We spoke to Sarahann from Standard Tattoo and Christopher Sim to find out what makes the art of stick and poke so special.
The premise behind stick and poke tattooing is simple: hand, needle, skin. It’s the manual insertion of ink into the skin, in other words, no ‘machine’ or ‘gun’ is involved.
This rudimentary form of tattooing is one of the oldest forms of its practice; dating at least, as far back as Neolithic times (10,200 B.C.), marking the ancient skins of mummified pharaohs buried in a golden desert.
Fast forward a few thousand years and tattoo artists like Sarahann and Christopher are putting a new spin on this age old art form with their fresh, clean and whimsical designs.
Sarahann describes her style as “random and ignorant with a little humor when possible. But, I do come up with more ‘society-friendly’ work for the masses.”
Christopher’s style is minimalist and neat, with work mainly featuring smaller pieces that are more discreet.
For both Christopher and Sarahann, tattooing was an unlikely surprise and a perfect combination of both luck and opportunity.
Christopher has been in the practice for over eight years, and for him it started as a hobby. “On the same day I picked it up, an artist at a shop took me in for two years,” he shared.
As for Sarahann, things fell into place for her as well.
“It went from a really casual conversation with a respected friend, to beginning an apprenticeship the very next day and I’m grateful for it every single day.”
After two years on the job, she started dabbling in stick and pokes, “I was restless and curious and my close friend had the balls to allow me to stab her with a needle and one thing led to another,” she recalled.
The Stick And Poke Tattoo Process
The familiar buzzing sound of a tattoo gun that immediately comes to mind when one thinks of tattooing is no longer there but instead replaced by an intimate silence between you and the artist.
The tempo of the needle is completely controlled by the artist’s hand with just the right amount of pressure so that what results is the ink sitting in between a decent layer of skin and not a blackened stab wound.
Although stick and poke tattoos have a punk ‘do it yourself after a few drinks’ reputation, the reality of the method is actually far more complex and refined than it seems.
In the tattoo world it’s even regarded as a significant milestone in one’s craft.
“You can just ‘poke poke poke’, and it will result in a line of dots with spaces in between. You have to replicate the machine. If you replicate that movement and proceed carefully throughout the stencil line, you can get a smooth tattoo,” Christopher explains.
“There is a requirement of a high level of skill to make something look refined because there are a lot of manual technical errors that can occur. It’s not something for beginner tattoo artists.”
Christopher points out that what separates stick and poke from the machine is that when using the machine, “With one stroke you get the ink in. It’s consistent.”
“With stick and poke it’s more tedious. You have to pound away in the same area and proceed very slowly to get a decent line.”
Sarahann however, has a more intimate take on the process. “I love the sound of the needle pricking the skin—it’s peaceful. I love doing things with my hands—to me it’s a labour of love but then again, most art pieces are,” she elaborated.
“Especially because It takes a longer time to complete a piece.”
Despite the visual pain of seeing a needle being slowly and repeatedly stabbed into your body, Sarahann’s clients have mentioned otherwise. “Most people say it hurts less than machine born tattoos, but just as any form of pain, it differs among individuals.”
Stick And Poke Styles
Visually speaking, many may expect stick and poke pieces to be more rough around the edges but you may be surprised.
“It depends on the style,” Sarahann clarifies. “It could look raw or have clean lines, it’s about the piece you’ve chosen.”
Personally, Sarahann recommends getting pieces that are “minimal or with a raw aesthetic to it, preferably where the area is not as stretchy. You can consider places where it’s more difficult to do using a machine, like on the ear, but maybe it’s just how I see it.”
(Sarahann’s work)
I ask her about her personal favourite stick and poke pieces, and she reveals that they’re pieces she’s done on her colleagues and friends.
“I have a friend who lost a bet to me and ended up getting a Dickbutt tattoo (pictured top left)”, she recalls with a laugh.
Whichever style is asked for, it’s undeniable that the clientele that request for stick and poke tattoos are “different” as Christopher says.
“They are a bit more quirky, more niche…”
He thinks about this for slightly longer, “they’re more underground. They’re not here for the ‘generic’ commercialised tattoo experience you see everywhere these days; they want something special and raw.”
“It is no longer ‘different’ or ‘shocking’ to see someone with their hands or neck tattooed” Christopher shares.
He believes that tattoos today are losing their element of elusiveness and thus, for him, stick and poke tattoos and tattooing is one of the key practices keeping the underground element of tattoos alive.
Stick And Poke Tattoo Tips
If you’re a tattoo-fan looking for a new experience or just someone whose interest has been piqued by this post, the artists have some words of advice about diving into the world of stick and pokes.
“I know it seems like something a group of friends can get together to attempt on each other for fun and I wouldn’t say don’t do it; but please be sanitary about it.” Sarahann cautions.
“If you’re keen on getting a stick and poke I’d say, why not? People don’t have to get massive pieces just to try. It might look painful, which it is, as every tattoo is, but it’s nothing most people can’t handle.”
“Everything you learn about tattoos from reading is just one man’s opinion; just as these answers are mine. So just experience it yourself, it’s another thing life has to offer.”
“Don’t forget to do your research!”, Christopher emphasizes. Because of the technical complexity of stick and pokes, make sure your friend or artist has done it before.
If you have opted with the latter, look into his or her previous work and see if it matches the style of the design you had in mind.
Unless, you are looking for a really D.I.Y aesthetic, then by all means, literally do-it-yourself; just know what you’re getting into.
As Christopher says, “If you do it ratchetly, it will come out ratchet”. And if you are worried about what you parents might think? Not to worry.
Christopher reassures you that, “if your parents see it, they will be angry for a while but they will get used to it.”
For more information about Christopher Sim and Sarahann’s work, follow their instagrams:(Christopher)(Sarahann)
This article was co-authored by Annabel Diong and Kathleen Leong.