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David Castañeda

David Castañeda.

Styles & Signature
RealismPortraitLarge-scaleBlack & Grey
About David

Hyperreal portraits and large-scale compositions. Fourteen years of needle, three continents of guest spots, one obsession with light.

David founded Aristocratic Ink in 2024 after seven years working in private studios across Mexico City, Madrid and Brooklyn. His work moves between photo-real portraiture and large-scale narrative compositions — pieces that read like film stills when you walk past.

01 Selected Work

David's portfolio. Recent and archive.

A rotating selection of healed photographs. Drop real images into each tile to replace the placeholders.

Featured
[ Photograph of completed half-sleeve portrait ]
Marlene, Half SleeveBlack & Grey · 18 hrs · 2025
[ Photo of astronaut tattoo, forearm ]
Astronaut, ForearmRealism · 9 hrs · 2024
[ Photo of dual portrait, chest ]
Father & SonPortrait · 14 hrs · 2024
[ Close-up of wolf eye ]
Wolf EyeRealism · 5 hrs · 2025
[ Photo of marble statue tattoo ]
Statue, ShoulderBlack & Grey · 7 hrs · 2024
Archive
[ Photo of back piece, river scene ]
River Scene, BackNarrative · 24 hrs · 2023
[ Photo of rose tattoo on hand ]
Rose HandBlack & Grey · 4 hrs · 2025
[ Photo of lion eye, forearm ]
Lion EyeRealism · 6 hrs · 2024
[ Photo of smoke study, ribs ]
Smoke StudyBlack & Grey · 5 hrs · 2025
— Reserve your session

Book David. Bring the idea — we'll handle the drawing.

Every booking with David starts with a free 45-minute consultation. No deposit until you've met. Average lead time is 10 wks; reserve early for weekend dates.

Inquiry · David

Tell us about your piece.

Thank you. Your inquiry is on its way to David. We'll write back within one business day.