Best Tattoo Artists in Montreal in 2026: Our 17 Artists by Style
Realism, blackwork, fine line, traditional, neo-trad and anime: compare the 17 tattoo artists of Oly Anger Tattoo and find the right one for your project.

Contents
- 01At a glance: which tattoo artist should you choose?
- 02Realism
- 03Blackwork
- 04Fine line
- 05Traditional and old school
- 06Neo-traditional, anime and multidisciplinary
- 07Which artist for your project?
- 08How we built this ranking
- 09Book or walk in
- 10Further reading
- 11FAQ: finding the best tattoo artist in Montreal
Looking for the best tattoo artist in Montreal for your project? Here are the artists of Oly Anger Tattoo, organized by specialty (realism, blackwork, fine line, traditional, neo-traditional and anime) so you can find the one who matches your style in minutes.
Updated October 2026: the full list of our current artists.
At a glance: which tattoo artist should you choose?
The best tattoo artist is the one whose style matches your project. Our quick recommendation:
- Black and grey realism: Mathias, Jouny, Darick, Greg and Darren (dark realism)
- Colour realism: Wilson and Isabel Rose
- Blackwork and cover-ups: Chele and Christina (guest artist)
- Fine line: Bihwa and Sebastian Bali
- Traditional and old school flash: Karl, Aiden and Alfio
- Neo-traditional and neo-Japanese: Chris Paredes
- Anime and manga: Kouacou
- Mixed styles: James
Realism
Portraits, animals, dark or colour compositions: our realism specialists bring depth, texture and emotion to every piece.
1. Mathias, realism
Originally from the south of France, Mathias creates meaningful realism tattoos, often inspired by nature and social issues. He chooses his projects carefully, for bold, one-of-a-kind pieces. See Mathias’s portfolio
2. Jouny, black and grey realism
Originally from Lebanon, Jouny specializes in black and grey realism, with deep shading and an impressive level of detail. He also excels at cover-ups, turning old tattoos into new pieces. See Jouny’s portfolio
3. Darick, black and grey realism
Darick specializes in black and grey realism. His meticulous attention to detail produces strikingly lifelike tattoos, ideal for portraits and large compositions. See Darick’s portfolio
4. Darren, dark realism
Darren excels at dark realism: intense, captivating compositions for anyone drawn to dark and dramatic moods. See Darren’s portfolio
5. Greg, black and grey realism
Greg is known for his eye for detail and technical command of black and grey realism, from small pieces to the most ambitious projects. See Greg’s portfolio
6. Isabel Rose, colour and black and grey realism
Known as Isabel Rose Ink, Isabel creates realistic tattoos in colour and in black and grey, combining depth, emotion and precision. See Isabel Rose’s portfolio
7. Wilson, colour realism
A colour realism expert, Wilson brings years of experience to projects of every size, for vibrant, timeless pieces. See Wilson’s portfolio
Blackwork
Solid black, strong contrast and graphic designs: blackwork ages beautifully and works wonders for cover-ups.
8. Chele, blackwork and cover-ups
Chele specializes in blackwork and small cover-ups. Drop by the studio to flip through her flash book for a spontaneous piece. See Chele’s portfolio
9. Christina, blackwork (guest artist)
A globe-trotting guest artist, Christina brings her own take on blackwork whenever she’s in Montreal. Follow her Instagram for her availability. See Christina’s portfolio
Fine line
Delicate lines, minimalist designs and small, elegant pieces: fine line is ideal for a first tattoo.
10. Bihwa, fine line
Bihwa has mastered fine line tattooing: delicate, intricate and highly elegant designs, done with remarkable precision. See Bihwa’s portfolio
11. Sebastian Bali, fine line and figurative colour
Sebastian Bali combines fine lines with figurative colour tattooing for bright pieces in a recognizable style. See Sebastian Bali’s portfolio
Traditional and old school
Bold outlines, a classic palette and ready-to-tattoo flash: traditional is tattooing’s most timeless style.
12. Karl, American traditional
Karl is devoted to American traditional: bold, nostalgic tattoos. His flash book is available at the studio, and custom projects are welcome. See Karl’s portfolio
13. Aiden, old school traditional
Aiden pays tribute to tattoo tradition with bold designs, in bright colour or black and grey. Several flash designs are ready to be tattooed. See Aiden’s portfolio
