Working under the moniker Pain Ting, Szymon Gdowicz brings a painterly touch to his tattoos. The colorful works of body art feature bold pigment that mimics the carefree fluidity of watercolor, with giant brushstrokes and drips across skin. They are punctuated by finer details that look like markers rather than the etching of a needle. Together, the styles convey a palpable energy.

Gdowicz’s tattoos differ greatly from his other portfolio of work. This other direction is inspired by painters from the 16th and 17th century and reflect their tightly-rendered style.

Photos © Szymon Gdowicz