JF Trudel | Japanese & Irezumi Tattoo Artist in Laval, Québec
ABOUT
I am a Japanese and Irezumi tattoo artist based in Laval, just north of Montreal, specializing in large-scale, story-driven Japanese tattoos. The foundation of my work is rooted in the symbolism, myths, and legends of traditional Japanese tattooing, where every element carries meaning and contributes to a larger visual narrative.
My artistic focus is the development of a Neo-Japanese tattoo style, blending traditional Japanese tattoo composition with realistic tattoo techniques, including three-dimensional shading and refined color transitions. This approach allows classic Japanese imagery to feel more dynamic and contemporary, while remaining respectful of the traditions of Irezumi.
In addition to tattoo machine work, I also practice traditional Japanese hand-carved tattooing (Tebori / 手彫り), an ancestral technique that demands precision, patience, and a deep understanding of Japanese tattoo culture.
To continually refine my craft, I have traveled extensively for tattooing and education. I have traveled to Japan three times and throughout the United States, Asia, and Europe, attending international tattoo conventions and advanced seminars taught by some of the most respected tattoo artists in the world. I have also had the privilege of being tattooed by renowned masters such as Shige, Paul Booth, and Jack “Horimouja” Mosher.
In 2012, I opened Zen Tattoo Studio, where I continue to create custom Japanese tattoos for collectors from Laval, Montreal, and across Quebec, using both tattoo machine and traditional Tebori techniques.
TATTOO & DRAWING
APPOINTMENT
I have 1 to 3 months of waiting to for a first tattoo appointment. Since I usually do large pieces, I like to book multiple appointments in advance (while leaving 3 weeks in between to heal). This way we can get more done in a reasonable amount of time; no more waiting months in between appointments.
To make an appointment, I start by meeting you for a consultation. Consultations are done at 11h30 at the shop (Studio Zen Tattoo) in Laval. To make an appointment for a consultation, please call the shop and ask the receptionist for my next availability: 450-933-9398.
If you live far from the shop and can’t make it for a consultation, please fill out the following form.
PRICE/DEPOSIT
I ask for a deposit because it assures me of your commitment and full participation in the tattoo process. It also avoids me to work with people who aren’t serious about it. The price of the deposit varies according to the size of the tattoo: deposit prices range between 200$-1000$. The deposit will be deducted from the price of the tattoo once it’s completely finished. They are also NOT REFUNDABLE since the I take the time to prepare the project.
I charge 250$/h +tx. I start charging the moment I start tattooing, meaning that all the preperation time is not charged. Price estimation are done during the consultation.
I also offer the possibility to do private sessions:
FAQs
It all depends on the level of details, but ruffly a sleeve can take anywhere between 20h-50h to complete.
I tattoo 5 days a week for about 6h-8h each day. Therefore, if you are tuff and can tolerate the pain, everything is possible… But by experience, it’s better to give yourself more time to finish such a project.
Everything depends on your tolerance, but also note that I will listen to you body: I will not force more tattoo time on you if you bleed too much or if you move too much.
I ask for a deposit because it assures me of your commitment and full participation in the tattoo process. It also avoids me to work with people who aren’t serious about it. Deposits are NOT REFUNDABLE since I take the time to prepare the project.
I love doing free-hand designs, because there is no better way to make the tattoo fit your body curves. But I also know that people like to see the idea on paper before seeing it on their body.
Therefore, I usually do a mix of both technics: The primary subjects are all drawn to make the stencils, while the background is usually drawn free-hand on you. This gives me the leverage I need to make a design that fits perfectly on your body.
I also do 100% free-hand tattoos if you are interested.
The drawing will be available the same day as the tattoo appointment. I take extra time during the first appointement to look at the design and to make modifications if needed.
For the first appointement, I take only one client that day, so that we have the time to prepare the session. I will show you the drawing, make the ajustments if necessary, place the stencil and do the free-hand drawing. Because of all the preparations, the first session is usually the longest one. The other session can be shorter.
J'ai des questions sur la mythologie japonaise et le tatouage japonais, est-ce que je peux t'écrire?
Yes of course. I’m truly passioned by these subjects and I will take the time to write back.
Yes, you have to be 18+ to get tattooed by me. At the shop we ask for a valid piece of I.D to everyone who seems to be younger than 25 years old.
I only do Japanese/Asian style tattoos. I can tattoo different subjects that are not Japanese (like Sun Wukon, Barong, etc…) But the final style will have a Japanese twist.
I don’t do realistic tattoos, nor portraits nor letterings.
I can do traditional Japanese tattoos and neotraditional Japanese tattoos. I do not do the Japanese manga style.
I started practicing Tebori in 2017. This technique requires lots of practice and as of today, I’m not completely comfortable doing a whole backpiece with this technique. I do small piece but I still do the lines of the tattoo with a tattoo machine. For more information on Tebori, you can always write to me.
No! Even if I can understand some Japanese, I will not take the risk of mistranslating something for you.
Also, please know that your name won’t necessarily translate well to Japanese. The correct way to translate a name is by using kataganas. If you try using kanjis (because they look cooler) to phonetically translate a name, you can end up with something very stupid written on you… For example, if you take the name Emma, the correct way of write it, is: エマ. It’s possible to write it with kanjis like this too: 叡真 ou 馬宴. One way means “intelligence and truth’ while the other means “a festing horse”… Both is Emma phonetically.
For this reason I do not translate things in Japanese.