Ruby Ink: From Moscow to Master of Realism – The Story of Natali El-Mardenli

In collaboration with Tattoogenda, we shine a light on the inspiring journey of Natali El-Mardenli, known in the tattoo world as Ruby Ink. Her path led her from Turkmenistan to Russia, and eventually to Germany, where she now works as a renowned realism tattoo artist.

A Life Rooted in Art

Born on June 26, 1992, in Turkmenistan, Natali spent most of her life in Moscow, where her love for drawing and visual arts emerged at a young age. She attended art school and later earned a higher degree in fine arts. “Art has always been an essential part of my life,” she says. Before stepping into tattooing, Natali worked in the film industry doing special effects makeup—an experience that sharpened her understanding of anatomy, light, and texture. “That knowledge still plays a huge role in my tattoo work today.”

Falling in Love with Tattooing

Natali discovered tattooing at the age of 13—and it was love at first sight. But in those early days, information about tattooing was scarce. “I had to teach myself everything step by step. It was frustrating at times, but it taught me to be persistent and always curious.” Her classical art background helped her develop a unique style by combining traditional techniques with modern tattoo methods.

The Ruby Ink Signature: Emotion, Contrast, and Detail

While she’s skilled in both color and black & grey realism, Ruby Ink has recently gravitated more toward black & grey. “I love working with contrast and soft transitions. My goal is always to bring emotion and life into every piece.”

Her favorite subjects? Faces, hands, and anything that conveys deep emotion. “These elements allow me to tell stories through fine details and subtle expression.” Her design process starts with gathering reference material and inspiration, then gradually shaping a story through composition and refinement.

The Art of Shading and Storytelling

One of the most difficult skills to master was creating soft, realistic shadows. “It took years of practice. Smooth shading without harsh lines requires patience and precision.” Today, it’s one of the signature elements in her work—blending depth, contrast, and flow seamlessly with the body.

“For me, it’s all about the details. Every part of the tattoo has to make sense visually and emotionally.”

From Vision to Emotion

While every stage of the tattoo process has its beauty, the final moment is her favorite. “When the client sees the finished tattoo for the first time—that emotional reaction when their vision becomes reality—that’s priceless.”

Always Evolving

Ruby Ink continues to grow by exploring new techniques and diving into other creative forms like oil painting. “As long as I stay curious and surround myself with inspiration, I’ll keep evolving as an artist.”

Recognition, Success, and the Road Ahead

Recently, Ruby Ink worked at Gods of Ink, one of the most prestigious tattoo conventions in the world. She is also a sponsored artist and co-owns a highly regarded tattoo studio in Germany together with her husband: @MyStory_Karlsruhe. Her talent has not gone unnoticed—at the Brussels Tattoo Convention, she proudly took home an award for her work.