Special Guest Judges
Every year, the Classic Tattoo Show has been incredibly blessed to welcome Special Guest Judges from around the world — artists who not only excel in their craft, but who are willing to travel, share their expertise, and contribute their knowledge to our stage.
Judging tattoo competitions is its own art form. It requires experience, technical understanding, fairness, and the ability to evaluate work across multiple styles and skill levels with integrity. We are proud to bring in respected professionals who understand the responsibility that comes with judging and who approach it with both precision and passion.
The Classic Tattoo Show isn’t just about showcasing great tattoos — it’s about honoring the craft at the highest level. We are truly grateful each year for the artists who are willing to stand beside us and help uphold that standard.
From Brazil: Emerson W. Martins Silva
The Classic Tattoo Show is beyond excited to officially announce our Special Guest Judge, traveling all the way from Brazil — Emerson W. Martins Silva.
With over a decade of professional experience and more than 10 years dedicated to mastering his craft, Emerson has built an international reputation rooted in precision, discipline, and artistic vision. Specializing in Black & Grey Realism, his work reflects a deep understanding of contrast, composition, texture, and emotion — bringing powerful stories to life through skin.
Self-taught and relentlessly driven, Emerson has sharpened his technique through workshops, global conventions, and mentorships with some of the industry’s finest. His journey reflects commitment to evolution, constant refinement, and a pursuit of excellence that aligns perfectly with the standards we hold at the Classic Tattoo Show.
What makes Emerson an exceptional judge is not only his technical expertise, but his ability to view tattooing through both an analytical and artistic lens. He understands structure, saturation, flow, and longevity — but also respects storytelling, originality, and emotional impact. His experience allows him to fairly and intelligently evaluate a wide range of categories, ensuring each piece is judged with integrity, knowledge, and intention.
We are honored to bring this level of international talent and perspective to our stage. Please join us in welcoming Emerson W. Martins Silva — a true craftsman, visionary artist, and now, a valued judge at the Classic Tattoo Show.
Also from Brazil: Arthur Henrique
The Classic Tattoo Show is proud to welcome Arthur Henrique as a Guest Judge.
Originally from Brazil and now based in Florida, Arthur brings over eight years of experience specializing in black and grey realism. Internationally recognized for the exceptional quality and refinement of his work, he has built his career on relentless dedication to artistic growth and technical precision.
Arthur’s style is defined by smooth gradients, controlled detail, and compositions that honor body anatomy and the natural flow of the skin. His ability to translate personal stories and complex ideas into striking, custom realism pieces has earned him respect within the global tattoo community.
He has participated in major international conventions, including TattooWeek Brasil—one of the largest tattoo events in Latin America—helping establish his name within the realism scene. In addition to his convention presence, Arthur has expanded his influence within the industry by serving as a judge at tattoo events, bringing a trained eye for technical execution, composition, saturation, and overall finish.
With his deep understanding of black and grey realism and commitment to excellence, Arthur Henrique will be an incredible addition to the judging panel at The Classic Tattoo Show.
From Europe: Brenner Pereira
Guest Judge: Brenner Pereira
The Classic Tattoo Show is thrilled to officially announce our Special Guest Judge, joining us from Europe — Brenner Pereira.With seven years of high-impact professional experience and a vast wealth of technical knowledge, Brenner has rapidly built an international reputation rooted in precision and artistic depth.
Having grown up in Portugal and refined his craft while tattooing in Luxembourg, he brings a sophisticated European perspective to the stage, reflecting a career dedicated to the constant pursuit of excellence.
Brenner’s journey is marked by a relentless drive to master the intricacies of Black & Grey Realism. His work is characterized by a sharp understanding of composition, contrast, and fine-shading technique, honed through years of practice in some of Europe's most demanding artistic environments. His commitment to the evolution of the craft aligns perfectly with the high standards we celebrate at the Classic Tattoo Show.
What makes Brenner an exceptional judge is his ability to analyze tattooing through both a technical and structural lens. He possesses a deep understanding of saturation, flow, and the longevity of a piece—essential elements that define a master tattooer. His international background allows him to fairly and intelligently evaluate a wide range of categories, ensuring each artist is judged with integrity and expert insight.
We are honored to bring this level of international talent and perspective to our stage. Please join us in welcoming Brenner Pereira — a visionary craftsman and now a valued judge at the Classic Tattoo Show
From Russia to Miami: Aleki Blue
The Classic Tattoo Show is ecstatic to officially announce our Special Guest Judge, making his way to our stage from Russia by way of Miami — Aleki Blue.
With a rich background as a classically trained fine artist, Aleki brings a rare and sophisticated depth to the world of tattooing. His transition from traditional canvas to skin has allowed him to build an international reputation rooted in masterful composition, fluid anatomy, and stunning visual storytelling.
Whether executing flawless technical precision or breathing life into custom concepts, his work seamlessly bridges the gap between fine art and elite tattooing.
Relentlessly driven by artistic evolution, Aleki has spent years sharpening his craft across global borders, blending European artistic discipline with the vibrant, cutting-edge energy of the Miami tattoo scene. His journey reflects a lifelong commitment to creative excellence and a profound respect for the medium, aligning perfectly with the high standards we hold at the Classic Tattoo Show.
What makes Aleki an exceptional judge is his ability to view tattooing through a dual lens as both an elite technical craftsman and a formal fine artist. He possesses an innate understanding of structure, values, lighting, and longevity, while deeply respecting the originality and emotional weight of a piece. His diverse expertise allows him to fairly and intelligently evaluate a wide range of styles, ensuring every artist’s work is judged with absolute integrity, insight, and passion.
We are honored to bring this caliber of international talent and artistic vision to our panel. Please join us in welcoming Aleki Blue — a true master of the arts, visionary tattooer, and now, a valued judge at the Classic Tattoo Show.