Pro Artist of the month - Callum Glover

January 08, 2026 - 1 week ago

A new year means new artists to take inspiration from – or book in with if you’re looking for fresh ink – so we’re starting off 2026 with blackwork specialist Callum Glover, aka Dark Days Tattooer.

Whether it’s his tried-and-trusted blackwork or tattooing vibrant white pieces over blackouts, Callum is an artist with truly outstanding work.

We spoke to Callum about the inspiration behind his artist name, his favourite part of blackwork, and what his New Year’s resolution is for 2026.

What was the main inspiration for pursuing a career as a full-time tattoo artist?

I’ve always loved drawing, but for a long time I honestly had no clue what I wanted to do. The first time I picked up a tattoo machine, it just clicked, I knew straight away this was it. I’d finally found a way to express myself that actually felt genuine, and it gave me some real direction for the first time.

What inspired your artist name of “Dark Days Tattooer”?

The name came from wanting to put a bit of my soul into my work. I’ve always felt like the dark days have been part of my story, and tattooing is what pulled me out of them. So “Dark Days Tattooer” basically represents good things coming from the bad.

Have you always preferred tattooing in blackwork or did you dabble in colour at the start?

I’ve tried most things, and I still do colour, just not as often. I found blackwork pretty quickly because I loved dotwork and linework. It just feels like me. I really enjoy the contrast of light against dark and thick lines against thin lines, and I’m very detail-driven, so precision is a big thing for me.

Were there artists or studios that shaped how you work or think about tattooing?

It actually took me a few years to find artists who really grabbed my attention, mainly other blackwork artists. I’m lucky that my circle of friends in tattooing are some of the best blackwork artists I’ve met. Each one of them has shaped and reshaped the way I think about tattooing and how I approach my work.

What is your secret to super bold yet clean lines in your work?

Honestly, there isn’t really a “secret”, it’s patience, repetition, and sticking to the basics. Knowing your equipment is vital and putting in enough hours that a lot of it becomes muscle memory. Taking your time and not rushing makes all the difference.

What is your favourite part of blackwork – lining, stippling, or whip shading?

Lining, for sure. There’s something super satisfying about seeing the whole structure of the tattoo come together, especially when you hit that perfect, crisp, solid line. And if a design needs dotwork or stippling, then I love watching it create more depth and dimension in that tattoo.

Can you share your #1 tip for tattooing white over blackouts?

My main tip is actually about design, contrast is everything. I find that bolder details and simpler, more readable designs work much better, because they can be read from across the room and age better. And when it comes to the tattooing itself, make sure not to overwork the skin, as white is a thick, messy pigment and can be hard to work with.

What led you to opening your own private studio, Sad Souls Tattoo?

I wanted a space where I could really focus on my work and make clients feel comfortable. Having a private studio gives me more control over the environment, the pace of the day, and the whole experience.

It was also partly born out of wanting to be closer to my family and finally have somewhere I can call home – I spend almost as much time at the studio as I do at my actual house.

Who else works alongside you at your studio?

At the moment it’s just me and @niarosetattoos. It’s a small setup, which we really like, because it keeps things focused and personal for clients and gives them a more tailored experience.

What is your process for working with clients, from initial consultation to finished tattoo?

I like to start with a conversation about what they’d like to get, we then talk through ideas, placement, possibilities, and any other details. From there, I work on the design over photos of the area, so I can create something custom that fits and flows with the desired placement of the client. I’ll also use any references they send to make sure we’re both on the same page creatively.

On tattoo day, we go over the idea again, make any necessary alterations to make sure everything feels right, then that’s where I do my thing.

How has using Get Ink streamlined your booking process?

It has made the entire process a lot easier to manage. Bookings, messages, deposits, and appointments are all in one place, which saves me a lot of time and keeps things organised. It also helps stop me from making booking errors like double booking, which is super helpful for me.

On top of that, clients regularly mention how easy and helpful it is to use, so it really feels like a win–win.

What tips would you give someone starting out in tattooing, as well as for a client getting their first tattoo?

For artists:

Take your time, don’t rush. Practice, practice, and more practice. Muscle memory and a real understanding of the techniques only come from repetition. It might sound like a boring answer, but it’s a true one. Try as much as you can while you’re learning and soak it all up, there’s so much to learn and it’s a never-ending journey, but the more you understand, the better start you’ll have. Also, choose your mentor wisely, they’ll be the one guiding you through most of that journey.

For clients:

Make sure you research your artist properly. Not everyone can do everything, and a lot of artists have their own specialties. Finding the right artist for you, and for the tattoo you want, is super important when you’re getting something that’s going to be with you for life.

