Brando Chiesa

Background & Influences

Florence has produced some of art history's most recognizable names, and Brando Chiesa carries that creative tradition into modern tattooing. Based in the heart of Tuscany, Chiesa draws from both classical Italian art and contemporary pop culture, creating work that feels rooted yet forward-looking. His nearly one million Instagram followers speak to how his style resonates far beyond Italy's borders. What sets Chiesa apart is his ability to merge the exaggerated, expressive language of anime with the bold outlines and saturated color palettes of American newschool tattooing. Rather than copying references directly, he interprets characters and themes through his own visual filter, producing tattoos that feel original even when the subject matter is familiar. His Florence base puts him in a city where Renaissance masters once worked, and that artistic density shows in his attention to composition and color relationships. The result is work that honors tattoo tradition while pushing into territory that feels distinctly his own.

Signature Style & Techniques

Chiesa works across three interconnected styles: newschool, neotraditional, and anime. The newschool approach gives him freedom to exaggerate proportions, warp perspectives, and use colors that push beyond naturalistic palettes. Neotraditional roots keep his work grounded with clean line work and structured compositions, borrowing from classic tattoo flash but updating the execution. His anime specialty is where his work becomes unmistakable. Chiesa renders characters and scenes with the graphic intensity of manga and anime production art, using heavy black outlines, cel-shading techniques, and color saturation that mimics animation cels. The technique requires precise line weight control and an understanding of how colors interact at different scales. His pieces often feature bold border lines that separate color fields, similar to how animation uses outlines to define forms. This approach holds up well over time because the strong lines and saturated colors age predictably, maintaining readability even as the tattoo settles into the skin. Each style reinforces the others, giving his portfolio range without losing cohesion.

Popular Motifs & Subjects

Chiesa's portfolio leans heavily into anime and manga characters, but that umbrella covers a wide range. Dragon Ball, Naruto, and other shōnen series appear frequently, rendered with the intensity fans expect but with Chiesa's compositional spin. He also tackles Studio Ghibli characters, giving them bolder outlines and more saturated color than the films' soft palettes. Beyond direct character work, Chiesa creates original designs that borrow anime's visual vocabulary without referencing specific shows. Samurai, mythological creatures, and warrior figures get the same graphic treatment, blending Japanese iconography with animation aesthetics. His neotraditional pieces include animals, flowers, and classic tattoo subjects reimagined through his color-heavy lens. Portraits of musicians, film characters, and pop culture icons round out the mix. What connects these subjects is the execution. Every piece carries that signature combination of thick outlines, vivid fills, and dynamic posing that makes his work instantly recognizable in a feed full of tattoos.

Placement & Sizing

Chiesa's style works best with room to breathe. The bold outlines and saturated color fields need adequate space to maintain their impact, which is why his strongest pieces tend to land on larger canvases like full sleeves, back pieces, and thigh compositions. Smaller work from his portfolio still holds up, but the detail density and color variation that define his style shine most when he has real estate to work with. Arms and legs remain the most common placements in his portfolio, offering flat surfaces that support clean line work and even color saturation. Chest and back pieces appear regularly too, giving him space for multi-element compositions where characters interact with backgrounds and supporting imagery. For collectors considering Chiesa's work, think about how his saturated palette interacts with your existing tattoos. His bold colors and heavy outlines can either complement or compete with nearby pieces, so placement planning matters more than with subtler styles. Browse tattoo ideas to visualize how different placements affect composition.

Booking & Working with Brando Chiesa

Chiesa operates independently in Florence, and booking happens through his website at brandochiesa.com or via direct message on Instagram. With nearly one million followers, expect some wait time for appointments. Contact the artist directly to confirm pricing, availability, and any deposit requirements. Florence is a major tourist destination with good flight connections across Europe, making it accessible for international collectors willing to travel. If you are planning a tattoo trip, consider coordinating with other artists in the region, as Tuscany has a growing tattoo scene worth exploring. When reaching out, have reference images ready and be clear about size, placement, and subject matter. Chiesa's style is distinct, so trust his compositional instincts when he suggests adjustments. His anime and newschool work requires specific technical approaches that he has refined over thousands of pieces. For more Florence-area artists or to explore similar styles, browse the tattoo artist directory or check tattoo ideas for inspiration before your consultation.