Before finding the beauty in miniature art, I found tattoos to be the art form that took my retinas' fancy. From all of the different styles and schools of tattoos, to the cultures and artists behind them; I was always incredibly in awe of this art form. As soon as I reached the legal age to do so, I acquired my own, and through the music and bands I was listening to at the time, as well as one of my closest friends training to become a tattooist himself, I was surrounded by tattoo art. Nowadays I find myself looking at more miniature art than anything else, which might seem a little less cultured than fine art, but it also means that when a piece is sprayed with orange paint, it was most likely integral to the finished look. So when I came across Gabriele Cardosi's tattoo work, specifically his Warhammer inspired tattoos, I knew I had to share his amazing art with you all. And luckily for all of us, he also agreed to answer some questions and talk to us about his experience as a tattooist and with Warhammer. So let's dive right in.
How and why did you start tattooing, and how long have you been a tattoo artist?
I started tattooing when I was 17 years old. A friend introduced me to a tattoo artist, and I began helping out at his shop. That’s where it all began. I’ve been tattooing ever since, so it’s been about 14 years now.
What inspires you as a tattoo artist?

I find inspiration in anything that leaves a strong impression on me. If I see something and think, “Wow, this is amazing,” my next thought is how it might translate to skin. My goal is for my tattoos to be powerful enough to leave a lasting impression.
When and why did you start creating Warhammer tattoos?
I briefly got into the Warhammer world as a kid, but it didn’t stick at the time—it felt too complicated and expensive for me back then. I returned to it a few years ago through the lore. I’d spend hours listening to Warhammer stories while painting and drawing, and over time, the two worlds naturally merged. I love researching different artists and styles, and exploring Warhammer’s vast history of artwork has been a real joy. It’s fascinating to see how it has evolved over the years.
What provides the inspiration behind your Warhammer work?
There’s so much material in the Warhammer universe that I never run out of inspiration—the challenge is finding enough time to dive into it all. I try to balance my exploration of the lore with tattooing, so I can keep learning, create unique designs, and continue making a living from it.
What are some of your favourite Warhammer pieces you’ve created, and why?
Honestly, I’ve loved working on all of them. My goal is to bring my own interpretation to each character and make them unique. It’s a challenge because I deeply admire the original Games Workshop artists and their work, but that challenge is what drives me. Being able to work on such incredible concepts is a dream.
Have you tried your artistic hand at Warhammer painting?

I definitely want to do more Warhammer painting and work on more miniatures to improve my skills. Since I already put a lot of pressure on myself with tattooing, I prefer to keep miniature painting as a hobby—it’s just pure fun for me.
Any advice for people wanting to try their hand at art, whether it’s tattoos or miniature painting?
Just start! Brick by brick, you can build castles. Life is a journey, so it’s important to enjoy the process. It won’t always be fun, but progress often comes through discomfort.
Remember, your ego can be your worst enemy. It’s okay to admit when you’re not good at something and to work towards getting better. Art is a healthy way to express yourself, so why not give it a try?
Where can people find you to get some Warhammer tattoos?
You can check out my work on Instagram: @Gabriele_cardosi.
Currently, I’m working in London, UK, and also in Rome, Italy. I frequently do guest spots, so feel free to get in touch with me at cardosigabriele@gmail.com if you’re interested in booking a session.
A massive thanks to Gabriele for his time in sharing his thoughts and time with us all! I haven't really come across many tattooists creating Warhammer inspired tattoos, but Gabriele's fit in so very well with his traditional style of tattooing. He's got a very unique style in the way he uses his colours, creating such vibrant and punchy pieces. But I also love how his black and white work allows Warhammer creatures to subtly fit in to a traditional style, so they wouldn't look alien against a dagger or panther face. That's real Warhammer-y talent right there.
His work really is worth checking out, even if you're not into tattoos, just to look at Warhammer art created in a beautifully unique way. You can do so by either checking out his instagram @Gabriele_cardosi or by heading over to his website HERE where you can even pick up some of his incredible prints!
And if you really love his work, get in touch with him to book yourself some Warhammer art on your skin, and give those poor plastic souls a rest for once!
But before you leave, here's a few of my favourite pieces Gabriele has created and graced upon the skin of some lucky people. Remember to reach out to Gabriele for a quote if you would like to join these lucky people!
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