Why we don't charge for our design services...

We love what we do. Plain and simple. We draw, paint, sculpt and design because it is what our hearts tell us to do. We take great pleasure in it.
We apply permanent artwork to the skin of another human being. This is what we charge for because it costs us rent, materials, fees, classes and utilities.

This is the medium we've chosen to make a living from. It is a good living and it takes care of us and our family's needs. For this we are happy and grateful.
Sketching a design costs us nothing and its as much for our pleasure as it is for the benefit of the client. Sketching a design will seldom take us longer than 30 minutes and the look of excitement on the clients face when the sketch is done is priceless to us. If the client fails to come back for the piece to be recreated on skin, there is no loss to us. We would have still had the chance to sit down and draw. Many times we get the chance to draw or sketch but we can't think of any subject. But to have an opportunity to draw something (and not even need to think of anything to draw thanks to the client) is very enjoyable to us. We cannot charge for this with a clear conscience.

(Although I will not let any artwork go home with a client until the representation on skin is completed. For til then it belongs to us and if not used for skin art, will be used for future reference)

We believe that an artist who charges for a Draw Up is either:

A) obliged to do so under fear of losing their job by a shop owner who only cares about making more money to support whatever habits he/she/they may have.

B) an artist who doesn't make enough money in his field to support him/herself so he/she is forced to charge for everything to survive.

or

C) someone who is so jaded by the industry that they feel they should be paid for every breath they take while at work and every second they spend with a client.

We make enough of a living to support us and our families comfortably with the process of the tattoo itself and we do not have any counter-productive habits to support.

Maybe one day every top studio will hold these same values.