Today we’d like to introduce you to Luis Castillo.
Hi Luis, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Luis Castillo – Tattoo Artist Specializing in Oriental Art and Yōkai Folklore
My name is Luis Castillo. I’m Venezuelan and I’ve been working in Miami at The One Tattoo Studio. I’ve been a tattoo artist since I was very young. My childhood was a very special time, full of happy moments thanks to my parents, whom I am deeply grateful to because without them I wouldn’t be who I am today. I discovered my love for drawing at age 8, and at 13, I picked up a tattoo machine for the first time. I remember my beginnings: my first tattoo, which I did myself, and one I got for a friend of my father. My father, with pride, humor, and affection, told me that one day I would do well; he was always my support.
My father was a great artistic influence. He drew and painted, and although I was never able to keep any of his works (they were lost), I remember him every day. I am his number one fan, and his legacy lives on in every stroke I write.
In 2004, I formally began my apprenticeship, learning from the basics: soldering and grouping needles, disassembling and repairing machines, to mastering fundamental techniques such as line drawing, shading, and color injection. It was a key stage in my training.
In 2006, I participated in my first national convention in the state of Yaracuy, Venezuela, where I won two awards: second and third place in the Color category. That experience motivated me to continue competing in national events and perfecting my art.
In 2009, I made the leap to international conventions, starting in Bogotá, Colombia, where I won first place in Shadows and second place in Oriental. From then on, my career took a broader path, leading me to represent my art in different countries, both as a competitor and a judge. Public support was key to my continued growth.
In 2013, I began to study Oriental art in greater depth, seeking to understand its foundations and adapt them to my style. In 2014, I discovered a universe that captivated me: yōkai folklore, a branch of traditional Japanese art that revolves around spirits, legends, and mythical creatures. This approach opened the door to new creative possibilities, as each yōkai character has its own unique story, symbolism, and expression.
Between 2015 and 2019, I developed a fusion of styles: realism, neo-traditionalism, and oriental art, with a strong yōkai influence. This evolution also led me to share my knowledge by teaching workshops (seminars) in different countries, explaining my techniques, processes, and artistic vision.
To date, I have actively participated in national and international conventions from 2006 to 2025, earning more than 100 awards both as an artist and as a judge at events such as Expo Tattoo and other prestigious platforms.
I continue to compete, learn, and teach with the same enthusiasm as the first day. Art, for me, is a way of life, and embracing stories, cultures, and emotions is what moves me every day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road wasn’t easy, but from a very young age, I knew that tattooing was something I was deeply passionate about. I was only 13 years old when I first saw some kids tattooing. That image filled me with curiosity and sparked a spark that remains lit to this day.
With what little I had at my disposal, I decided to build my own tattoo machine at home. I used an old radio motor, pens, wires, and a power source from some horns. That was my first homemade machine, rudimentary but functional, and with it I began to practice. At first, it was complicated: I didn’t have professional guidance or the right resources, but my passion and desire to learn were stronger than any obstacle.
By watching my friends who also tattooed, I better understood the technique, how to use the machine, and how to work with the skin. Little by little, with a lot of practice and perseverance, I mastered my homemade tool and began to create my first tattoos.
At 17, I had the opportunity that marked a turning point in my career: I started working in a professional studio. At the time, my role was to clean the place and help with designs. But for me, that space was like a second home. It was there that I was able to touch a professional tattoo machine for the first time and understand what it meant to work with real equipment.
In that studio, I acquired fundamental knowledge: I learned about hygiene, client care, more advanced techniques, and the proper operation of coil machines. It was around 2004 when I began tattooing with professional equipment, which allowed me to make a huge leap in quality and safety in my work.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to experiment with different types of machines. I particularly remember the Neuma machine, which ran on compressed air. Although it wasn’t very popular on the market, I used it to test it out as part of my evolution as a tattoo artist. It was a learning process, where I understood the importance of adapting to new technologies.
Today, thanks to advances in the tattoo industry and my experience gained over the years, I use rotary and cordless machines. I also work with cartridge-style needles, an innovation that has significantly improved comfort and precision. This technology allows for more efficient and safer work, minimizing the risk of cross-contamination and offering clients a more professional experience.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Tattoo Artist Specializing in Oriental Art and Yōkai Folklore
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Throughout my career, I’ve explored different tattoo styles, from realism to new school, but it was in 2012 that I found a true connection with a style that is now the core of my art: Neo-Oriental.
This style represents a fusion of realism, new school, and traditional Eastern aesthetics, especially inspired by cultures such as China, India, and, most particularly, Japan, which is my favorite.
Neo-Oriental is not just a visual style; it’s a profound cultural language that requires study, respect, and technique. It’s not simply about drawing Eastern figures, but about understanding their origins, symbolism, and how to integrate them into a composition that has harmony, coherence, and a true visual meaning.
Each character within the Eastern style has its own story, its own element, and its own meaning. Therefore, to create a truly solid and authentic piece, it’s necessary to thoroughly study each figure and how it should integrate with its visual environment. For example:
• The koi fish, a symbol of perseverance and transformation, should always be accompanied by water, its natural element.
• The kappa, a Japanese mythological creature also linked to water, should reflect this aquatic essence in its composition.
• The tengu, a protective and warrior spirit from Japanese folklore, belongs to the element of air, which is represented with transparency, movement, and cuts that evoke lightness or wind.
The challenge and beauty of the neo-Oriental style is that tattooing skill is not enough; it requires artistic understanding, cultural sensitivity, and a deep understanding of the symbolism behind each figure. Only in this way can a harmonious composition be achieved, with balance between the main character, the background, and the secondary elements surrounding the piece.
This approach has led me to delve deeper into the study of shapes, color palettes, energy lines, and the narrative composition of each tattoo.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/castillotattoo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1JTkQcHQqD/
- Other: https://www.threads.com/@castillotattoo
