Mario Dos Santos: From Classroom Sketches to Masterful Tattoos

Brazilian tattoo artist Mario Jorge M. R. Dos Santos, born in São Paulo, has built a tattoo career grounded in passion, precision, and continuous evolution. With over two decades of experience, Mario combines technical skill with deep artistic sensibility.

The Kid Who Couldn't Stop Drawing

Mario was that kid — the one in the back of the classroom always sketching instead of taking notes. “I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do in life, but I knew it had to involve drawing,” he shares. At the age of 12, he took the first real step: walking alone to a nearby drawing school to inquire about lessons. That day gave his childhood hobby new weight and direction.

A Self-Made Artist in a Working-Class Family

Mario doesn’t come from an artistic background. “I think I’m the first in my family to take this path,” he says with a smile. His grandparents lived a modest life in the countryside, and his father worked in metal factories. Still, Mario paved his own way through pure dedication.

How Tattooing Found Him

While art was always present in Mario’s life, it took a few years to land in tattooing. At 19, he discovered airbrushing, which helped him refine his technique and hand control — essential skills for his future craft. Around the same time, a cousin who was already tattooing introduced him more closely to that world.

The turning point came with a visit to the legendary Scorpions Tattoo studio in São Paulo, where Mario bought his first tattoo machine. Two years later, he was invited to join TattooYou, one of the city’s most iconic studios. “That’s where my real education began,” he says. “Everything started to click.”

Falling in Love with Lines

Mario’s early tattooing days weren’t always easy. “I actually didn’t enjoy doing linework at first — I just wanted to get to the shading,” he recalls. But that changed when he saw artist Mauro Nunes tattooing an intricate mandala. “I realized I didn’t like lines because I didn’t know how to do them properly.” Since then, linework has become one of his greatest strengths.

A Style Built on Technique and Subtlety

Mario describes himself as a “technical artist.” His tattoo style is a blend of texture and softness — whether through smooth realism or bold shadows. “I try to bring my technical understanding of art directly to the skin.”

Realism with a Deep Respect for Japanese Work

Most of Mario’s clients come to him for realistic tattoos, and he loves bringing lifelike detail to skin. But he also has a deep admiration for Japanese tattooing. “It ages beautifully and taught me a lot about composition and how a tattoo should flow with the body.”

Designing a Tattoo Like Tailored Clothing

Mario believes that a tattoo should be as personal and fitting as a tailored outfit. He always prefers to meet clients for a consultation first. “A good conversation over coffee helps break the ice,” he says. On tattoo day, he carefully considers the person’s lifestyle — like sun exposure or job — to build a tattoo that fits them not only visually, but practically.

Linework: The Ultimate Tattoo Skill

If he had to name one technique that every artist should master, it’s linework. “It’s the backbone of the tattoo,” he explains. “Strong lines keep the design together and ensure the tattoo lasts.”

Long-Term Thinking: Tattoos That Age Well

For Mario, structure and visual balance are the keys to a timeless tattoo. “It’s not just about how it looks today — it’s about how it holds up in 5, 10, or 20 years. Knowing where to place black, contrast, and lines is essential.”

Loving the Process from Start to Finish

Ask him what stage of the tattooing process he enjoys most, and he won’t pick. “I love it all. If you only enjoy the end result, you rush everything in between. Loving the journey is how you create something truly solid.”

Evolving Without Ego

Staying relevant in the fast-changing tattoo world isn’t easy. “There are so many new tools and trends — some might seem unnecessary at first,” Mario admits. “But the moment you close yourself off, you fall behind.” For him, growth comes from balancing past experience with a willingness to explore the unknown. “That’s how you stay sharp. That’s how you stay inspired.”