Create fine art on skin.

Learn how to create dynamic, emotional, painterly tattoos from Deanna James.

Tattoo & Painting Seminar

A 2-day hands-on seminar experience with Deanna James

Eden Body Art Studios - Dallas, TX

Sunday-Monday September 7-8

Deanna often says we are “in the Renaissance of tattooing.” The styles and the artwork being created in the tattoo industry simply didn’t exist 10 years ago.

Having pioneered the painterly tattoo style and technique, Deanna is a perfect example of artists that have paved a new way during this period. Not only has this style exploded because of Deanna’s work and awards on some of the largest stages in tattooing, but because she is constantly and excitedly sharing it with others.

Learn this style for yourself directly from Deanna in this intimate, immersive seminar

What You’ll Experience

Day 1: Painting Theory + Oil Painting Class

  • Understand how Deanna's color choices, use of light and shadow, and layering are rooted in classical oil painting. Then create your own canvas piece to internalize her process.

  • Deanna will help you recreate a portrait of an old master’s painting—the same way they learned. She will guide you through step by step and prepare you for day two, whether you’ve been painting since childhood, or if it’s your first time.

Day 2: Tattoo Theory + Fake Skin Practice

  • Learn Deanna’s signature underpainting tattoo technique, how she approaches color theory, designs stunning compositions, and how she transfers crucial fine art concepts to tattooing.

  • You’ll recreate the same reference you painted the previous day on fake skin, equipped with the knowledge of how to apply the tattoo in layers and where to place your colors in skin tones and facial features.

What You’ll Learn

  • Deanna’s four-step underpainting tattoo technique.

  • How to create color portraits with an exceptional understanding of facial anatomy and where to place yellows, reds, and blues in skin tones.

  • How to design dynamic pieces that flow with any part of the body.

  • Deanna’s complete tattoo setup: the needle groupings and colors she uses in each step of her process.

  • The 5 essential art concepts Deanna applies to every tattoo.

  • How to make your tattooing process more efficient.

  • And anything else you’d like to know. Q&A will be open throughout both days.

What’s Included

  • A light breakfast and catered lunch each day (dietary restrictions will be accounted for)

  • Fake skin and references

  • The slides used for both presentations

  • The video of Deanna’s fake skin tattoo start-to-finish

  • The same inks, needles, and cartridges Deanna uses

  • Canvas, paints, brushes, and easels.

  • If you prefer to work with your own brands, you can bring whatever you like. You will need to bring your own machine/power supply.

Who This Seminar is For

Any tattoo artist can benefit from this seminar. Many of Deanna’s techniques and methods are transferrable to any style. Over the years, she’s continued to simplify her teaching methods and processes to be more understandable for any experience level. Oil painting experience is not required for this seminar.

Because this seminar will feature a different subject matter and format than previous seminars, even students who have attended Deanna’s seminars in the past can benefit greatly from this seminar.

This seminar is for professional tattoo artists and apprentices only. You must be experienced using a tattoo machine.

How to Enroll

Enrollment for the seminar is currently by invitation only.

Subscribe to our Eden EDU Email List to be the first to know when tickets are available.

What it’s like to take a seminar with Deanna

What Students Say

  • “Deanna’s seminar was such an amazing experience. Watching her execute her process, first hand, in person was incredible. Her one-on-one instruction on the second day was invaluable."

  • “Deanna’s seminar completely transformed the way I look at art and my approach to tattooing. All of her techniques I have implemented into my work and the experience of this seminar with Eden Body Art Studios continues to inspire me daily."

  • “Deanna’s seminar was soo worth it!! She was able to translate her background in oil paintings into the fine art of tattooing perfectly. Great mentor, I learned so much & would definitely sign up for her next one.”

  • “I have been to 2 of Deanna’s seminars and I can tell you of all the seminars I’ve been to, hers were the best and most favorite ones. She’s very humble and her teachings are very easy to understand. Her techniques have helped me in so many ways. Everyone at Eden makes you feel welcome and at home as well. I cannot express my gratitude from learning from such a great teacher… and person. "

  • “Deanna was a fantastic instructor, knowledgeable, patient and so encouraging! Her perspective and artistic terminology was so refreshing and inspiring and she really focused on making sure we as her students took home a new technique or thought process to apply to our own work. I look forward to taking many more seminars with her and continuing to expand my knowledge and craft!”

  • “I left there with a new flame of inspiration lit with in me. Being able to have her go over theory and explain her techniques bridged so many gaps I didn’t even know I was missing. I’ve already seen improvements in my art and my tattoos. I am so grateful she was willing to share this information with other tattoo artists. She’s also a gem of a person, who is super easy to talk to. This was beyond worth it in so many ways.

About Deanna James

Deanna has been studying art for 25 years, tattooing for 12, and teaching for 6. Her resume includes incredible achievements, such as being named Dallas’s best tattoo artist, appearing on Ink Master three times, and winning Best of Show awards in New York, Los Angeles, and Europe.

Deanna is not only one of the best tattoo artists in the world–she’s also one of the very best art educators in the tattoo industry. She has taught dozens of seminars, including private seminars, hands-on seminars, conferences, and Symposiums. She is incredibly passionate about fostering the growth of tattoo artists of all levels, and has an enormous amount of experience in both tattoo methods and career development.

FAQ

  • Deanna breaks down color in a way that’s incredibly simple and easy to understand. Many of her students who have never done color feel confident in it after taking a seminar. If you’re a master at black and grey—you can master Deanna’s color techniques.

  • Yes. Deanna will break down the oil painting process step by step, regardless of your experience level.

  • You will recreate a color portrait, but Deanna’s techniques can be applied to any subject matter.

  • To get the most out of this seminar, you must be familiar with the techniques of whip shading (pendulum motion) and color saturation.