Frequently Asked Questions

Studio Philosophy

We consider tattooing as a ritual — a unique and sacred moment in life to materialize the strong intention of engraving within oneself a core value, a dream, a passion, a commitment, or a recognition. It becomes an image resource that helps us stay on course and reconnect with what truly matters throughout our lives. Tattooing, like art in general, can also be a powerful tool for healing, self-acceptance, and reconciliation with one's body, like wearing a precious jewel.

Where is the studio located?

The studio is located in Forcalquier, in Provence, 45 minutes from Aix-en-Provence and 1 hour 20 minutes from Marseille Provence Airport. It is accessible by car from Marseille, Aix, and Avignon. This is a private studio, open by appointment only for tattoo sessions. All communication is handled exclusively by email — no messages on social media and no visits to the studio.

How can I get a tattoo?

There are two ways to get tattooed:

1. Flash designs: Several times a year we release flash designs on Facebook and Instagram that can be reserved by email (each design is reserved for one person only). In December, we offer an Advent calendar of flash designs: one flash per day from December 1st to 24th available for reservation.
2. Custom projects: Requests are made exclusively through the website form, which opens twice a year in June and December (not by phone, not via Facebook or Instagram messages, and no appointments at the studio).

Important: Starting in 2026, tattoo projects on surgical scars, accident scars, scarification scars, or post-cancer scars will be given priority and may be reviewed at any time during the year.

You can write to me here: marieroura2@gmail.com

Next opening of the booking schedule for custom tattoo project requests: June 21–28 and December 21–28 via the request form here.

Requests made outside these periods will not be considered, and no one will be given priority out of respect for everyone waiting. Submitting a project request does not guarantee an appointment. The number of available spots is limited.

Projects must already be well thought out, developed, and coherent. This requires significant reflection beforehand on the client’s part. I do not help find ideas for you — I cannot do that in your place, as it is something very personal. Each project is carefully reviewed and will be accepted or declined depending on our ability to work with the theme. We always try to preserve the original concept as much as possible, but sometimes certain adjustments may be proposed, before any commitment, to ensure the project fits the body and is technically feasible. It is our job to make a project achievable, beautiful, harmonious, and readable over time. This requires a certain degree of trust and also some letting go, as this has been my profession for 28 years.

Tattoos are done as a duo by Judicaël and Marie, with the same standard of quality.

- DO NOT COMMIT LIGHTLY. Think carefully before committing. Make sure your project is coherent, personal, and well developed. Tattooing is an important act; it is not something to cancel at the last minute or completely change. Getting tattooed should be a true joy and a passion, a unique experience — not a trend or a momentary impulse. We put a great deal of work into carrying out your projects for people who are genuinely committed, and we cannot waste time unnecessarily.

- WE DO NOT CREATE DESIGNS TO BE TATTOOED ELSEWHERE. Every tattoo artist has their own style and technique. Here we work primarily with fine line tattooing, which is not every tattoo artist’s specialty. Our designs are not made to be used or reproduced elsewhere. Please respect our work.

- PLEASE DO NOT COPY A TATTOO. A tattoo should never be copied. Each design is personalized and unique; it represents a great deal of time, personal investment, and emotion. Custom tattoos often reflect a person’s life and are something very intimate. Plagiarism never flatters a tattoo artist and can hurt people who have the original tattoo and feel that it has been taken from them. Please respect this approach and trust your local tattoo artist to create something that truly suits you. Please do not submit projects copied from the internet — instead, propose ideas that are genuinely personal.

What are the waiting times?

Between 6 months and up to one year at most. Only one rescheduling is possible in case of health or work-related issues. It is very complicated for us to reorganize the schedule, so please do everything you can to keep the original appointment date. Tattoos must be completed within the year.

What style of tattoo do you create?

We tattoo only our own original creations with an artistic approach — no copies, no pre-existing images, and no designs brought by clients. The style is mainly graphic and often quite complex: fine lines, engraving-inspired work, dotwork, and sketch-like elements, sometimes with touches of color. Each composition is designed to harmonize with the body.

Do you tattoo everyone and every area of the body?

We do not tattoo hands, neck, face, or stomach, except in certain cases for some of our existing clients. Flanks are considered on a case-by-case basis, and never for a first tattoo.

Preferred placement order: forearm, calf, arm, thigh, upper back, chest.

1. For a first tattoo, we strongly advise against tattooing areas that can be particularly painful (ribs, flanks, chest, sternum, underboob, undercut, underbutt). It is essential to understand your own tolerance to pain before committing to such a project, in order to endure the full duration of the session without moving.
2. Integrating older tattoos or small cover-ups may be possible and can be discussed together.
3. Complementary tattoos are possible for couples, friends, or members of the same family. However, we do not create identical tattoos — each tattoo is unique, as we are all unique with our own experiences, stories, and personalities.
4. Certain skin or health conditions are incompatible with tattooing: eczema, hyperelastic skin, after significant weight loss, acne, pimples, excessive moles, wounds, treatable varicose veins, diabetes, certain heavy medical treatments, etc.
5. Tattooing over certain scars may be possible with medical approval. The scars must be old enough: between 2 and 5 years depending on their depth. This can be discussed together with a photo, or preferably during a visit to the studio. This includes surgical scars, injuries, scarification scars, burns, or visual rebalancing for scoliosis.
6. We tattoo all skin tones except very dark skin, as very fine-line styles do not show well on such skin. In these cases, another tattoo style is recommended. The darker the skin, the more limited the possibilities for colors and shading.

