Fine-line handpoke tattoos

I create minimalist handpoke tattoos designed to feel timeless, personal, and quietly intentional.

Book an Appointment

Selected Work

Close-up of a person's shoulder and upper arm with a tattoo of a fairy or angel holding a staff. The skin is freckled with light hair.
A person's arm with a small bunny and heart tattoo, wearing a metallic and black bracelet, next to a gray sleeve.
Tattoo of a melting clock, a woman running, and a few other designs on a person's upper arm.
A close-up of a person's arm with three small tattoos: a smiling cartoon dinosaur, a star, and a flower.
Tattoo of a disco ball on a person's arm.
Close-up of a person's thigh with a small star-shaped tattoo and a dotted line extending downward from the tattoo.
A person's arm with a small shell tattoo, wearing a pink top, in front of a brick wall.
A person's upper arm with a small, delicate tattoo of a handheld mirror with the words 'Good Vibes' written around the top of the mirror's frame.
A tattoo of two flying pterodactyls on a person's upper arm next to a brick wall.
Tiny tattoo of a glass bottle with a flower stem and small flower inside, on a person's arm.
Close-up of a person's upper arm with a tattoo of a cat's face inside a circle, decorated with a bow above, and handwritten text below that reads 'you're the sun to me'.
Tattoo of small black triangles arranged in a pattern on a person's forearm.
Tattoo of three balloons spelling 'SYP' with strings hanging down on a person's arm, along with other tattoos including a detailed circular design, a pair of dice, and a cowboy boot.
IMG_8258.jpeg
View Portfolio

A quieter tattoo experience

I tattoo from a private studio in Santa Monica. It’s a calm, clean space where I can work one-on-one with clients without the noise or pace of a traditional tattoo shop.

Appointments are intentionally unhurried, with time to look at sizing and placement together, make small adjustments, and settle in before we start.

Solo Sessions
Most appointments are one-on-one and booked by session length depending on the size, detail, and number of tattoos.

Group Sessions
Friends, couples, and small groups can book together when they want to make a shared experience

A cozy corner of a room with a beige chaise lounge, a white pillow, and a small side table with a potted plant and some items on it. There's a window with blinds and sheer curtains, and a tall floor lamp with a curved arm and a lampshade. A small shelf with a plant and books is also visible.
A cozy corner of a room with a beige chaise lounge, a white pillow, and a small side table with a potted plant and some items on it. There's a window with blinds and sheer curtains, and a tall floor lamp with a curved arm and a lampshade. A small shelf with a plant and books is also visible.

Why handpoke?

A quieter, slower approach to tattooing that works especially well for fine, organic linework.

Calmer

No buzzing or machine vibration. The process feels quieter, slower, and easier to settle into.

Organic

Built by hand, one point at a time. The result is fine linework with a softer, more natural feel as it heals.

Precise

Working point by point allows the design to be built gradually, with close control over line weight, spacing, and small details.

A young man takes a selfie in a room with a wall decorated with framed art. He has curly dark hair, is wearing a gray T-shirt, and holds a camera in his right hand. Sunlight creates shadows on his face.

About Max

I’m Max, a fine-line handpoke tattoo artist based in Santa Monica. I’ve been tattooing professionally since 2021, with 2,000+ clients tattooed along the way.

My work focuses on small details, clean linework, and simple designs that feel personal without feeling overworked.

I also put a lot of care into the experience around the tattoo itself, from straightforward booking and easy communication to making sure each appointment feels relaxed and collaborative.

More about me

Kind Words From Clients

  • “Thank you for making my first tattoo experience so memorable. I absolutely love my tattoo, and I really appreciated your professionalism and how comfortable and supported you made me feel throughout the process.”

    Clarisa · First-Time Client

  • “I love my new tattoo! You were really able to capture the essence of my cat in his portrait. You were professional but also casual and easy to talk to. I’ll definitely recommend you to a friend!”

    Mia · Custom Tattoo Client

  • “We were so impressed with your talent and patience. Your space is immaculately clean, and so is your practice—we felt very well taken care of. We love our pieces!”

    Angel · Returning Client

  • “I had a great experience and love my tattoo! I’ll definitely be back and have already pointed friends your way.”

    Victoria · Client

  • “My tattoo looks and feels great. I felt very comfortable throughout the whole process and am so happy with how it turned out. I look forward to coming back for more in the future!”

    Grace · Client

  • “Thank you again for giving me my dream tattoo. I love everything about your work and studio. The process was very comforting and personable, and you are so easy to talk to.”

    Clarisse · Client

  • “I LOVE my tattoo so much! The design, detail, size, and placement all feel perfect, and the whole experience was such a great one. Thank you!”

    Liz · First-Time Client

Have something in mind?

Explore availability and choose the session that best fits your idea.

Book an appointment
Questions? View FAQs →