Liana Baranova

I don’t like the “pick a picture from the catalog—and we’ll ink it” approach.

Sometimes a person comes in with a clear idea, and sometimes they say, “I want a tattoo, but I have no idea what kind.” And I find both scenarios equally interesting.

It’s important for me to understand what you like visually, what details catch your eye, what you want to highlight, or, conversely, what you’d rather keep to yourself. From there, we gradually build a concept—adjusting the composition, working on the shape, size, details, and placement on the body.

I pay close attention to how the sketch interacts with the anatomy. A tattoo doesn’t exist separately from the body: it moves with it, changes depending on its position, and over time becomes a part of it. That’s why I might sometimes suggest changing the location, scale, or a specific detail if it makes the design look more harmonious.

During the process, my goal isn’t to arrive at the final sketch as quickly as possible. What matters more to me is that, at some point, you look at it and recognize yourself in it.

I’m all for tattoos that don’t necessarily need to be explained to others.

My goal isn’t to impose my vision on you, but to help turn your idea into a tattoo that you’ll feel comfortable living with—not just on the day of the session, but for years to come.