Brücius Tattoo

If you’re debating about booking your appointment, just stop and call right now! Brucius is an extremely talented artist and is constantly perfecting his specialties. I’m thrilled with my tattoo that included wild flowers and a bird. While the hourly rate might feel high, it’s completely reasonable considering the consistent quality of work and the fact that design time is free. Brucius was patient and helpful while bringing my ideas to life and I felt completely comfortable during both the design and tattoo process. If you love the etching style, Brucius is the one to see!

I can’t speak highly enough about my experience with Bruciüs. This was my first tattoo, and I had a pre-​conceived idea of what the process would be like. The entire experience with Bruciüs, and the staff at Black + Blue Tattoo, erased those pre-​conceived thoughts. From consultation, to design, to actual tattooing, Bruciüs was excellent, kind, and professional.
For years, I had wanted an arrangement of specific animals covering my arm. For the type of detailed, realistic work I was looking for, examples of Bruciüs work kept coming up in my research. Bruciüs is a talented artist who spent as much care and attention to the time leading up to actual tattooing. It was a cool and unexpected process in a sense that it was not me dictating what I wanted, or Bruciüs telling me how it needed to be, but a truly collaborative process. My entire fist day was spent finalizing design and placement, all while off the clock.
The actual tattooing itself took about 12 – 14 hours over two and a half days. Brucius himself had a very calming presence and checked in frequently on my level of comfort. Even with high expectations I had given Brucius’s reputation, I was blown away by the detail of my tattoo.
In general, Bruciüs is a very talented artist who makes the experience memorable given his kindness and positive nature. I could not recommend him high enough, and look forward to getting more work done by Bruciüs in the future.

Beautiful work by a true artist. While visiting SF for a library conference, and to celebrate the winner of the Caldecott Medal, he adapted an illustration of a star shaped leaf from «The Adventures of Beekle» in his exquisite engraving style. The tattoo is still looking great 5 months later. The fine lines from his rotary tattoo machine are expertly crafted. Thanks, Brucius!

This is a delayed review, but none the less very deserved. By far this was the best tattoo experience I have had. Scheduling was painless and Brucius was able to work with my schedule, I was traveling up from Los Angeles, for both the consultation and appointment. He was also very understanding when I had to reschedule my first appointment date last minute.
One of the great pluses is that Brucius spends time designing the tattoo and layout with you in person, off the clock. We spent a few hours the first day figuring out the aspects of my tattoo. We did the actual tattooing the second day in about 6 – 7 hours.
The tattoo came out better then I could have ever expected, with very fine and crisp details and healed very well.
Thanks again for the great work!

It’s an unreal opportunity to be tattooed by someone as talented as Brucius. Aside from being talented he is also a very genuine person. From my experience with him he truly wants to make the customer happy and asks the right questions to allow for your best experience. If you’re on the fence on getting tattooed by him I’d recommend setting up a consultation. During the consultation Brucius is great at determining if what you want is his style of work or if another artist would be a better fit. Either way, you win!

After a long wait I finally got my tattoo and couldn’t be more happy with the way it turned out. Brucius did a fantastic job and I would highly recommend him. Cant wait to get another one…

It was a pleasure to finally get tattooed by Bruciüs — he is an incredibly kind, attentive and laid back person who is, of course, extremely talented. He did a truly excellent job on my tattoo, and I’m barely noticing any soreness just a day after I got it.
Thank you so much for the experience! I’ll definitely be back again to get more skull tattoos ;)

I could not have asked for a better experience. Brücius is a genius! His artistic vision and process in helping me to narrow down my piece was incredibly helpful. In our design session, or what he called «speed dating,» Brücius was able to craft exactly what would eventually be living on my right arm, including sizing and placement recommendations. After the design was complete, his light needle work made me feel at ease. Thank you Brücius for your truly amazing work!

