not a fit. If you care about the quality of the piece and want a custom quote based on your idea, the booking form is the right place to start. Get a Custom Quote →
SoHo, New York City
READY TO
GET INKED?
Spots with Max fill fast. Submit your request today and secure your session at 132 Crosby St — NYC's premier realism studio. Every tattoo built to last a lifetime.
By Appointment Only · 132 Crosby St, 4th Floor · SoHo NYC · Response within 48hrs