Xam

Background & Style Roots

Xam works out of Valencia, Spain, and has built a reputation firmly planted in traditional and neotraditional tattooing. The traditional style, often called American traditional or old school, traces back to sailors and military personnel in the early 20th century. It runs on bold black outlines, a restricted color palette, and designs built to age well in the skin. Xam carries that lineage forward without treating it like a museum piece. His Instagram feed shows a clear command of the fundamentals: thick lines that hold, solid fills that stay saturated, and compositions that read from across the room. The neotraditional side of his work opens things up. More color range, more detail, more illustrative depth. But the bones stay the same. The work is readable. It holds up. That discipline is what separates someone who understands traditional tattooing from someone who just copies flash. Xam clearly understands it.

Defining Characteristics of Xam's Work

Traditional tattooing lives or dies on three things: line weight, color saturation, and negative space. Xam's work hits all three. His linework carries the kind of consistency that only comes from repetition and intention. Thick, even outlines define every shape. Nothing wobbles. Nothing fades into the background. Color fills sit solid and opaque, whether it is red, yellow, green, or black. No patchy healing, no muddy overlaps. That matters because traditional tattoos need to look as good in ten years as they do on day one. The neotraditional pieces push further. You see more gradients, more dimension, more illustrative rendering on subjects like portraits or animals. But even when the technique gets more complex, the design logic stays simple. Every element has room to breathe. The negative space does its job. Xam does not overcrowd a composition to prove he can draw. He lets the style do the talking. That restraint is a skill, and it shows across his portfolio.

Popular Motifs & Subjects

Xam's portfolio leans into the classic visual vocabulary of traditional tattooing. Animals appear often. Eagles, snakes, big cats, and sea creatures all show up with the stylized proportions and bold shading the style demands. Figurative work is another strong thread. Portraits, pinups, and character-driven pieces get the neotraditional treatment, with more depth and dimension than strict traditional work allows. Floral elements show up as supporting pieces and standalone designs. Roses, chrysanthemums, and other bold flowers fill gaps and frame larger compositions. Skulls and mortality imagery sit comfortably in his wheelhouse, rendered with the directness traditional tattooing requires. Dagger and weapon motifs pop up as well, often paired with snakes or flowers in classic flash compositions. What ties it all together is the execution. Every subject, whether it is a snarling tiger or a quiet portrait, gets handled with the same structural discipline. The motifs are familiar, but the craftsmanship makes them work.

Placement & Sizing Considerations

Traditional and neotraditional tattoos work best on areas with enough flat or gently curved skin to hold bold shapes. Arms, legs, chest, and back are the natural habitat for this style. Xam's portfolio reflects that. You see plenty of forearm pieces, thigh work, and chest panels where the designs have room to spread out and breathe. Sizing matters more here than in many other styles. Go too small and the bold lines merge as the tattoo ages. A traditional piece that looks crisp at two inches might turn into a blob at one inch. Xam's work respects that reality. His pieces tend to sit at sizes where the linework and color have space to stay distinct over time. Neotraditional work can handle slightly more detail at smaller sizes because of the broader color range and finer rendering techniques. But the same rule applies. Give it room. If you are considering a piece from Xam, think about the long game. Pick a spot with real estate. Let the design breathe. The tattoo will thank you in a decade.

Booking & Working with Xam

Xam does not list a studio affiliation, shop address, or booking platform publicly. The best way to reach him is through his Instagram at @xamthespaniard or his website lefthandtricks.com. Artists with this level of following typically book out weeks or months in advance, so plan accordingly. When you reach out, be specific about what you want. Style, size, placement, and reference images all help the conversation move faster. Vague requests like "something cool on my arm" slow everything down. If you are new to traditional tattooing, browse some reference material first. Look at classic flash sheets. Understand what bold linework and limited color actually look like on skin. That context helps you communicate clearly and helps Xam deliver something you will be happy with. Pricing, deposits, and session length are all handled directly with the artist. Nothing is publicly listed, so ask those questions upfront when you make contact. Preparation on your end makes the whole process smoother for everyone involved.