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Dan McWilliams is a proficient tattoo artist based in Los Angeles, specializing in newschool and black&gray styles. His exceptional work has granted him an impressive following of over 100,000 on Instagram. Alongside his stunning artistry, Dan's dedication to cleanliness and professionalism is mirrored in his partnership with industry-leading brands like Radiant Colors Ink and Atlas Cartridges. For bookings, reach out to him directly through tattoosbydan@outlook.com.
Dan McWilliams is a tattoo artist based in Los Angeles, California, specializing in newschool and black & gray tattooing. With over 105,000 followers across social platforms, McWilliams has built a visible presence showcasing bold, vibrant newschool designs alongside detailed black & gray work. His practice blends the exaggerated proportions and vivid color palette of newschool with the smooth shading and depth of black & gray technique. He operates as an independent artist in the LA area. You can view his portfolio on Instagram at @danmcwilliamsart and on TikTok. For booking inquiries, pricing, and availability, contact the artist directly through his social channels.
Newschool tattooing emerged in the 1990s as a rebellion against traditional American tattoo conventions. It takes the bold outlines of old school work and stretches them into exaggerated, cartoonish proportions with hyper-saturated colors that pop off the skin. Think graffiti energy meets comic book distortion. Characters get oversized heads. Eyes get wider. Colors push past what looks natural, and that is the entire point. Dan McWilliams works in this tradition from his base in Los Angeles, a city where newschool has a dedicated following thanks to its street art and mural culture. The style demands confidence. Every line has to commit. Every color choice has to land deliberately, because there is nowhere to hide when the palette is this loud. Artists who do newschool well understand balance. The exaggeration works because the fundamentals, line weight, saturation, contrast, are solid underneath. McWilliams brings that discipline to the style, which is why his following has grown past 105,000 across platforms.
Running alongside his newschool work, Dan McWilliams also handles black & gray tattooing. This is where the palette strips down to black ink diluted into washes of gray, building depth through shading rather than color. Black & gray originated in the prison tattoo tradition of the 1970s and moved into Chicano street culture in Southern California, which makes Los Angeles a fitting home base for an artist working in this style. The technique relies on smooth gradients. A skilled black & gray artist can make skin look like it was carved from stone or draped in shadow. Portraits, religious iconography, lettering, and photorealistic imagery all fall under this umbrella. What makes McWilliams interesting is the contrast between his two specialties. Newschool is loud and playful. Black & gray is restrained and atmospheric. Not many artists commit to both with equal visibility. That range means he can take on a wider variety of projects without the work looking forced outside his comfort zone.
In newschool tattooing, the subject matter leans toward characters and objects that benefit from exaggeration. Cartoon characters, animals with distorted features, food items with personality, and pop culture references all show up frequently. The style thrives on humor and visual impact. A newschool piece is meant to grab attention from across the room. For black & gray work, the motifs shift toward subjects that benefit from depth and realism. Portraits, skulls, roses, religious figures, and architectural elements are common. The shading creates a sense of volume that makes these subjects feel three-dimensional on flat skin. McWilliams works across both territories. His Instagram feed shows the split clearly. You will find bright, exaggerated newschool pieces sitting alongside detailed grayscale work that relies on subtlety rather than saturation. This is worth noting if you are considering him for a project. Look at his recent output to see which direction he is currently emphasizing, because artists often cycle through phases where one style dominates their schedule.
Newschool tattoos need space. The bold outlines and packed color fields that define the style lose their impact when compressed into a tiny area. A newschool piece on your forearm or calf will read better than one crammed onto a finger or behind the ear. Plan for at least a medium-sized placement if you want the style to work as intended. Black & gray offers more flexibility on sizing. A small black & gray rose on a wrist can still hold up because shading creates detail without requiring the same minimum footprint as bold color packing. That said, larger black & gray pieces give the artist more room to build smooth gradients and realistic depth. If you are thinking about a sleeve or a back piece, both styles scale well. McWilliams works in Los Angeles, where year-round tattoo visibility means placement choices often reflect personal style as much as pain tolerance. Check the tattoo pain chart if you are unsure about how different body areas feel during a session.
Dan McWilliams operates as an independent artist in Los Angeles. He does not list a studio affiliation on his public profiles, so you will need to contact him directly to confirm where he currently tattoos. The best way to reach him is through Instagram at @danmcwilliamsart or through his TikTok account. When you message an artist for booking, include your tattoo concept, preferred placement, approximate size, and any reference images that show the direction you want. Vague messages get lost in crowded inboxes. Be specific about whether you want newschool, black & gray, or a blend of both. His follower count sits above 105,000, which means his books may fill quickly. If you are planning a larger piece like a sleeve, expect a consultation before the first session. For pricing, minimums, and deposit requirements, you will need to ask him directly. Rates vary by artist and are not published on his social pages. Browse other tattoo artists in Los Angeles on Inksy if you want to compare styles and availability before committing.
Last updated August 27, 2026
Dan McWilliams specializes in two distinct styles: newschool and black & gray. Newschool tattooing features bold outlines, exaggerated proportions, and vivid color palettes drawn from cartoon and graffiti influences. Black & gray relies on smooth shading gradients and contrast without color. McWilliams works across both, which gives him range from playful, vibrant pieces to moody, detailed grayscale work.
Dan McWilliams is based in Los Angeles, California. He operates as an independent artist. Contact him directly through his Instagram (@danmcwilliamsart) or TikTok to confirm his current studio location and booking availability.
Dan McWilliams does not list a dedicated booking website. The best way to reach him is through his Instagram (@danmcwilliamsart) or his TikTok account. Send a direct message with your tattoo idea, placement, and size. He will respond with next steps for consultation and scheduling. Be ready with reference images and a clear description of what you want.
Dan McWilliams does not publish his hourly rate or minimum pricing online. Tattoo pricing in Los Angeles generally ranges from $150 to $300+ per hour depending on the artist's experience and demand. Contact Dan directly through Instagram or TikTok to discuss pricing for your specific project.
Dan McWilliams works in newschool and black & gray, both of which can work well for first tattoos depending on your preference. Newschool pieces tend to be bold and colorful, which holds up well over time. Black & gray offers a more subdued option with strong contrast. Reach out to him with your concept to see if it aligns with his current work and availability.
