Karol Rybakowski Interview: Realism & Tattoo Needle Setup

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Pro Team Artist Interview: Karol Rybakowski

2026-10-01

In 2012, Karol Rybakowski was a painting student at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice when a friend introduced him to a tattoo studio. Synthetic skin came first. Then came the real thing.

Almost 15 years later, the Rybnik-based artist brings portraits to life on skin with photographic precision, using a color palette all his own and a painter's techniques. Even his tattoo needle setup is split into foreground, background and detail.

How Karol Rybakowski Got Started in Tattooing

The way Karol tells it, everything hinged on one introduction.

I actually became a tattoo artist by accident. A friend introduced me to the studio, I met Tofi and Enzo from Ink Ognito Tattoo Studio, and that's how it all began. At the time, I was studying painting at the Academy of Fine Arts in Katowice. Tattooing became a related subject, and I enjoyed it. At first, I tattooed on synthetic skins, and later on the body.

From Canvas to Skin: A Painter's Eye for Realistic Tattoos

Painting got to Karol first, and it never let go. It taught him how to look at form, light and anatomy. When the canvas gave way to skin, all of that came with him.

I'm particularly inspired by painting. I work in a realistic style, but I enjoy many forms of art.

He still works with a painter's tools, just on a different surface.

In my work, I utilize my own color palette and painting techniques. These colors are useful in creating portraits, which comprise the majority of my gallery.

What Karol Loves to Tattoo

Just people. Sometimes it's nature and animals.

People are the heart of his work. Karol renders them with photographic precision and close attention to detail, then carries onto skin something harder to capture: their emotions and character.

Staying Sharp After Almost 15 Years

Karol keeps his eyes open, from Poland to the rest of the world. And every so often, he gets back to painting.

I follow the work of artists and the cultural life in Poland and around the world. I also have my own painting studio, where I sometimes manage to paint something.

What Being Part of the Revolution Needles Pro Team Means to Karol

Revolution equipment is high quality, and that's very important to me. Besides, being on the Revolution Pro Team with other valuable and talented artists is additional motivation and drive.

Karol Rybakowski's Favorite Tattoo Needle Setup

Six configurations, all in 0.35 mm, for almost every tattoo: a 5 Round Liner, 5 and 9 Round Shaders, and 9, 13 and 19 Soft Edge Magnums.

He splits the work three ways:

For foreground work, I use RS needles. For backgrounds and larger skin areas, I use magnum needles. For details and markings, I use a liner.

Cartridge	Gauge	How He Uses It
5 Round Liner	0.35mm	Details and markings
5 Round Shader	0.35mm	Foreground work
9 Round Shader	0.35mm	Foreground work
9 Soft Edge Magnum	0.35mm	Backgrounds and larger skin areas
13 Soft Edge Magnum	0.35mm	Backgrounds and larger skin areas
19 Soft Edge Magnum	0.35mm	Backgrounds and larger skin areas
13 Soft Edge Magnum · Long Taper	0.35mm	Large areas
19 Soft Edge Magnum · Long Taper	0.35mm	Large areas