What tattoo brands and products can you simply not work without?

Quality needles and machines from Inkclaw are a big one for me, they’re precise and consistent, along with Panthera XXX Tribal Black ink. When it comes to stencilling, my stencils can be pretty complex and sometimes need to last hours and hours, so I use Proton stencil products because they do exactly what I need, every time.

What aftercare routine do you recommend to your clients, and do you have any tips for making tattoo healing easier?

I always say to keep it clean, and keep it wrapped while it’s still seeping. Where possible, allow it to air out as well, this helps reduce the build-up of moisture on the tattoo. Remove the wrapping every two or three hours to clean it, pat it dry, and re-wrap if needed.

When it comes to creams, I believe the body knows how to heal itself, our job is to create the right environment. Once the tattoo starts to dry out, I suggest using a light, fragrance-free sensitive moisturiser, we recommend Palmer’s Cocoa Butter or coconut oil, only a small amount, rubbed in fully.

For cleaning, I like using water wipes. They’re almost all water, so they’re wet and thick, which helps them glide over dry, flaky tattoos without dragging.

My best tip overall is to keep the skin as close as possible to how it was before it was tattooed: clean, not too wet, not too dry. It will get a bit dry, and that’s where moisturiser comes in, just use it sparingly so it doesn’t become too wet.

What does being part of the tattoo community mean to you right now?

For me, it’s definitely about support, learning, and growing together, but it’s more than that. Tattooing and the tattoo community gave me a home. It gave me a place to exist with like-minded people who had, for whatever reason, also found tattooing. It helped me find my people.

Most of my closest friends are from within the industry, so in a lot of ways it gave me somewhere to belong, and that means a lot to me.

What was your favourite moment of 2025 – either in work or outside of it?

My two favourite moments from 2025 were, first, seeing clients come back and trust me with more and more of their skin. Bigger projects, more of my style, and people choosing me for my vision when they could have gone anywhere else, that really meant a lot.

The other one was doing a few conventions and bumping into friends again. It reminded me why I started doing conventions in the first place, for the community and the people.

After a long day of tattooing, what helps you unwind and relax?

I very rarely fully switch off. For me, it’s more about finding things that let my brain not think so much. Most of the time it’s scrolling online, watching YouTube, or heading to the gym, just anything that helps me mentally reset for a bit.

What was the best present you got for Christmas, and if a client could give you free reign for a tattoo as a present, what would you create?

My best Christmas gifts are usually whatever my kids get me. It’s not really about the gift itself, it’s the meaning, the thought, and who it comes from. So yeah, presents from my kids are always the best ones.

If a client gave me full free rein, I’d love to design a full project, chest, stomach, legs, and sleeves, something that complements the client’s body, strong and delicate at the same time, with good contrast and balance. Honestly, I just love big projects. I love getting my teeth stuck into something.

What’s your ideal way to welcome in the New Year – at home relaxing or out and about in town?

Honestly, I don’t tend to do much for New Year. I like to sit, reflect, and figure out where I’d like to go and who I want to be in the year ahead, just generally preparing myself for what’s to come.

Do you have a New Year’s resolution, and if so, can you share it?

My main goal is to keep improving and keep pushing, both in my work and as a person, to see what I’m capable of, and to stay consistent while also taking better care of myself outside of tattooing.

What’s on your playlist when tattooing, either in your headphones or out of the studio speakers?

I tend to listen to what you’d probably call emo rap. Sonically it just sounds good and it’s pretty non-offensive for anyone hearing it, but if you actually listen to the lyrics there’s a lot of depth there too. It’s easy listening, which helps on long days with different clients. And every now and then, if the mood’s right, we’ll throw on a bit of drum and bass as well.

Do you have any conventions currently lined up this year?

As of yet, I’m not sure. I’m going to get January out of the way first, then take a proper look at my travel plans. I’d love to work abroad again and maybe guest around the country a bit more. Fingers crossed I get to attend some conventions this year as well.

What’s next for Callum Glover?

What’s next? Honestly, the plan is always the same, the details just change a little along the way. I want to keep growing, take on bigger projects, push myself and push my style. I want to build a strong client base and have good relationships with the people who trust me with their skin.

I’d love to take my work on the road, go abroad, experience new things, new places, new people, and keep tattooing as I do so.

Thank you to Callum for taking part in our interview – the first one in 2026! You can find more of his work by following him on Instagram at @darkdaystattooer, TikTok at @darkdaystattooer, and Facebook at @tattoosbycallum.