New branding. Same artist. Same trusted reputation.
Bespoke tattooing designed around your story.
Original. Considered. Timeless.
I’m James Robinson, a Brighton tattoo artist with a degree in illustration. I design every tattoo from scratch, drawing on flowers, birds, animals and the stories you bring with you.
Or browse drawings & artwork, prints and scarves or available flash.
Portfolio
James’s tattoos & artwork
Colour, black and grey and line-work tattoos, plus original drawings and designs. Filter by style, then swipe or use the arrows.
Peacock
Swallow, black & grey
Fox
Blue tit
Tiger back piece
Dog portrait with flowersMountains and roses
Cat with butterflies
Snake and flowersSkull
Bird and blooms
Portrait with flowers
DragonOwls
Bird and blossom
Swallow
Fine-line forearm
Line-work serpent
Swallows and an eye, colour design
Bird among thistles, colour design
Panther crest, colour design
Diver and octopus, colour design
Anatomical heart, colour design
Mermaid, colour design
Whispers & Wings swallows illustration
Google reviews
Rated 5.0 by 494 clients on Google
Tattoo styles
A style for every story
From delicate line work to richly detailed colour, every tattoo is custom designed and drawn for you.
About James
Artist. Illustrator. Tattooist.
I trained in fine art and completed a BA in Illustration: perspective, lighting and colour theory all go into every design. I opened Gilded Cage on St James Street in 2014, and the name is now evolving into Gilded Cage Tattoo Artist: the same work, centred on my own tattoos and illustration.
I love flowers, animals, skeletons and birds, and I combine them into detailed compositions made for you alone. My palette is natural and soft:
Mustard yellow Muted green Dusty pink Cream Pastel blue
- Artist
- James Robinson, BA Illustration
- Based in
- 106 St James Street, Brighton
- Tattooing in Brighton since
- 2014, as founder of Gilded Cage
- Styles
- Illustrative, colour, black & grey, line work, bird & botanical, cover-ups
- Prices
- From £100, with free consultations
- Inks
- Vegan-friendly Eternal inks
The tattoo process
From idea to a lasting piece
Consultations are free, and you can have as many as you need before your appointment.
- 1
Consultation & concept
We talk through your idea, references and placement, by email, phone or in person.
- 2
Design & collaboration
I draw a bespoke design. You give feedback and approve the final artwork before anything is tattooed.
- 3
Tattoo day
We double-check design and placement, then I guide you through the session using premium vegan inks.
- 4
Aftercare & healing
You get written aftercare, product advice and ongoing help while it heals.
Pricing guide
Honest pricing for bespoke work
Every tattoo is unique, so the final price depends on size, detail and placement. You’ll get a time and cost estimate at your consultation.
Smaller tattoos and simpler designs that need less time.
Medium-sized pieces with more detail and complexity.
Large-scale work with intricate detail, depth and more time.
Shop
Wear and keep James’s art
Prints, scarves and jewellery from the same swallows illustration, sold through James’s jewellery studio, The Illustrated Jeweller.
Wearable art
Whispers & Wings scarf
£95
Large sheer Paris chiffon wrap, 133 × 105 cm, printed with James’s swallows illustration.
Art print · A5
Whispers & Wings, Petite edition
£50
A5 print of the swallows illustration behind this website.
Art print · A4
Whispers & Wings, Studio edition
£70
A4 print of the swallows illustration.
Art print · A3
Whispers & Wings, Collectors edition
£110
A3 print of the swallows illustration, the largest size.
Gift set
Swallow charm & print gift set
£180
A swallow charm with a Whispers & Wings print, presented as a luxe gift set.
The Illustrated Jeweller
Swallow jewellery
Studs from £230
Swallow earrings, pendants and rings in gold and diamonds, designed by James.
Secure checkout through The Illustrated Jeweller. Ships to the UK and selected international countries. We don’t ship to the EU.
Flowers, birds and stories inspire everything I do.
Let’s talk about yours
Let’s create something meaningful together.
Book a free consultation to talk through your idea, ask questions and get a time and cost estimate.
- Email best way to reach James[email protected]
- Phone01273 933420Please note: appointments only. If James is tattooing he may not be able to answer, so email is the best way to reach him.
- Where106 St James Street, Brighton BN2 1TPGet directions on Google Maps
- Hours, by appointment onlyConsultations Mon–Sat 11:00–12:00
Tattoos Mon–Sat 12:00–18:00
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers
Anything else? Email [email protected] or see all the aftercare guide or the full FAQs.
How much does a consultation cost?
Nothing. Consultations are free, and you can have as many as you need before your tattoo date.
Do you need a deposit?
Not for a consultation. To secure your tattoo appointment you pay a deposit, usually the cost of the first hour, which comes off the final price.
How old do you have to be?
At least 18, and you may be asked for photo ID. Parental consent doesn’t change this.
What’s the cancellation policy?
Deposits are non-refundable. Give 7 days’ notice, preferably by email, to move an appointment. Last-minute changes or no-shows lose the deposit.
Do you use vegan inks?
Yes. I use Eternal inks, which are vegan-friendly and among the best for range and quality.
How long is the waiting list?
Smaller pieces can usually be booked soon. Larger projects take longer, so get in touch and I’ll give you dates.
Also at Gilded Cage
Other artists
Adam works alongside James. Get in touch soon if you’d like to book with him.
Tattoo artist
Adam Allori
Adam’s work borrows from the graphic novels, music posters and animations he grew up on. He loves storytelling, mythology, nature, history and anything unapologetically nerdy, and works with you to make a tattoo that feels true to your own passions.
Design diaries
Sketches, new designs and recent work
A look behind the scenes at drawings, ideas and the stories behind the tattoos.
Read the design diariesTHE GILDED CAGE LIST
Get 20% off your next tattoo
Plus first pick of new flash, early diary dates and a free swallows phone wallpaper.
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