Who I Am
Let’s Get Acquainted! My name is Dmytro Shcherbakov, also known as Asphalt Tattoo (asphalt_ttt).
I’m a Ukrainian-born tattoo artist with over 9 years of professional experience, currently based in Europe.
I specialize in bold, stylized tattoos with a strong focus on body-adapted composition. My approach blends graphic structure with raw emotional energy, creating designs that feel natural on the body and age well over time.
I’ve worked internationally across Ukraine, Poland, Latvia, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and for the last two years I lived and worked in the United States.
My primary styles include graphic and neo-tribal tattooing, with additional work inspired by Japanese aesthetics and anime.
Beyond tattooing, I’m the author of “Skin Not Paper: The Modern Tattoo Guide,” a professional guide for tattoo artists. I’ve received multiple awards at tattoo conventions, served as a convention judge, and regularly teach and share educational content within the industry.
I genuinely love what I do and continue to grow, learn, and refine my craft with every project
“Design first. Skin always”
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“Design first. Skin always” //
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World Tattoo Events - interview
Skin Artists Magazine - interview
TATTOO.UA - interview
CanvasRebel - interview
Bold Journey - interview
Tattoo Genda - interview
Tattoos Wizard - interview
The Industry Times - editorial feature
Global Tattoo Magazine - featured artist (issue 85 - printed version); Interview, Cover (issue 86 - printed version)
Tattooer Blog - interview
Shoutout LA - interview
VoyageLA - interview
Bold Journey - interview
DGN Tattoo Magazine - featured artist (printed version)
Top Tattoo Artist of the World - volume 19 (book) - featured artist (printed version)
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- 1st Place – Illustrative - Global Tattoo Magazine Awards 2026
- 1st Place – Cover-Up - 2024 Villain Arts Rosemont Tattoo Arts Festival (Chicago, USA)
- 3rd Place – Japanese - 2024 Villain Arts Rosemont Tattoo Arts Festival (Chicago, USA)
- 3rd Place – Geometric/Tribal - 2024 Villain Arts Rosemont Tattoo Arts Festival (Chicago, USA)
- 2nd Place – Fresh Small Color at Tattoo Fest Madison 2025 (Madison, USA)
- 2nd Place – Fresh Medium Black and Grey at Tattoo Fest Madison 2025 (Madison, USA)
- 2nd Place – Healed Large Black and Grey at Tattoo Fest Madison 2025 (Madison, USA)
- 2nd Place – Original Flash at the Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Milwaukee, USA)
- 2nd Place – Best Portrait Color at the Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Milwaukee, USA)
- 2nd Place – Most Unusual at the Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Milwaukee, USA)
- 2nd Place – Geometric/Tribal at the Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Milwaukee, USA)
- 2nd Place – Japanese at the Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Milwaukee, USA)
- 2nd Place – Anime at the Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Milwaukee, USA)
- 2nd Place – Male: Medium Black and Gray at the Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Milwaukee, USA)
- 3rd Place – Original Flash at the Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Milwaukee, USA)
- 3rd Place – Most Unusual at the Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Milwaukee, USA)
- 3rd Place – Male: Medium Color at the Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Milwaukee, USA)
- 3rd Place – Large Black and Grey at the Villain Arts Milwaukee Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Milwaukee, USA)
Villain Arts Chicago Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Chicago, USA) - Judge
Villain Arts Tampa Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (Tampa, USA) - Judge
Villain Arts San Antonio Tattoo Arts Festival 2025 (San Antonio, USA) - Judge