Body Art WeeklyStudio of the Week · Issue 7
IH Tattoo Studio
Black-and-grey and colour realism, every piece designed by one artist, in Port Credit
Port Credit, Mississauga, Canada
A word from Patrick
I find Igor's work beautiful, and I have a personal preference for realism and portraits. When I was 18 I was drawing and painting, not on skin, which is far more difficult, but on canvas, and portraits were my favourites. Looking at Igor's stunning realism in portraits, I feel like a schoolboy. I am really amazed at his technique: on skin there is no eraser and no second try, and still every face looks alive.
His cover-up amazed me (see the pictures below): I am sure that client left with her life changed!
Igor is a man of great talent, and you don't meet guys like this often. So if you have the occasion, grab it!
I am glad and honoured to have discovered such a great artist, and to share his work with all my fellow modern primitives.
Patrick Poli
The film
IH Tattoo Studio in motion
Igor's own clips: a black-and-grey forearm turning in the light, a skull and a vintage machine, and Igor on stage at the NIX Toronto Tattoo Convention in 2018. Press play with the sound on.
The artist
One artist, from the first sketch to the last line
Igor Hadji Daovski is the tattoo artist behind IH Tattoo Studio. "Our featured artist, Igor Hadji Daovski, specializes in black-and-grey realism and colour realism tattoos. His work includes realistic portraits, wildlife, intricate compositions, and large-scale custom tattoo projects."
At IH, there is no hand-off between a designer and a tattooer. "Clients work directly with Igor throughout the tattoo process, from the initial consultation to the completed tattoo." Every design is drawn for one client, "rather than simply copying another person's tattoo."
"With a passion for realism and attention to detail, Igor approaches every tattoo as a unique piece of art, working closely with clients to bring their ideas to life."
“Every tattoo should tell a story and reflect the personality of the person wearing it.”
The work
Depth, contrast and lifelike detail
"Realism tattoos require skill, patience, and experience," the studio writes. "Our work focuses on creating tattoos with depth, contrast, and lifelike detail." Igor's pieces are built on strong contrast, smooth shading and precise execution, from a single portrait to a whole back.
The portfolio runs from black-and-grey back pieces and sleeves to full-colour portraits, film and comic-book characters, portraits of loved ones, wildlife, roses and clocks, and fine-detail work.
Portraits are the true test of realism. Get a stranger's tiger slightly wrong and nobody notices; get a grandmother's smile wrong and the whole family does. That is the work Igor chose to specialise in.
Black and grey
Contrast and smooth shading. The style where a single wrong grey shows, so every one of them counts.
Colour realism
Full colour with lifelike depth. Harder than it looks, and it looks very hard.
Sleeves and back pieces
Planned with you and done over several sessions. A marathon, not a sprint, with a masterpiece at the finish line.
Fine detail
Small pieces, same care as the big ones. Size is no excuse.
How it works
Your custom tattoo, step by step
"Every tattoo we create is custom designed to match your vision. We work closely with each client to ensure the design, placement, and size are perfect before starting the tattoo."
The free consultation is where it starts. Bring the photo of your grandmother, your dog, or the lion you have been thinking about for three years: Igor looks at it with you, talks size and placement, and you leave with a plan instead of a doubt.
Appointments are recommended, especially for big projects; walk-ins depend on Igor's schedule. One artist, one chair: that is the price of having the same hands from the first sketch to the last line.
Consultation
Free. Bring everything: photos, ideas, doubts. You leave with a plan.
The design
Drawn for you, from your ideas and references. Not copied from someone else's arm.
The deposit
Its amount depends on the piece. It secures your slot and comes off the final price, unless you cancel with less than 48 hours' notice or do not show. Fair is fair.
The sessions
Sleeves and back pieces take several sittings. Bring patience, and snacks.
Aftercare
Detailed instructions to take home, and a full aftercare page on the studio's site. Read it twice.
Second chances
Cover-ups
A cover-up is one of the hardest jobs in tattooing: you are drawing over someone else's decision, sometimes over a scar, and old ink never fully disappears. It takes planning, contrast and nerve.
Not every tattoo starts on clear skin. "Cover-ups may be possible depending on the existing tattoo, its size, colour, location and the new design you have in mind. A consultation is recommended so the artist can evaluate the existing tattoo and discuss suitable options."
The before and after at the top of this page shows what that can mean for a client.
The studio
Port Credit, by the lake
IH Tattoo Studio sits on Mississauga Road North in Port Credit, the lakeside neighbourhood of Mississauga, west of Toronto. Inside it is bright and open, with clean white walls and room to work on large pieces.
"Many clients travel from across the GTA for high-quality realism tattoos and custom work": from Mississauga and Toronto, Brampton, Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Hamilton.
And the hours suit people with jobs: noon to eight in the evening, Tuesday to Sunday, closed only on Mondays.
In their own words
Questions for IH Tattoo Studio
What tattoo styles do you specialize in?
We specialize in custom tattoos, including realism, black & grey, colour tattoos and fine-detail work. Each tattoo is designed to complement the client's idea, placement and individual style.
Can you create a custom tattoo design for me?
Yes. We create custom tattoo designs based on your ideas, references, preferred style and placement. The goal is to create a tattoo specifically suited to you rather than simply copying another person's tattoo.
Do you do large tattoos and full sleeves?
Yes. IH Tattoo Studio works on both smaller tattoos and larger projects, including sleeves and other detailed custom pieces. Large-scale tattoos usually require multiple sessions depending on the complexity of the design.
How much does a tattoo cost?
Tattoo pricing depends on the size, placement, level of detail, style and estimated time required to complete the tattoo. Larger custom pieces may require multiple sessions. Contact us with your idea and approximate size for more information about pricing.
Inside IH Tattoo Studio
Plates from their story
Free to print, for their walls and yours
Inspired by IH Tattoo Studio and made specifically for them, in high-quality 4K. They are our gift to the studio, to print for its walls if they like. And if you are reading this, they are yours too: print them for your home.
Download them free!
Reader poll
Would you wear a portrait of someone you love?
One click, anonymous. You see the results after answering.
Visit
IH Tattoo Studio
49 Mississauga Rd N, Unit 1, Mississauga, ON L5H 2H9, Canada (Port Credit).
Tuesday to Sunday, 12:00 to 20:00. Closed Monday. Phone 905-990-1229.
The nearest convention
NIX Toronto Tattoo Show 2027
The closest tattoo convention to IH Tattoo Studio: June 11, 2027 to June 13, 2027, in Toronto (Metro Toronto Convention Centre).
Photos: IH Tattoo Studio. Plates: AI-assisted artwork, edited by Poli International. Words in quotes and the answers are the studio’s own. Prices and opening hours change: check with the studio before you go. Your studio next?