David is a tattoo artist based at The Candle Orchard in Bexhill-on-Sea, working under the name softblackscars. Their practice centres on blackwork and black and grey tattooing, informed by a broader creative life that spans drawing, lettering, sigil creation, and experimental visual work.
Alongside tattooing, David creates their own digital brush sets and dabbles in animation, using movement and mark-making as tools to explore form, rhythm, and repetition. Sigil-making plays an important role in their work, allowing symbolism, intention, and abstraction to sit at the core of many designs.
Their visual language often draws from horror and occult imagery, balanced with organic shapes and illustrative detail. Music is a constant influence throughout David’s process, shaping both the atmosphere of their work and the way designs evolve from sketch to skin.
David’s approach is collaborative and considered. They take time to understand each client’s ideas and work closely with them to create tattoos that feel personal, meaningful, and well balanced on the body. Appointments are calm, communicative, and grounded in care.
Whether working on custom black and grey pieces, sigil-based designs, or illustrative blackwork, David’s aim is to create tattoos that feel intentional, expressive, and built to last.