Jac Alonso: Greek Mythology And Classical Art Influence His Realist Ink

Tattoo trends come and go, but one style of tattoos that never goes out of style is mythology tattoos. Jac Alonso would know. He is a New York City tattoo artist originally from Seville, Spain, and has been tattooing, specializing in realism and hyperrealism. Read the story of this awarded artist.

About Jac Alonso

As a lifelong fine artist and a tattoo artist since 2010, Alonso previously ran his own tattoo studio in Malaga before moving to New York City in 2023. He currently serves as the lead tattoo artist at Noble Art New York, bringing unparalleled expertise and a visionary approach to the studio. In his role, Jac sets the artistic standards that define the studio’s reputation for excellence, ensuring each piece of work reflects the brand’s commitment to creativity and craftsmanship.

Beyond his duties within the studio, Jac represents Noble Art New York on a global stage, attending tattoo conventions and spearheading marketing initiatives that highlight the studio’s artistry. He also shares his knowledge through seminars, fostering the growth of aspiring tattoo artists and solidifying his position as a respected leader in the industry. Jac’s multifaceted role ensures Noble Art New York remains a beacon of innovation and talent in the tattoo world. 

Alonso has won over a dozen awards for his tattoo work at conventions across the US. He recently won nine awards at the Meadowlands Tattoo Arts Festival in New Jersey, hosted by Villain Arts, winning first place for Best Portrait in Black and Grey Ink, and winning first place for Large Tattoo in Black and Grey.

This Spanish artist has inked several celebrity sports stars with hyper-realistic portraits of animals, people and mythological creatures. The list includes Jalen Ramsey, an American football player for the Miami Dolphins, as well as Dom Thompson, basketball player from California. 

His Tattooing Style

He has inked classical art and mythological figures on hundreds of clients over the past 14 years. “Classical art and mythology are endless sources of inspiration for me, as both contain a vast and profound visual and symbolic richness,” said Alonso. “Mythology offers characters and stories full of meaning, allowing me to create pieces with an emotional weight and personal connection for the client that go beyond a simple design.”

He has also inked Spanish soccer players, like Álvaro Vadillo, Chumi, a former FC Barcelona player, Lucas Robertone, Pozo and Miquel Villanueva, and has plans to ink New York Red Bulls soccer player Kyle Duncan, New York Giants football player Andru Phillips and Inter Miami soccer player Franco Negri. 

He has become an expert at creating a glossy, marble-like look that pays tribute to classic art marble sculptures. This is a difficult texture to create in ink.

“To achieve that marble aesthetic in a tattoo, I work extensively on contrasts and the way light and shadows are projected,” said Alonso. “I focus on creating a smooth, polished texture effect, similar to the sheen of marble, using various shading and gradient techniques. I also pay close attention to precise details and contours so that the image has that three-dimensional feel characteristic of Greek sculptures.”

He has also inked biblical figures, angels like Archangel Michael and the Last Supper. He has inked mythological figures like Poseidon, Hermes and Athena, as well. “I believe that, within mythology, it is one of the most requested figures to be tattooed, because of the symbolic charge it inspires and the imposing presence it offers in each piece,” said Alonso.

Awards Received

Alonso recently won awards at Papillon Tattoo Convention in Springfield, MA, where he received three first-place awards in Realism and Portrait Tattoos. He also received the honor to be a judge at the nation’s most prestigious tattoo convention, the New York Tattoo Convention, and also recently judged at the The 10th annual Tampa Tattoo Arts Festival in Tampa, organized by Villain Arts.

When it comes to Greek mythology, Alonso has used these figures to first learn how to draw. “At the beginning of my career as a tattoo artist, I became interested in understanding and studying the meaning of Greek mythology,” he said. “Later on, I even bought books and audiobooks to delve deeper into this topic. I discovered a fascinating world filled with characters and stories that convey lessons and values still relevant today.”

He has revisited them throughout his career, and they’re something he returns to on a regular basis, not only for their symbolism but their meaning. “Each mythological story offers a profound lesson, which makes it very appealing for tattoo art,” said Alonso. “The aesthetic of its figures and sculptures is impressive, especially considering their creation without modern tools. This makes Greek mythology a very popular style, not only for its visual beauty but also for the symbolism that remains meaningful today.”

Check out @jac_alonso on Instagram.