ABOUT BLACK ANCHOR ACADEMY

Founded in 2015 Black Anchor Academy is the premier series of mastery learning courses for tattoo artists started by Nikko Hurtado. Over the years the Academy has brought the world’s most recognized artists together to share knowledge and tools that help artists master the art of tattooing. Our workshops and seminars were the first of their kind combining fine art and tattooing with a hands-on experience. 

Our mission to help the community grow not only by providing technical education but also the tools needed to succeed in life as an entrepreneur. Our goal is to provide rare and specialized education experience to tattoo artists with the help of amazing teachers like Michael Hussar, Shawn Barber, Chet Zar, Mister Cartoon, Sergio Sanchez, Carlos Torres, Steve Butcher, Boris, Russ Abbott, Jesse Smith, Deano Cook, Joe Capobianco, Victor Portugal, BJ Betts and more.

FIGURATIVE STRUCTURE and VALUES with SERGIO SANCHEZ and NIKKO HURTADO

In October 2018 Black Anchor Hollywood will host artists Sergio Sanchez and Nikko Hurtado in a new and exploratorium process of structure and values in modern tattooing.

PAINTING & TATTOOING WORKSHOP with   SHAWN BARBER and NIKKO HURTADO

In September 2017 Black Anchor LA hosted it's first Academy event with artist Shawn Barber and Nikko Hurtado. These two amazing artists taught a 2 -day workshop about inspiration, reference, tones, and color tattoo realism. The event featured a human skull  for reference and Barber brought many of his works to the gallery so students could see his work up close and personal.

SCULPTING & TATTOOING  WORKSHOP FEATURING CHET ZAR and NIKKO HURTADO

In April 2017 artists Chet Zar and Nikko Hurtado teamed up to do a special sculpting and tattooing workshop which focused on texture, depth, and shadows. Each student created a full head sculpture based on Chet Zar's creation and the next day tattooed the image on a Pound of Flesh arm. 

COLOR PORTRAIT  TATTOOING WORKSHOP with CARLOS ROJAS and NIKKO HURTADO

In August and September 2018 the high desert hosted a 2 -day workshop about color theory and color tattoo realism. Both Nikko Hurtado and Carlos Rojas worked with over 22 students over the 2 workshops to take the students skills to the next level.

OIL PAINTING & TATTOOING WORKSHOP with MICHAEL HUSSAR and NIKKO HURTADO

November 2016 marked the first collaboration between artist Michael Hussar and Nikko Hurtado as they taught a 2 -day workshop about color theory, oil painting, and color tattoo realism. The event featured a live model for reference and Hussar brought some of his most iconic paintings for the students to see in detail.

BLACK ANCHOR COLLECTIVE ACADEMY

This special event was a 3-day workshop featuring all of the artists at Black Anchor Collective teaching seminars. Aric Taylor taught photography basics, Ben Ochoa taught marketing, Carlos Rojas taught color portraits, Jamie Schene taught coverups, Mat Hurtado taught oil painting basics, and Nikko Hurtado finished the workshop with a full day tattooing workshop.