About
THE DARK ESSENCE TATTOO GALLERY, MELBOURNE’S PREMIUM TATTOO STUDIO
Established in Richmond in 2018, with a vision to build a beautifully unique space that is challenging the idea of the stereotypical Melbourne tattoo studio.
Meet The Team
Our crew is made up of creative people with different nationalities and backgrounds but with the same passion for tattooing and the tattoo community.
Loretta Perry
Tattoo Artist
Shane Talay
Tattoo Artist
Andrew Smith
Tattoo Artist
Laura Jane
Senior Apprentice
Joe Metrix
Tattoo Artist
Sandy Thang
Admin
Ivan Peesy
Tattoo Artist
Ben Pian
Junior Apprentice
Amy Whitham
Admin
Nick Sanna
Tattoo Artist
Mill Younger
Tattoo Artist
Han Bates
Junior Apprentice
Guest Artists
We are proud to host some of the greatest artists from all over the globe here at The Dark Essence.
We have new artists every month so keep an eye on our instagram or sign up to our newsletter for updates about which artists we have coming!
If you are an artist interested in joining us, email info@thedarkessence.com
Gift Vouchers
Looking for the perfect present?
Our vouchers are valid with any of our artists and are valid for 12 months. Free postage with tracking or pick it up in the studio! Email us info@thedarkessence.com or call (03) 9428 3309
Contact Us
⚜️ Clint Eastwood in @lorettaperry signature style, faceless portraits. Give this awesome fine line piece some love! #thedarkessence #metrixtattoo #metrixneedles
⚜️ Take a look at some of the work that guest artist @rline_tattoo did during their time with us. Thanks for coming, was great to have you!!
⚜️ Welcoming guest artist @mi_li3_art ⚜️
Coming all the way from France, Emily will be tattooing here at The Dark Essence for 5 days only, 5-10th Dec. Be sure to slide in her DMs if you want to catch her before she is gone !
Tattoo artist @ziho_tattooer using @metrixneedles to aid in perfecting his craft - look at the precision of those lines!
Ziho flew down from Korea to guest with us at @thedarkessence last month and pulled off some incredible work during this time. Thanks for guesting with us Ziho, was a pleasure!
We love having guest artists through and seeing new faces. If you’d like a guest spot at The Dark Essence - let’s chat!
⚜️ Take a look at this insane collab @mill.younger and @andrewsmithtattoo pulled off in 3 days consecutive at @austattooexpo Perth a few months back. Incredible work 👏👏
The boys shaved off their moustaches three weeks ago to raise money for Movember. Some were more attached to their facial hair than others, none the less, they all shaved it off for a good cause. You can support the boys and Men’s mental health via the link in our bio and leave a donation, every cent counts. Leave a donation and we will chuck an aftercare cream on your account, to be redeemed at your next tattoo session. Just leave your name and number in the donation message box.
The boys shaved off their moustaches three weeks ago to raise money for Movember. Some were more attached to their facial hair than others, none the less, they all shaved it off for a good cause. Swipe to see their progress. You can support the boys and Men's mental health via the link in our bio and leave a donation, every cent counts. Leave a donation and we will chuck an aftercare cream on your account, to be redeemed at your next tattoo session. Just leave your name and number in the donation message box and mention who’s moustache looks the snazziest.
⚜️ Nick completed this sick chicano leg piece for Jaye a couple months back at @austattooexpo Brisbane.
Jaye ended up coming back for more and paid a visit to Nick in Melbourne. They managed to smash out the rest of the half leg in 2 days consecutive. Check it out, half healed, half fresh. Hit us up for more chicano pieces ! #thedarkessence #metrixtattoo #metrixneedles
⚜️ Welcoming back guest artist @bbok2gonzo ⚜️
Gonzo is back for a limited time only. She is making her way to Melbourne for the @austattooexpo (2nd - 4th Dec) and has tacked a few extra days onto her trip to guest with us at The Dark Essence. Catch Gonzo from 1st - 11th Dec, book now before she is gone! #thedarkessence #metrixtattoo #metrixneedles
⚜️ What Styles Do We Tattoo at The Dark Essence: Black And Grey edition. Take a look at some of the sick pieces are artists pump out. Send us a DM if you are thinking of getting something like this for your next piece ! #thedarkessence #blackandgrey #realism
⚜️ Throwback to this outer sleeve done in 3 days consecutively at Perth @austattooexpo by @ivanpeesy_vision. Ivan only has 2 dates left to book for November and December is filling up. DM to book!!
Artist: How much metal do you want?
Client: Yes
⚜️ Insane heavy metal band sleeve by @andrewsmithtattoo⚜️
#thedarkessence #metrixneedles #metrixtattoo
⚜️Guest specialist body piercing coming to The Dark Essence 20th Nov ⚜️
Joining us is @birthrightadornment with 9 years of experience Darcy is here to curate your personalised ear piercings and body piercings. Using only the best industry leading certified implant grade jewellery, you are in good hands for your next piercing. Book an appointment today!
