He could have become a baker or an electrician, but Tobias Burchert, a.k.a Elschwino, chose the path of tattooing. Sometimes you need to sidestep destiny to find your true self ! He’s been a tattoo artist for 13 years, and now works from his private parlor ‘Goldschwein’ that he shares with his partner Maria Dolg, also a tattoo artist. Their workshop is located in Halle-Salle, not far from Leipzig in the East of Germany. Elschwino combines artistic styles moving from graphic to realism, and adding sketch-like aspects. His pieces are comprised of vibrant colors giving striking results. These graphic collages on skin are highly poetic. His childhood reminscences bestow a surrealistic dimension to his figures and animal portraits.
Tell me, how did you become a tattooist ?
I’m an electrical engineer. I studied electricity but I stopped the course to become a tattooist.
What made you change direction ?
Both of my parents are bakers and wanted me to learn a trade. So I applied to be an electrician like my brother, and I did my apprenticeship. However, I’ve always liked drawing, I never gave that up. I’ve been drawing since fifth grade in primary school and I’ve always been interested in art. I got my first piercing at the age of 11 and that was the first time I saw how tattooing was done, I found that really interesting. It took a while for me to decide to become a tattooist though, because at the time it wasn’t as reputable as today. I had to stop my electrician’s apprenticeship and go to art school. I lost interest though because I wanted to be more creative. I went to see my tattooist and asked if I could start working with him, he let me start the very next day.
How did you learn ? Did this tattooist train you up ?
I started tattooing in 2008 and my ex-boss taught me everything. I worked in that parlor for a year and a half. After that I moved to Dessau where I worked in a street shop for 8 years, that’s where I really worked on my signature style.
How did you learn to draw ? And how did you develop your current syle ?
I’ve been drawing since I was a kid, and I’m self-taught. I bought a lot of books on drawing and watched every one of Bob Ross’ shows ! Mt style is a mix between graphic, realism and sketch styles. For me it’s natural to bring all of that together in one tattoo.
You draw a lot of portraits, for example. Why do you like tattooing faces ?
I like tattooing portraits because each face is different. You can do really unique work and I always have a lot of ideas for portraits.
You have a remarkable feeling for colors. How do you work with them ?
I just love complementary contrasts and that’s how I build my work, through contrast, like if there’s an orange tone, I have to use a blue, if there’s a magenta, I have to use turquoise. The colors simply evolved over time. But I do also like working with black and gray, I also use different structures for the surfaces.
Can we talk about your personal touches ? Like the red noses, for example !
I like my red noses because they remind of the ones in my old children’s books that I found in my parents’ attic.
Like the little heart we often see on your tattoos, is it a kind of logo or signature ?
I started doing the little heart because I love hearts, and over time, it became my logo. I have to add my little dots and splashes around the tattoo as well, it’s become an obsession !
As for drawing, do you prefer to work on paper or tablet ?
I used to draw on paper until three years ago, but a tablet can be really useful, so I changed. That said, I still prefer paper for real drawings. On the tablet, I just sketch then I put the finished tattoo directly onto the skin.
Where do you get most of your inspiration ?
I get my inspiration from nature and old books. I start by creating a collage of whatever I can get hold of and on the day of the tattoo, I prepare the stencil with my style. Then I draw my other ideas directly onto my client’s skin.
Are there any artists who particularly inspire you ?
Gustav Klimt Sergei Kolesov M. Werewolf (Univers 1920+)
Do you paint too ?
I still draw, but not as much as before, and since I’ve been tattooing, I’ve practically stopped painting. I need to do other things like a game, see friends or go for a walk in nature (probably not as often as I should!).
How do you create a project with a client ?
I like creating the final tattoo on the day with the client. Sometimes when we’re discussing the design, certains words will bring me fresh inspiration, or the client might tell me a story that I can use in the tattoo.
When did you open your own studio ? And why ?
I opened my studio in 2018. It was the right moment for me. After working for 8 years in a street shop, I wanted to open my own little place, away from the street, with more peace and comfort for the client and myself. We’re hidden away, you only get the address when you have an appointment. For me that’s a dream come true.
How do you see the current evolution in tattooing ?
It’s really grown over recent years. A lot of new and very creative tattooists have come up. I’m really happy about that because clients enjoy experimenting more and you can try a lot of amazing things. Whereas in the past we had to tattoo a lot of stars, now we get to do lots of new cool stuff.
And finally, what do you like most about what you do?
Creativity !!!! Meeting new people, sharing people’s stories, creating new things ! And knowing that someone will have one of my pieces on their skin for the rest of their lives makes me very proud. @elschwino
