Custom · Single Artist · Since 2006
Tattoo Artists
in Derby
At Tattoo Creations there's one resident artist, Kev Oakton — and he tattoos every piece himself. From your first message to the final touch-up, you're working with the same person the whole way through.
Meet Kev Oakton
Kev Oakton has been tattooing in Derby since 2006 and runs Tattoo Creations from the studio in Sinfin. His work spans photorealism and portraits, smooth black and grey shading, bold colour, and finer illustrative and fine line pieces — with cover-ups and redesigns a regular part of the calendar.
Because it's a one-artist studio, the design, the hygiene standards, and the experience on the day are all handled personally. No handing off to a junior, no swapped appointments, and no pressure to pick from a wall of flash. Just one artist focused on your piece.
What Kev is known for
His strongest work tends to be detailed and layered — realism and portraits where depth and contrast carry the piece, and black and grey built to age well rather than just look sharp on day one. Colour work is tailored to skin tone, and there's room for lighter illustrative and fine line pieces when the idea calls for it.
Because one person handles every commission, the range stays honest: Kev will say when an idea suits his hand and when it might be better served by a different artist. For a fuller breakdown of each style and how the design is built, see the custom tattoo studio page.
How to choose a tattoo artist in Derby
The best tattoo artist for you is the one whose existing work looks like what you want. Every tattooist has a lane, so start with the portfolio rather than the studio's name or its follower count. Look for consistency across healed pieces, not just fresh photos.
After that, the basics matter: licensed premises, single-use needles, a proper consultation before any deposit, and clear pricing. Meeting the artist in person — and feeling unrushed — usually tells you everything you need to know before committing to a session.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the tattoo artist at Tattoo Creations? +
Kev Oakton is the resident tattoo artist and owner. He has tattooed since 2006 and personally handles every stage — the consultation, the design, the session, and aftercare. You won't be passed to a junior or a different artist.
What styles does Kev specialise in? +
Realism and portraits, black and grey, full colour, illustrative work, and fine line. Cover-ups and redesigns are a regular part of the studio too. If you're unsure which style suits your idea, that's exactly what the consultation is for.
How do I choose a tattoo artist in Derby? +
Start with the portfolio, not the studio name — look for an artist whose existing work matches the style you want, since every tattooist has strengths. Then check hygiene standards, whether they offer a real consultation, and how they price. Meeting the artist before you book tells you a lot.
Does Kev tattoo every piece himself? +
Yes. Tattoo Creations is a single-artist studio, so Kev does all the tattooing personally. It's one of the reasons the studio is appointment-only rather than walk-in.
How experienced is the artist? +
Kev has tattooed since 2006, building a large body of custom work across a wide range of styles over many years in the studio.
Connect with us
Start Your
Journey
Ready to plan your Derby tattoo? Share your idea and we’ll confirm consultation availability within one business day.
Studio Location
Serving Derby, Chellaston, Spondon, Nottingham & the East Midlands.
Studio Hours - (Appointment Only)
Tattoos are scheduled appointments — availability varies, so please enquire.
Follow Our Work
Request Consultation
Prefer to speak directly?
kev@tattoocreations.co.uk