14. Alfio, traditional
Passionate about tattoo culture, Alfio creates clean, bold traditional pieces designed to age well. See Alfio’s portfolio
Neo-traditional, anime and multidisciplinary
For projects that don’t fit in a box: neo-Japanese, anime characters or a mix of styles.
15. Chris Paredes, neo-traditional and neo-Japanese
Chris Paredes combines the bold lines of the classics with rich neo-traditional compositions, and reinterprets irezumi with a modern neo-Japanese approach, in colour or black and grey. See Chris Paredes’s portfolio
16. Kouacou, anime, manga and realism
Kouacou specializes in manga, anime, comic book illustration and realism: the perfect choice to bring your favourite characters to life. See Kouacou’s portfolio
17. James, multidisciplinary
With a multidisciplinary art background, James moves easily between styles: perfect if you have an original idea or want to explore. See James’s portfolio
Which artist for your project?
| Your project | Recommended artists |
|---|---|
| Black and grey realistic portrait | Mathias, Jouny, Darick, Greg |
| Colour realism | Wilson, Isabel Rose |
| Dark, moody artwork | Darren |
| Covering up an old tattoo | Jouny, Chele |
| Small delicate tattoo or first tattoo | Bihwa, Sebastian Bali |
| Ready-to-tattoo old school flash | Karl, Aiden, Alfio, Chele |
| Japanese or neo-traditional tattoo | Chris Paredes |
| Anime or manga character | Kouacou |
| Original idea or mix of styles | James |
How we built this ranking
- Specialization: each artist is listed under the style they master best, not in a generic list.
- Verifiable portfolio: every profile links to a portfolio of real tattoos done at the studio.
- Studio standards: single-use sterile needles, certified vegan inks and a personalized consultation for every project.
- Since 2009: an established studio in the heart of Montreal’s Old Port, where every artist is a resident or a selected guest.
Book or walk in
Oly Anger Tattoo is at 9 de la Commune St. West, Montreal, QC H2Y 2Y3, in Old Montreal, a few minutes’ walk from Place-d’Armes metro station.
For a custom project with a specific artist, book a consultation. For a small tattoo or flash, walk-ins are welcome on a first-come, first-served basis. Our team speaks English and French. You can also call us at 514 348-4225 or browse all our artists.
Further reading
- Tattoo in Montreal: the complete guide: styles, pain, aftercare
- The best fine line tattoo artists in Montreal
- Montreal walk-in tattoo shop
- Where to get tattooed in Montreal
FAQ: finding the best tattoo artist in Montreal
Who are the best realism tattoo artists in Montreal?
At Oly Anger Tattoo, Mathias, Jouny, Darick and Greg specialize in black and grey realism, Darren in dark realism, and Wilson and Isabel Rose in colour realism.
Which artist should I choose for a fine line tattoo in Montreal?
Bihwa is our fine line specialist, and Sebastian Bali combines fine lines with figurative colour. Our complete fine line guide covers pain, placements and aftercare.
Where can I find an old school traditional tattoo artist in Montreal?
Karl, Aiden and Alfio specialize in traditional tattooing. Karl and Aiden have flash books at the studio, and custom projects are welcome.
Can I get tattooed without an appointment in Montreal?
Yes. Oly Anger Tattoo accepts walk-ins at our Old Montreal studio on a first-come, first-served basis. Small pieces and flash designs suit a walk-in visit best.
How do I book with a specific artist?
Fill out the consultation form and mention the artist you’d like, or call us at 514 348-4225. We’ll connect you with the artist to talk about your project.
Do the artists speak English?
Yes. Our team welcomes clients in English and French, including tourists visiting Montreal.
Artists in this article
Non-resident artist
Mathias
Realism

Jouny
Black & grey realism

Darick
Black & grey realism

Darren
Dark realism

Greg
Black & grey realism
Non-resident artist
Isabel Rose
Colour · Black & grey realism

Wilson
Colour realism

Chele
Blackwork · Cover-ups
Non-resident artist
Christina
Blackwork

Bihwa
Fine line
Non-resident artist
Sebastian Bali
Fine line · Colour figurative

Karl
American traditional

Aiden
Traditional old school

Alfio
Traditional

Chris Paredes
Neo-traditional · Neo-Japanese

Kouacou
Manga · Anime · Realism

James
Multidisciplinary



