A-Dem: Black & Grey Realism and Portrait Tattoos from Hamburg
At a Glance
Who: A-Dem, real name Alexander Demtschenko (also spelled "Adem"), tattoo artist since 2013.
What: Photorealism in Black & Grey, primarily portraits, as well as large projects such as backpieces and sleeves.
Where: Owner of the Tattoo Highlights studio in Hamburg-Borgfelde (since 2023).
Awards: Including 1st place "Best Backpiece" and 2nd place "Best Black & Grey Portrait" at the Empire State Tattoo Expo in New York (2024).
Appointments: Twice a year – on December 1 for January to June, and on June 1 for July to December: https://tattoo-highlights.com/de/kuenstler/a-dem
Onyx: Member of the Onyx Pro Team.
From Kazakhstan via Flensburg to Hamburg
A-Dem was born in Kazakhstan and moved to Flensburg with his family in 2000. He grew up in a family of amateur artists and started drawing at an early age – mainly copying reference images accurately. When tribal tattoos became popular among his friends, he designed his first motifs. During his master's studies in Intermedia & Marketing, he made his final decision to pursue tattooing; he has been tattooing professionally since 2013. In 2018, he moved to Hamburg.
Specializing in Photorealism in Black & Grey
A-Dem's focus is realistic tattooing in black and grey tones (Black & Grey, Greywash): portraits based on photographs, animals, and motifs featuring light and shadow. For large-scale work, he plans multi-day sessions so that clients – around two-thirds of whom travel from all over Germany – do not have to make a separate trip for every appointment. He regularly shows healed results because the quality of realism only becomes evident after healing.
Tattoo Highlights in Hamburg
In 2023, A-Dem opened his studio Tattoo Highlights in Hamburg-Borgfelde, just a few minutes' walk from Berliner Tor. Today, seven resident tattoo artists work there – covering styles from Black & Grey Realism to Fineline and Micro Realism to Chicano/Character – along with regular guest artists from Germany and abroad.
Awards (Selection)
1st Place Best of Realism – Ink & Oil, Denmark (2026)
1st Place Best Backpiece – Empire State Tattoo Expo, New York (2024)
2nd Place Best Black & Grey Portrait – Empire State Tattoo Expo, New York (2024)
1st Place Best of Realistic – Tattoo Titans, Hamburg (2024)
1st Place Best of Realism – Ink Factory Line, France (2024)
3rd Place Best Large Black & Grey Healed – All Stars Tattoo Convention, Miami (2024)
3rd Place Best Sleeve and Best of Realistic – Stockholm Ink Bash (2025)
3rd Place Best of Realistic – Tattoo Convention Berlin (2025)
Further placements at World of Ink (Poland), in Dortmund and Flensburg, as well as a jury award in Gdańsk.
Why Onyx
A-Dem first discovered Onyx at a tattoo convention. He uses Second Skin Film and Tattoo Butter:
Second Skin Film: "The best adhesion to the skin I have ever experienced. That makes a decisive difference to the healing process."
Tattoo Butter: "Perfect consistency that stays on the skin and gives my clients a comfortable feeling without becoming watery."
Together with Onyx, he also created an aftercare product line under the Tattoo Highlights name for his clients' aftercare.
Beyond the Needle
A-Dem is a basketball fan and listens to a lot of rap music – both frequently appear in his motifs, from portraits of players to musicians.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where does A-Dem tattoo?
At his own studio, Tattoo Highlights, Borgfelder Straße 64, 20537 Hamburg.
How can I get an appointment with A-Dem?
He offers appointments twice a year: on December 1 (for January to June) and on June 1 (for July to December). Anyone who would like to receive a reminder can sign up at https://tattoo-highlights.com/de/kuenstler/a-dem.
What motifs does A-Dem tattoo?
Photorealistic Black & Grey tattoos, primarily portraits based on photographs, as well as large-scale realism projects.
Where can I see his latest work?
On Instagram at @a_dem_tattooartist, on TikTok at @a_dem_tattooartist, and the studio at @tattoo.highlights.
