Alex But: From Engineering to Ink — A Journey in Bold Lines and Miniature Worlds
In collaboration with Tattoogenda, we present the story of Alex But, born Olexander But, a 27-year-old Ukrainian tattoo artist who traded a future in engineering for the art of ink. With a passion for classic American traditional tattooing, Alex now blends that foundation with a more illustrative, modern flair—building a bold, readable style that captures structure, form, and emotion.
A Shift in Direction
Alex began his adult life on a very different path—studying engineering at Kharkiv Polytechnic University in Ukraine. To support himself, he worked weekends in a sushi bar. But something wasn’t right. “After two years, I realized engineering wasn’t my passion,” he says. “Art had always been my thing.”
That realization changed everything. He left university, picked up his sketchbooks, and began to immerse himself in tattooing.
Self-Taught, Self-Made
With no formal training and no iPad in sight, Alex built his first flashbook using pencil, markers, and watercolor. “I showed it to friends, and eventually bought a tattoo kit from a local artist.” He began tattooing close friends, and slowly, word spread. Soon, people were coming to him for custom pieces—and that’s when it became real.
Today, Alex is known for his evolving style: a mix of illustrative and traditional, always with strong contrast, solid black areas, and clean, intentional motifs. His favorite subject to tattoo? Architecture. “There’s something fascinating about turning massive buildings or industrial structures into small, wearable art.”
The Creative Process
Designing is where Alex thrives. “I get into the zone, plan how many pieces I want to create that day, sketch ideas, and gather them on a single canvas—sometimes on paper, sometimes digitally.” He aims to draw 10–15 flash designs in a day, ensuring a constant stream of fresh, unique work.
Challenges and Growth
Whip shading and fine line work took years of patience to master. But for Alex, they were crucial in developing precision. “Every technique has its learning curve, but understanding how a machine interacts with the skin makes all the difference.”
Looking forward, Alex keeps growing by watching other artists, studying different styles, and creating new work every month. “That’s how I evolve.”
