# Tattooed Theory

> Tattooed Theory is the private tattoo studio of Javier "Javi" Antunez in Mooresville, North Carolina, about 20 minutes north of Charlotte. Javi specializes in large-scale custom color realism, black and gray, portraits, full sleeves, back pieces and cover-ups, with over 18 years of experience. Work is by appointment only, one client at a time, with no walk-ins and no flash.

Javier Antunez is also the author of two instructional books for tattoo artists, published as the Tattooed Theory Field Manuals: "Color Theory for Tattooing" and "Design Theory for Tattooing".

Key facts:
- Artist: Javier Antunez (also known as Javi Antunez)
- Studio: Tattooed Theory, 807 Williamson Rd #201, Mooresville, NC 28117, United States
- Phone: (704) 360-2594
- Email: Javi@javitattooedtheory.com
- Service area: Mooresville, Lake Norman, Charlotte, Huntersville, Cornelius, Davidson, Statesville and the wider North Carolina region; clients also travel in from out of state
- Booking: appointment only, via the online booking form
- Current wait time: approximately 5-7 months
- Day rate: $2,000 for a full-day session of roughly 6-9 hours
- Hourly rate: $250 per hour for pieces of four hours or less
- Deposits: $500 for single-session tattoos, $1,000 for multi-session projects, $300 for small tattoos; all deposits are applied to the final cost
- Specialties: color realism, black and gray realism, photo-realistic portraits, full sleeves, half sleeves, leg sleeves, back pieces, cover-ups, fusion (black and gray with color accents), digital concept art

## Booking and pricing

- [Contact and booking](/contact): Four-step booking form covering placement, style, size and your concept. Every inquiry is read personally by Javi and answered by email or text.
- [Pricing and expectations](/pricing-and-expectations): Day rate, hourly rate, deposits, how projects are quoted, the design process, and what to expect at each session.

## Project types

- [Color sleeves](/color-sleeve): Full-color sleeves, typically around 8 sessions for an arm and 10-14 for a leg.
- [Black and gray sleeves](/black-gray-sleeve): Black and gray sleeves, typically 4-6 sessions for an arm and 8-11 for a leg.
- [Portraits](/portraits): Photo-realistic portrait tattoos, usually completed in one 5-9 hour session.
- [Small tattoos](/small-tattoos): Pieces of four hours or less, billed hourly at $250 with a $300 deposit.
- [Fusion tattoos](/fusion-tattoo): Black and gray foundations with deliberate pops of color, quoted case by case.
- [Two days back to back](/2-days-back-to-back): Two consecutive full days, built for clients travelling in from out of state.

## Portfolio

- [Color tattoos](/color-tattoos): Gallery of color realism work.
- [Black and gray tattoos](/black-and-gray-tattoos): Gallery of black and gray realism work.
- [Cover-ups](/cover-ups): Before and after cover-up work.
- [Digital artwork](/digital-artwork): Digital concept art and design studies.

## Aftercare and resources

- [Aftercare](/aftercare): Full healing instructions for a new tattoo, including washing, moisturising, peeling, sun exposure and when to contact the artist.
- [The Field Manuals](/books): Two instructional books by Javier Antunez on color theory and design theory for tattooing.
- [Convention dates](/convention-dates): Upcoming conventions and guest spots, and how to request a city.

## Elsewhere

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/javi_tattooedtheory/
- TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@javi.tattooedtheory
- Color Theory for Tattooing (book): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H4D27XCX
- Design Theory for Tattooing (book): https://www.amazon.com/Design-Theory-Tattooing-Tattooed-Manual/dp/B0H9XC1MR6