This is actually a hard review for me to write because it is so emotional for me. Brucius is a close friend of mine and I think the world of Him as a person but I will try to keep this about how exceptional of an artist He is. I have been a self injurer since 13 years of age and have always been ashamed of the scars on my left inner forearm. As long as I can recall I have wanted to cover that area with a body modification that turned that piece of flesh into something I was proud of, something I thought was beautiful and something I did not feel I had to hide from the world. I attempted to turn my scars into a beautiful scar with a scarification piece but it never fit quite right for me. Ever since I have known of Brucius and His artwork I have wanted a piece of His on my skin and a few weeks ago my dream came true:)
He was patient and worked with me to find something that was even more perfect than I had envisioned. He was kind, professional, thorough, personable, quick, gentle, detail oriented, empathetic and sensitive. He took an area of my body that I have been ashamed of for over two decades and turned it into something I am proud of, something I am able to look down at and see as beautiful. I do not think He will ever be able to understand fully what He has done for me but I am forever grateful. He and His art have changed my life. He is better than the best. A true Artist who is humble and authentic. Thank You Brucius!!!

I am so happy and grateful that I found Brucius for my first tattoo. I had been swirling around the idea of an intricate design for years and looked through dozens of artist portfolios looking for someone that could capture the level of detail I envisioned. Being a fine artist myself specializing in nature and animals, I knew I needed someone who thoroughly understood anatomy and natural forms. I knew if anything in the final piece was slightly off, it would nag at me forever. I wouldn’t even trust myself to do this!
But luckily, all signs in the universe pointed me to Brucius. I love looking at other peoples’ ink, but I have only been compelled on two separate occasions to actually ask the person who did their tattoo. It was a clear sign when both these people told me that Brucius was their man!
Scheduling was painless — the staff at Black & Blue is extraordinarily sweet and efficient. Brucius himself is pretty responsive to emails and texts as well. I went in for my initial consult and described my design while he prepped another client for inking. The studio space is clean and decorated with sketches, art, and cool nature specimens. Loved the vibe! I was able to set up an appointment for 7 months out (I think the wait time is a little more now), put in my deposit and eagerly awaited the day.
And then finally the day came! I was a little jittery my first day — I didn’t know what to expect as this was my first tattooing experience. I had emailed Brucius many reference photos but was a little nervous at not having heard anything. I was quickly put to ease as Brucius explained how things were going to go down. The first few hours (unbilled) would be a one-​on-​one collaborative design session where we would piece together a finalized design together. Then I would have a stencil positioned onto the part I wanted inked and then the actual tattooing part would begin! He had set aside 3 full days for my appointment so we had plenty of time — I loved not feeling rushed or that he was in a hurry to be finished. Brucius really invests himself into every project and is every bit the perfectionist.
The actual tattooing itself took about 7 – 8 hours over two days. Brucius himself had a very calming presence and checked in frequently on my level of comfort. He only uses single lines and so it takes a while for all the little details to be filled in. After the first day though, I was already amazed at the fine level of details etched into the fur and wings in my design. It was incredible! What also impresses me is that you can tell that the money and time are secondary to Brucius’s artistic integrity. He estimated my design to take half as long as it actually did but did not change the final price. He goes above and beyond to ensure his designs all reflect his standards of artistry and craftsmanship, regardless of the time and effort it takes. The level of commitment and talent is obvious with one glance at any of his pieces!
Healing was relatively easy — I followed all his care instructions to a T. Pretty much everything was back to normal within 3 – 4 weeks. I’ve gotten SO many compliments on the design and I’ve only had the tattoo for a couple months. Everyone is astounded by the intricacy of the lines. I’m extremely proud to show off the design every chance I get!
Summary: Amazingly talented and extraordinarily kind man — his work is unparalleled. I definitely hope to have more tattoos done by Brucius in the future!

Fantastic experience, never want to go to anyone else. The whole process was very collaborative and I ended up with something I was truly in love with.
. Brucius was a great guy and I can’t recommend him enough.

Brücius is the man. If you need spectacular line work, particularly in a the black and grey engraving/​wood etching style there is simply no other better alternative.
I took a long time looking around for other artists to do my half sleeve, including international artists. Every time I found someone new I would end up comparing their work to Brücius’ and continually decided in his favor.
As an artist he is great to work with, he is a trained fine artist and lends a unique perspective to the artwork provided too him. He didn’t so much as dissuade me from certain ideas I had for my piece as much as educate me and let me make an informed decision as to how I wanted things… I am so glad I listened as it turned out better than I imagined!
He is very gentle with the needle and cognizant of his client’s comfort. I looked forward to each session not just for the additional art that I would leave with, but for the fun I would have chatting with Brücius and the general experience that is tattooing.
I cannot recommend him highly enough, while his style is particular the final product is simply spectacular and worth seeking out a design or piece of art that Brücius will ink for you!

