Advanced masterclass
Certificate in Black and Grey Realism
Course overview
The Certificate in Black & Grey Realism Tattooing is the most comprehensive realism tattoo course available in Australia, brought to you exclusively by OMNIA Tattoo Academy and led by Luke Dyson — one of Australia’s most experienced realism tattoo artists. This course is designed to take practising tattoo artists into the specialised world of black and grey realism, where contrast, value, composition and depth come together to create the illusion of true photorealistic imagery on skin. You’ll build the artistic foundations of realism before progressing into technical execution — machine tuning, needle selection, greywash management, and the core techniques of outlining, smooth shading, textural shading, and layering for longevity.
You’ll then apply your skills across three full style specialisations — Chicano, Religious, and Fantasy/Horror — and learn how to adapt your technique for different skin types, cover-ups, and long-term healing outcomes. The course finishes with a full live realism tattoo demonstration filmed start-to-finish with Luke Dyson, giving you everything you need to deliver professional-quality realism work and build a client base around the style.
Kit inclusions
Tools & Equipment
- 1 x Wireless Tattoo Machine with Additional Battery
- 1 x Sharps Disposal Container
- 1 x Ink Mixer with Mixing Sticks
- 1 x Mixing Bottle for Green Soap
- 1 x A4 Synthetic Skin Practice Mats
- 1 x Pre-Printed Stencil Pack on Transfer Paper
Needles and cartridges
- Mast Pro Curved Magnum Needle 1207RM
- Mast Pro Curved Magnum Needle 1215RM
- Mast Pro Round Liner Needle 1203RL
- Mast Pro Round Liner Needle 1205RL
- Mast Pro Round Liner Needle 1207RL
- Mast Pro Round Shader Needle 1207RS
- Mast Pro Round Shader
- Needle 1209RS
- Mast Pro Straight Magnum
- Needle 1209M-1
Tattoo products
- Dynamic Triple Black Ink 30ml
- Dynamic White Ink 30ml
- Stencil Transfer Gel 4oz
- Cosco Green Soap 16oz
- Vaseline Petroleum Jelly 50g
- Solidifier 8oz
- Skin Bandage Roll 5cm x 4.5m
- Ink Cups
Disposable items
- Tattoo Machine Bags
- 20 pairs of Nitrile Gloves
- Wooden Dipping Sticks for Petroleum Jelly
Prerequisites
- Completion of one of the following Infection Control Units:
- SHBBINF002 Maintain infection control standards*
- 9 HLTINF005 Infection prevention for skin penetration unit (QLD)*
* Infection Control Unit if not previously obtained will be required, and delivered by Academy of Cosmetic Tattoo Australia RTO: 45265 for an additional cost of $399 incl. GST
- A computer and reliable internet. Need a computer or tablet? We can provide that too.
- You must be at least 18 years old to enrol in this course.
- You’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- If you have any disabilities or medical conditions that you believe could affect your online studies, reach out so we can work together to fully support you in your new venture.
- Completion of one of the following Infection Control Units:
- SHBBINF002 Maintain infection control standards*
- 9 HLTINF005 Infection prevention for skin penetration unit (QLD)*
* Infection Control Unit if not previously obtained will be required, and delivered by Academy of Cosmetic Tattoo Australia RTO: 45265 for an additional cost of $399 incl. GST
- A computer and reliable internet. Need a computer or tablet? We can provide that too.
- You’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- If you have any disabilities or medical conditions that you believe could affect your online studies, reach out so we can work together to fully support you in your new venture.
- You must be at least 18 years old to enrol in this course.
- Completion of one of the following Infection Control Units:
Download your brochure
Want more information? Download our brochure to find out more.
Learning outcomes
- Welcome from Luke Dyson
- Origins & Evolution of Black and Grey Styles
- Understanding Realism: Light, Shadow & Depth
- Contrast, texture and depth
- Using value in black and grey realism
- Composition techniques (Quiz)
- Needles for realism
- Machine tuning for realism
- Black and grey ink theory and setup
- Realism setup and breakdown
Quiz | Submission Point: Feedback Opportunity 1: Skull with roses tattoo
- Outlining and bloodlining
- Whip shading
- Smooth shading
- Textural shading
- Layering for longevity and saturation
- Applying techniques to realism textures (Quiz)
- Sourcing and evaluating reference images
- Chicano style
- Religious style
- Fantasy and horror style
Quiz | Submission Point: Feedback Opportunity 2: Style specialisation
- Understanding skin and adapting your technique
- Healing dynamics and longevity
Quiz | Submission Point: Assessment Task 1: Style Specialisation (1)
Quiz | Submission Point: Assessment Task 2: Style Specialisation (2)
- Consultations and professionalism
- Showcasing your work and building a personal brand
- Studio setup and legal compliance (Quiz)
Luke Dyson (Quiz)
Learn from the best
Our expert team are here to guide you
Every artist at Omnia Tattoo Academy brings their own expertise and creative edge to the craft. Meet our team and explore their specialties below.
Luke Dyson
Luke Dyson is a passionate and dedicated tattoo artist who has been refining his craft for over 14 years. With a deep love for art and a commitment to excellence, Luke has established himself as a master of black and gray realism, constantly pushing the boundaries of his chosen style.
Kat Sawatad
Kat is an ambitious tattoo artist, renowned for her precision in fine lines and her adventurous foray into realism.
Hear from our artists
Testimonials from our graduates
Don’t just take our word for it – hear from the artists who’ve completed our courses.
Course Pricing
We’re passionate about making our courses accessible and affordable, so we offer flexible payment options to get you started sooner.
Course includes
- Expert tutor support six days a week
- 24/7 access
- Post course assistance
- World class content
- Practical assessments
- Industry relevant curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
Find the answers to our most commonly asked questions about our course below.
Is there a cooling off period?
Yes, when you enrol, we provide a 3-day cooling off period where you will have full access to the course. If you decide that the course isn’t right for you during this period, you may cancel without any cost.
What payment options are available?
We offer two options for payment – pay the course in full upfront, or you can opt for an interest-free payment plan, where we split the payments fortnightly or monthly, starting from as little as $40 a week.
What kind of accreditation does the course offer?
When you complete the course you will be provided with a transcript of the units you studied and a certificate of completion.
Are there any age limits?
You must be at least 18 years old to enrol in our courses.
How long will I have access to the course materials?
Once you enrol, you will have 12-month access to the course materials and your tutor support programme
Are there any prerequisites for this course?
- Completion of one of the following Infection Control Units:
- SHBBINF002 Maintain infection control standards*
- 9 HLTINF005 Infection prevention for skin penetration unit (QLD)*
* Infection Control Unit if not previously obtained will be required, and delivered by Academy of Cosmetic Tattoo Australia RTO: 45265 for an additional cost of $399 incl. GST
- A computer and reliable internet. Need a computer or tablet? We can provide that too.
- You must be at least 18 years old to enrol in this course.
- You’re an Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- If you have any disabilities or medical conditions that you believe could affect your online studies, reach out so we can work together to fully support you in your new venture.
When can I access my course?
Our course is available 24/7. There are no restrictions on when you’re able to access the course contents, as we want your training to be as flexible as possible.
Do I have to immediately pay the course price in full?
We offer two options for payment – pay the course in full upfront, or you can opt for a payment plan, where we split the payments fortnightly or monthly. If financial concerns are holding you back from joining, speak to our team and we’d be happy to work out a solution together.
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Learn and Create
Work through the course at your own pace, practice on models, and complete assessments with guidance from our expert tutors
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Complete your course
Graduate with a Certificate of Attainment and step confidently into the industry
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