Stef Bastiàn

Trying new papers ✨ I always liked the idea of not sitting on what you’re comfortable with to keep progressing. Even if n.1 favourite as you know remains the @archespapers Cold Press 185gsm and 300gsm, I’m trying bunch of different papers I found in different shops. Japanese washi papers, handmade Nepalese and Indian ones… some of them don’t even have a name, I just pick some and see what happens. Best part as you can see is that different supports require different tecniques to obtain the same fade, bit of a puzzle but I love a good challenge. On some of these handmade papers and such for instance I have to “push” the fade, rather than “pulling” it as with traditional watercolor papers. 🎨 𝗕𝗥𝗨𝗦𝗛𝗘𝗦 For lining what you see me using is just a 4$ synthetic round point. White fibers, not orange, called Toray, which I prefer the springiness of. The big white brush is just a Chinese calligraphy one(you found them everywhere) and the big fluffy one is a @davinci_artistbrushes_official Casaneo, which I absolutely love(the one I use the most of these is a size 4 series 438, the one in the video is bigger). 💡 𝗦𝗘𝗠𝗜𝗡𝗔𝗥 For more info on the new 1-on-1 online painting seminar, please visit Stefbastian.com or shoot me an email.

Breaking down forms ✍️

@shannon_harpytattoo’s experience from the last mentor program 🙏🏼 More testimonials and info at Stefbastian.com 📌 Booking now January (1 spot left)

On a really cool guy at the best convention in the world 👌 @kaiserstadt_tattoo_expo_aachen Guest spots & Conventions: •COPENHAGEN 🇩🇰 @tigretattooparlour 9/10 Oct 1-2 spots available, depending on size. •OSLO 🇳🇴 @bluearms.tattoo 11th-14th October 1 spot available on the 11th •ANCONA 🇮🇹 9-12 Novembre -Sarò ospite come speaker alla @tac.tattooartculture -Seminario di pittura in italiano 10 Novembre -Tatuerò alla @ancona_tattoo_expo •FIRENZE 🇮🇹 @florencetattooconvention 1-3 Dicembre SEMINARIO DI PITTURA (in italiano)+convention 👉 Ci sarà inoltre un’esibizione dei 33 dipinti della serie INFERNO, un tributo alla Divina Commedia di Dante. 📬 info@stefbastian.com

How I warm up before drawing or fill little gaps of time with something light ✍️ I use these slices of time to get into that “structural” or “gestural” mindset for later. Trying to figure out how to assemble these simpler shapes really helped my drawing in the last few years. A long way to go but still as fun as when I was 6 🥳

TATTOO TALES PODCAST - Episode 50🎙️ I’m really happy to have had the chance to chat with Swasthik, she is such a beautiful presence in the tattoo world. Known as @gunga_ma, for Swasthik tattooing runs deep in her blood. Her grandma, called Paccai Kutta Ma (tattoo mama), has been sticking and poking tattoos for over 40 years. Together with the spiritual practice she inherited growing up, she has been exposed from a young age to sacred symbols and rituals that reflects into her own art. I admire her work not only for the craftsmanship, creativity and dedication behind it but also and especially for the spirit with which she infuses it. A strong work ethic where the personal relationship with customers is a priority and gratitude is foundation on which her work stands. In the last years she has been progressively reconnecting more with her roots, especially the warrior women of the First Nation. In her words: “The women who bless me, guide me, show me strength. In our tradition, Women are Devi, women carry life, carry pain, carry compassion and carry wisdom.” Available on all major platforms ✨

Flashes available: info@stefbastian.com ✨ 📆 COPENHAGEN🇩🇰 @tigretattooparlour 9-10th Oct OSLO🇳🇴 @bluearms.tattoo 12th-14th Oct ANCONA🇮🇹 @ancona_tattoo_expo 10-12th Nov FIRENZE 🇮🇹@florencetattooconvention 1st-3rd Dec

Practice ✍️ We say that knowledge is power. Information is potential power, ACTION is real power. We gotta understand things intellectually but ultimately taking action is what makes the difference. Just constantly piling up information and references doesn’t do much for us if we don’t put in the hours. Also, rather than working harder we want to work SMARTER, meaning: 💡FOCUSED EFFORT 💡CLARITY OF VISION Goals and allignment. 💡MEANINGFUL PRACTICE Every exercise, line, decision has a purpose. Just practice doesn’t make perfect, the right practice does. Knowing what to do, when and how. In the last interview with Claudia De Sabe at the Aachen’s convention she shares how her process became more focused after becoming a mom, as time is more scarce. Gold.

Updates 📆 Guest spots: •COPENHAGEN 🇩🇰 @tigretattooparlour 9/10 Oct 1-2 spots available, depending on size. •OSLO 🇳🇴 @bluearms.tattoo 11th-14th October 1 spot available on the 11th 📬 info@stefbastian.com •ANCONA 🇮🇹 9-12 Novembre -Sarò ospite come speaker alla @tac.tattooartculture -Seminario di pittura in italiano 10 Novembre -Tatuerò alla @ancona_tattoo_expo •FIRENZE 🇮🇹 @florencetattooconvention 1-3 Dicembre Nella mia amata Firenze darò un seminario di pittura in italiano il 1 Dicembre e tatuerò in convention. Abbiamo un’altra piccola sorpresa per il weekend che magari sveleremo presto 😉 📬Per informazioni e disponibilità info@stefbastian.com

New flashes available ✨ •𝗕𝗼𝗼𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗼𝗽𝗲𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿: Barcelona Oslo-Cph(October) Ancona(November) Firenze(December). •𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟰 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻𝘀: Cologne/Mannheim(Jan-Feb) Milano Helsinki Eindhoven/Amsterdam. More details on dates and locations soon, updates on the broadcast channel 👌 📨 info@stefbastian.com

Studies - breaking down forms ✍️ I believe the most important thing in your practice is TO SHOW UP. You don’t have to be perfect, you don’t have to keep up with unrealistic standards, you don’t have to compare with this one or that one. Having someone to look up to is great for inspiration and motivation but let’s not let it do the opposite: talk ourselves down. That internal dialogue is where everything starts, your success or your demise, you choose. I am the first to demand a lot of myself, often too much, but I always try to remember: 5’ sketching is better than no sketching. 10’ workout is better than no workout. Be stronger than excuses and kind to yourself. If you show up for your practice you already did more than the one that didn’t 💪 Thanks @shannon_harpytattoo for the reminder 😊 Mentorship and classes: info@stefbastian.com

Find me at the @kaiserstadt_tattoo_expo_aachen this weekend ✨ Amongst today hundreds of shows, the Aachen’s convention represents the experienced, dedicated and innovative side of tattooing. A smalller gathering of extremely selected individuals stripped of all the commercial noise. One of the best in the world. Thanks @andreas_coenen for not grabbing the cash by exponentially multiplying the boots. I’m proud to be part of it 💪 See you all this weekend! 🥳