Brucius is not only a wonderfully talented fine artist and tattooist, but also a warm, down-​to-​earth human being. He makes the process of creating a tattoo comfortable and collaborative. I just received my second tattoo from Brucius, and both experiences were absolutely perfect.
When we first met, Brucius helped to refine my ideas, which were pretty vague. I wanted my first tattoo to be of buttercups, but needed guidance on placement and the final design. I found various photos online of buttercups, and we identified the best buds, leaves, and flowers. Brucius carefully arranged the pieces to work well with the shape of my arm, and then he tattooed the stems freehand. There was some trust involved in the process, but if you’re going to trust someone to permanently mark your body, Brucius is an excellent choice. He has a light hand, which made the process much less painful than I’d expected. He made sure that I was comfortable by checking in as the work progressed. The end result is a beautiful, delicate tattoo that makes me very happy.
For my second piece, a wisteria blossom and hummingbird, Brucius’ process was much the same. He worked patiently to adapt the size and shape of the blossom design to my upper arm, so that the piece looks like it was specifically designed for me. (Because it was!) He used dots and lines to shade and define the design. It’s amazing how much texture he’s able to give to a piece without relying on various colors. My little hummingbird is so life-​like and graceful and delicate. I love it so much that I affectionately named him after Brucius himself.
Also, Jess, the counter person and Brucius’ personal assistant is a delight. She’ll be happy to assist with any scheduling issues or other concerns. She’s so easy to work with.
I truly can’t recommend Brucius highly enough. He created two breathtaking pieces for me, and he can do the same for you.

I had my first tattoo with Brucius, and now I can’t wait to get more.
My partner and I wanted matching tattoos, a decision many of our friends thought was strange, if not scary. For both of us, it was also our first tattoo, and we were unsure about the design up until the last minute.
Brucius provided such an atmosphere of nonjudgmental acceptance and chill self-​acceptance that we ended up designing the tattoo with Brucius in his studio and getting it done the same day. I was shaking and scared to get tattooed for the first time, but Brucius was so calm and gentle I quickly relaxed and even began chatting animatedly to everyone in the shop. The resulting piece is gorgeous and I’m sure I will be proud of it for a lifetime.
A queer woman friend of mine recommended Brucius, and I would recommend him to anyone who likes his intricate black and white style, but especially queer women and first-​timers (since that was my experience). Brucius is the type of artist that is worth whatever price.

I can’t give enough praise to Brucius and the work he did on my very ambitious (50+ hrs) sleeve tattoo. He has some of the best line work in the world and could very well have the «you’re lucky to be working with me» attitude, but was instead the complete opposite. Throughout the entire process, Brucius was super friendly, approachable, easy going, and caring.
His work is no doubt amazing and you can tell he’s passionate about every detail related to his craft. What’s surprising is really how interested he is in keeping you involved-​collaborating, making sure your thoughts are heard and you’re comfortable with every decision along the way. The combination makes for an outstanding experience.
I’d give 10 out of 10 stars if I could.

Brucius is the man. I saw his work online and knew he was the perfect artist for a piece I wanted done, so I contacted him way in advance to set it up. (He’s deservedly booked pretty solid, so get in early.) I made a pit stop in San Francisco during my US holiday just to work with him.
I had some anxiety going in, because it was a big piece and we hadn’t communicated a great deal in advance. But once I got there for my appointment Brucius spent a lot of time going over the design and figuring out exactly what I wanted and making sure I was happy with it. He was very generous with his time and with his charging. The whole tattooing experience was actually a pleasure — way way different to the first (much smaller) tattoo I got back home in Sydney from a different artist, where I was basically in and out the door and it felt pretty impersonal. Everyone at the studio was super nice, and I want to give a particular shout-​out to Danny who hooked me up with a Clif Bar because I was too much of a rookie to think to bring snacks. Brucius himself gave me a bowl of nuts and even offered me part of his lunch — who does that?! And did I mention that Brucius did an amazing job on my tattoo? Brucius did an amazing job on my tattoo. He completely nailed it. I would not hesitate to work with him again. Thanks so much, Brucius!

