Welcome to the Real Gone Blog
Consider this space your access point to the world behind the machines at Real Gone Denver.
This isn't just a portfolio page—it's our open blog, inviting you to step beyond the finished work and understand the intent and culture that defines our studio. Here, we dive deep into the technical demands of large-scale custom tattooing, share the philosophies that drive our crew, and connect with the broader community that supports serious collectors.
We're sharing knowledge and pulling back the curtain on the commitment required for this level of art.
What We Talk About
Expect practical and insightful content straight from the artists' chairs:
Studio Philosophies: Hear from our resident artists on crucial topics like design flow, composition, and the commitment required for master-level pieces.
Resources for Clients & Artists: Get useful advice, from the latest in aftercare and skin health to discussions on pigment, technique, and professional development.
Real Gone on the Road: We'll post updates on where the crew is traveling—from local Denver events to major tattoo conventions worldwide.
The Local Connection: Highlights of shows, collaborations, and events that keep us connected to the dynamic Colorado creative scene.
Pull up a seat. Let's talk shop, art, and the process of making something truly lasting.
Tattoo Prep 101: Essential Steps for Best Results and Healing
Getting tattooed is a physical process, and your body needs fuel to handle the stress and discomfort. Don’t let low blood sugar ruin your session! I know that everyone out there is trying to stay fit, stay healthy and don’t usually think it’s good for you to sit and eat candy all day. Good news for you, tattoo day is the one day where it is absolutely OK!
Darl Gnau
The first time a machine hummed in Darl Gnau’s hand, it wasn’t destiny or some romantic calling — it was survival. A way out. A way through. Before the studio, before the seminars, before artists flew into Denver to learn under the Summit banner, there was a kid sitting in the low light, chasing meaning through ink because nothing else in life made sense yet.
Brian Ulibarri
There are artists whose work is seen, and there are artists whose work is felt.
With Brian Ulibarri, the art reaches you first through atmosphere — a quiet pull, a gravity of presence — long before the details resolve. His tattooing carries a rare emotional resonance, the kind usually reserved for fine art hung beneath museum lighting. It is work that does not demand attention, but earns it through intention, poise, and depth.
Sage Raul
Realism with a Cosmic Edge
“I specialize in realistic tattooing,” Sage says, a calm statement that understates the range he brings to each piece. In session, he chases atmosphere as much as likeness: fogged edges, spectral textures, depth cues that make portraits breathe.
Alex Larsen
There are artists who tattoo — and then there are the ones the streets talk about.
Alex didn’t claw his way into this industry trying to make friends or follow trends. He built a style that looks like his sketchbooks bled onto skin — color when the piece demands to scream, black & grey when the soul calls for grit, always stamped with that “don’t water this shit down” integrity.
Proper Tattoo Aftercare: The Ultimate Guide to Healing Your New Ink
Getting a new tattoo is an exciting experience—one that blends art, storytelling, and personal expression.
This guide breaks down the entire healing process, step-by-step, so you know exactly how to care for your ink from day one to fully healed skin.
Numbing Cream, Laugh Now Cry Now
I get it—the first thing everyone asks about is the pain. Getting a tattoo does hurt, but your body is designed to handle it. The pain isn't just a nuisance; it’s a necessary trigger for your body's best defense: the endorphin rush.