⚜️ Blackwork butterfly sternum piece done by @shanetalaytattoo recently 🔥
📸 @shanetalaytattoo #thedarkessence #metrixtattoo #metrixneedles
⚜️WELCOMING GUEST ARTIST @haveleapmonth ⚜️ We have another great artist guesting with us from Nov 4th - Nov 30th. They’re here for 3 weeks only, so be sure to book in before it’s too late. SWIPE >> to check out their work and some available designs
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⚜️ Clint Eastwood in @lorettaperry signature style, faceless portraits. Give this awesome fine line piece some love! #thedarkessence #metrixtattoo #metrixneedles
⚜️ Take a look at some of the work that guest artist @rline_tattoo did during their time with us. Thanks for coming, was great to have you!!
⚜️ Welcoming guest artist @mi_li3_art ⚜️
Coming all the way from France, Emily will be tattooing here at The Dark Essence for 5 days only, 5-10th Dec. Be sure to slide in her DMs if you want to catch her before she is gone !
Tattoo artist @ziho_tattooer using @metrixneedles to aid in perfecting his craft - look at the precision of those lines!
Ziho flew down from Korea to guest with us at @thedarkessence last month and pulled off some incredible work during this time. Thanks for guesting with us Ziho, was a pleasure!
We love having guest artists through and seeing new faces. If you’d like a guest spot at The Dark Essence - let’s chat!
⚜️ Take a look at this insane collab @mill.younger and @andrewsmithtattoo pulled off in 3 days consecutive at @austattooexpo Perth a few months back. Incredible work 👏👏
The boys shaved off their moustaches three weeks ago to raise money for Movember. Some were more attached to their facial hair than others, none the less, they all shaved it off for a good cause. You can support the boys and Men’s mental health via the link in our bio and leave a donation, every cent counts. Leave a donation and we will chuck an aftercare cream on your account, to be redeemed at your next tattoo session. Just leave your name and number in the donation message box.
The boys shaved off their moustaches three weeks ago to raise money for Movember. Some were more attached to their facial hair than others, none the less, they all shaved it off for a good cause. Swipe to see their progress. You can support the boys and Men's mental health via the link in our bio and leave a donation, every cent counts. Leave a donation and we will chuck an aftercare cream on your account, to be redeemed at your next tattoo session. Just leave your name and number in the donation message box and mention who’s moustache looks the snazziest.
⚜️ Nick completed this sick chicano leg piece for Jaye a couple months back at @austattooexpo Brisbane.
Jaye ended up coming back for more and paid a visit to Nick in Melbourne. They managed to smash out the rest of the half leg in 2 days consecutive. Check it out, half healed, half fresh. Hit us up for more chicano pieces ! #thedarkessence #metrixtattoo #metrixneedles
⚜️ Welcoming back guest artist @bbok2gonzo ⚜️
Gonzo is back for a limited time only. She is making her way to Melbourne for the @austattooexpo (2nd - 4th Dec) and has tacked a few extra days onto her trip to guest with us at The Dark Essence. Catch Gonzo from 1st - 11th Dec, book now before she is gone! #thedarkessence #metrixtattoo #metrixneedles
⚜️ What Styles Do We Tattoo at The Dark Essence: Black And Grey edition. Take a look at some of the sick pieces are artists pump out. Send us a DM if you are thinking of getting something like this for your next piece ! #thedarkessence #blackandgrey #realism
⚜️ Throwback to this outer sleeve done in 3 days consecutively at Perth @austattooexpo by @ivanpeesy_vision. Ivan only has 2 dates left to book for November and December is filling up. DM to book!!
Artist: How much metal do you want?
Client: Yes
⚜️ Insane heavy metal band sleeve by @andrewsmithtattoo⚜️
#thedarkessence #metrixneedles #metrixtattoo
⚜️Guest specialist body piercing coming to The Dark Essence 20th Nov ⚜️
Joining us is @birthrightadornment with 9 years of experience Darcy is here to curate your personalised ear piercings and body piercings. Using only the best industry leading certified implant grade jewellery, you are in good hands for your next piercing. Book an appointment today!
⚜️ Blackwork butterfly sternum piece done by @shanetalaytattoo recently 🔥
📸 @shanetalaytattoo #thedarkessence #metrixtattoo #metrixneedles
⚜️WELCOMING GUEST ARTIST @haveleapmonth ⚜️ We have another great artist guesting with us from Nov 4th - Nov 30th. They’re here for 3 weeks only, so be sure to book in before it’s too late. SWIPE >> to check out their work and some available designs