Brucius is one of those rare tattoo artists that are extremely hard to come by. He has a background in fine art, which I feel is a must for a tattoo artist. Also, his line quality is seriously the best I’ve seen.
He wants to make sure that he gives you a tattoo that you will love. So, he goes the extra mile, making sure that everything is exactly the way you want it before he starts and he continues to check with you during and after the process to make sure that everything is exactly the way you want it.
If his skills weren’t enough (which they most definitely are), his personality is infectious enough to keep you coming back. I think he is a genuine nice guy who isn’t just interested in making beautiful art, but is also in it for building new relationships.
If anyone is on the fence about booking with Brucius, you should just do it. He is going to be one of those artists that are so popular that it is nearly impossible to get in without a really long wait; he’s already booked out three to four months in advance, and well worth the wait.
I love the work he did for me, and I look forward to getting more work done by him in the future. I plan to use Brucius for ALL of my future work!

My entire experience with Brucius was a pleasure, to say the very least.
Brucius’s passion and interest was evident the very moment that I stepped into the shop with the budding idea for my weeping willow branch back tattoo. We chatted a few times casually about the concept and style, and it was incredibly comforting and validating to see his enthusiasm for the specific style of tattoo that I was looking for. (Side note: I had approached Brucius before with an idea, and while not his style, he helped me find the perfect artist. I can’t say how much I appreciate this honesty — a mark of a true artist).
In the months before our tattoo appointment, Brucius had me create a Pinterest page that collected various images that spoke to me. We had a consultation in person a week before ink-​time, which was incredibly short. This was surprising at first, as I am used to seeing stencils and exact replications of the tattoo before game time.
When I arrived for the tattoo appointment, we printed out all of the photos that I had selected, and Brucius began a long process of elimination that included cutting, pasting, resizing, copying, drawing, and all sorts of collage techniques. It was amazing to watch the artistic process. He asked me for my opinion on very specific aspects, such as leaves and buds, and we ended up with a few prime examples. Then we went into the room, he placed a few tiny pictures of elements that we had sized, and he took a marker to my back to get the overall shape and flow of the piece. That was it. He started tattooing, and for the next 2 hours I became part of his art (I had a second session to add the final details).
I have never felt so much a part of the creative process, and the final product is breathtaking. He allowed the piece to be about my body, and really is an incredible artist. Brucius has an meticulous attention to detail and the highest standards of quality — he really takes pride in his work. The environment was comfortable and I felt totally in control, while at the same time trusting Brucius enough to tattoo me freehand.
It’s a beautiful thing.

About a year and a half ago, I was itching for some new tattoos but had a little dilemma: my previous tattooist had moved to another state.
Being an artist (oil painter) myself, finding a new tattoo artist that I trusted and liked wasn’t an easy task. I asked one of my coworkers for a suggestion and she highly recommended Brucius. I’d seen his work on her, so I knew he was skilled. I still wanted to check out the shop and meet him in person, so I accompanied her on one of her appointments.
Brucius made me feel comfortable right away and we chatted about my tattoo ideas — I had a few at the time. He was really drawn to the Death’s Head moth idea I had. His excitement about it convinced me to go for it. We worked together via email on the specific vision for the piece, then booked the appointment.
I was relieved — since this was a large-​ish chest piece — to find that Brucius has a light hand compared to my previous artist. He also made the experience as comfortable as possible by checking in with me frequently as he worked.
His attention to detail is just incredible. The tattoo is almost a photorealistic copy of the reference image and the final piece is AMAZING.
It’s a big statement piece that I enjoy showing off. It gets a lot of compliments (and sometimes awkwardly long stares, too). It has aged beautifully and the color is still bright.
My experiences at this shop have been wonderful. Everyone is so welcoming and friendly, and Brucius is an awesome artist. I’ll be back for sure!

I got my tattoo with Brucius a little under a month ago and I could not be more pleased. We communicated over the phone for about a month prior (I’m in school on the East Coast) so he had the general idea of what I wanted. I came in on a Friday evening and we spent over an hour discussing the concept (a dogwood branch with pine on my upper thigh) and going through reference images online, which he used to construct a sketch.
It was clear he paid close attention to detail and wanted it to be perfect (from the perspective to the placement). He was receptive to ideas and comments and really catered to what I wanted while also making his own constructive suggestions. It’s also clear that he’s an incredibly talented artist.
Another plus– he finished the entire tattoo in under two hours, which was really impressive!
The only slight negative would be his communication prior to the appointment. I often had to remind him who I was in our emails/​phone conversations and he asked a few times to confirm I’d paid the deposit. But overall great person, and VERY talented tattoo artist!