What themes do you work with?

We favor projects that explore the following themes: spirituality, nature, floral elements, jewelry, archaeology, history, indigenous cultures, Celtic influences, symbols, esotericism, ethnology, mythology, spirit animals, sacred geometry, and steampunk — all within a positive dimension.

It is important for us to enjoy what we create. Some projects are more inspiring to us than others, though they may inspire different tattoo artists. Everyone has their own artistic sensitivity. No project is bad in itself; it may simply not correspond to our universe or to our abilities.

What is the price?

Once a project is accepted, we provide a price estimate. The final price will depend on the size, level of detail, placement on the body, whether color is used or not, the quality of the skin, and pain management during the session. The exact amount will be calculated as fairly as possible at the end of the session. I never give general prices — each project is evaluated individually.

To reserve a date, I require a payment via PayPal or bank transfer. This amount contributes to the drawing time and represents a mutual commitment. Depending on the size and complexity of the project, the amount requested will be between €50 and €200. This payment is not deducted from the price of the session and will not be refunded in case of cancellation.

No installment payments and no credit options.

How should I prepare my project request?

Clarify your request with precise elements to create a truly personal project. A specific, very original, or unusual theme will be much more interesting to me. Preparing a project requires substantial preliminary work on your side before writing to me. Take the time needed for the project to become mature and meaningful.

For the request form, provide a short summary in a few lines. We need concrete information, straight to the point: no personal psychological, philosophical, or historical background. Avoid vague themes or generalities such as “peace, nature, balance, music, flower…” We do not accept projects with a negative connotation (for example those related to suffering, trauma, bad memories, betrayal, hatred, revenge, failure, black magic, etc.). Choose the placement, size, and whether you want color or not. Limit the elements to two to four depending on the size — no more. The project should be concise.

If your project is selected, I will ask for the complete file within the following days. It should be prepared in advance.

THE COMPLETE FILE

1. A clear and more detailed description, including your motivations and explanations.
2. Prepare a rough sketch, even a very poorly drawn one, so that I can understand how the elements are arranged. This is extremely important. The goal is not to create the final drawing, but to help me understand the overall idea. If you really don’t know how to arrange it, I will have full creative freedom to design the composition and assemble the elements.
3. Prepare reference images and photos of my tattoos that you like (maximum 10 images attached — no links).
4. Prepare photos of the area to be tattooed and of any existing tattoos close to that area.

It can take several weeks for me to process all requests, so please do not send additional emails asking about the status. You will receive a quick reply confirming that your project has been received, and then you will need to wait.

Please do not be offended if your project is not selected. It may simply be better suited to another tattoo artist whose work aligns more closely with your request.

People who struggle with commitment, reliability, money management, trust, or excessive control should probably look elsewhere and leave space for those who are truly motivated and dependable. Time is too limited to waste. Here we work based on trust and in the most fluid way possible. Some indecisive people, or those who find it difficult to prepare their project, prefer to work with a local tattoo artist with whom they can discuss the project regularly over several months — that is not how we work. We prefer projects that are already well developed.

How do you work?

Once the project is accepted and the drawing fee has been paid via PayPal, an appointment date is scheduled.

1. About one month before the appointment, we contact you again for a final review of the project and any additional information needed. At that point, the project becomes final. Sometimes a phone discussion can be very useful. Adjustments to the initial project are possible, but the size, placement, and main theme must remain the same. If you want to change the entire project, everything will have to be reassessed and the new project may not necessarily be accepted. This is not ideal for us. Given the small number of projects we accept, it represents a significant loss of time, and we expect you to be fully certain about your initial idea.
2. The drawing is sent 24 to 48 hours before the tattoo session — not earlier. The drawing is not meant to determine whether you will travel for the appointment or not. To date, all of my drawings have been approved by our clients because they correspond exactly to the request based on the elements provided. If you are clear in your request, there will be no unpleasant surprises. Minor details can be adjusted if necessary, but major changes to the design will be charged.
3. We work with only one client per day in the studio. Guests are not allowed.
4. All tattoos are created as a duo by Marie Roura and Judicaël.
5. Everyone is welcomed with respect and without judgment or discrimination, regardless of their medical history, origins, skin color, sexual orientation, social background, age, body type, or personal characteristics. We talk a lot, take our time in a calm and friendly atmosphere, we have very good coffee, there is no stress — you can even sleep if you feel like it.
6. Large pieces will now be completed in multiple sessions. We are moving away from long sessions of 6 to 8 hours and instead completing large tattoos in two sessions over two consecutive days or spaced at least six weeks apart. Few people can endure very long sessions and often end up needing to return anyway. For everyone’s comfort, this is the best solution.
7. Touch-ups: they are not systematic but may be done if necessary free of charge within six months, provided that the aftercare has been done properly and that the tattoo has not been exposed to the sun during the weeks following the session. After that period, touch-ups will be charged.