Impasto: Flowing Ink and Form in Perfect Sync

Korean tattoo artist Impasto blends liquid marbling with dark, flowing designs that follow the body’s lines like a custom-tailored suit.

Suwoong Park, known professionally as Impasto, is the founder of THEO INK, a tattoo studio based in Seoul, South Korea. With a decade of experience behind the needle, Impasto has developed a distinctive style he calls “flow”—a visual language inspired by liquid marbling patterns and grounded in a dark, atmospheric aesthetic. His tattoos are more than art pieces; they’re body-conscious compositions designed to move naturally with muscle lines and curves, like garments tailored directly to the skin.

Driven by a relentless commitment to perfection and artistic integrity, Impasto continues to refine his technique and philosophy with every project. In this interview, he shares insights into the roots of his style, the emotional undertones in his work, and the mindset required to stay creatively sharp after 10 years in the tattoo world.

You've been tattooing for 10 years now. Looking back, how has your style and approach evolved over the decade?

In the first few years, I worked in many different tattoo styles depending on what clients wanted, mainly to build experience. After I had gained enough practice and improved my skills, I began searching for a style that I truly wanted to pursue and that I could genuinely enjoy.

Your signature “flow” style uses liquid marbling and has a moody, dark aesthetic. What inspired you to develop this direction?

I drew inspiration from the movement of liquids and the traditional Japanese suminagashi patterns. Rather than simply imitating them, I focused on developing my own voice, and over time this effort evolved into the style I practice today.

You compare your tattoos to a custom-tailored suit. How do you assess each client’s body to create such harmonious designs?

The human body is fundamentally composed of curves. I carefully analyze the shape and direction of each client’s muscles and then sketch freehand directly onto their body. This way, the tattoo design flows in harmony with their natural form.

What role does emotion or mood play in your work, especially given the darker atmosphere of your pieces?

Emotion and mood are essential in my work. The darker atmosphere guides the flow and shapes of my tattoos, giving each piece depth and life.

Do you usually design the tattoo fully beforehand, or is part of it improvised during application to fit the body’s shape?

When matching other elements with the flow style, I prepare the design in advance. However, if I am working solely in the flow style, I usually create it freehand on the spot, improvising as I go.

What does a typical creative process look like for you—from initial consultation to the finished tattoo?

For tattoos that are not large cover-ups, I typically discuss ideas and messages with the client during the consultation. Once the client tells me the desired area, size, and style, I visualize it in my mind and most of the work is executed freehand, improvised directly on the body.

You run your own studio, THEO INK. How does managing your own space affect your artistic freedom or workflow?

All the members of my studio have worked with me for a long time, so they manage the studio independently without needing direct instructions from me. This allows me to fully focus on my work, and sometimes, discussing tattoo styles with them sparks new inspiration.

After a decade in tattooing, what keeps you creatively energized and pushing your style forward?

Well, I’m quite competitive by nature. I always strive to be the best, and through that effort, my creativity and uniqueness in design seem to grow alongside me, continually pushing me forward.

How do clients typically respond to the abstract and flowing nature of your tattoos? Do they guide the design or give you full freedom?

Regarding design, clients usually leave everything entirely up to me. They trust me, and in turn, I work hard to honor that trust with my best effort.

What are your goals or aspirations moving forward—for your art, your studio, or your presence in the global tattoo scene?

I don’t expect to work exclusively in the flow style for my entire career. At some point, I may be inspired to explore other approaches. Regardless of style, my priority is always to create the highest-quality tattoos for my clients, focusing on designs that I personally find striking. If I expand my work to the United States, I look forward to serving clients of diverse nationalities while ensuring that my tattoos remain instantly recognizable as Impasto’s.