Ep 16. Master vs. Apprentice Live

Ink Master season 6 episode 16, titled "Master vs. Apprentice Live," is an exciting episode that brings together some of the best tattoo artists in the business. This episode is unique in that it features both master artists and their apprentices working together in a live competition.

The episode begins with host Dave Navarro introducing the three judges – Oliver Peck, Chris Nunez, and Dave's own tattooist, Bob Tyrell – as well as the nine master artists and their nine apprentices. The competition is set up like a tournament, with the master artists and apprentices ranked by a random draw to determine who will face off against each other in the first round.

The first tattoo challenge is announced, and the pairs have five hours to complete a black and grey tattoo combining a Japanese and American traditional style. This challenge is especially difficult because the artists must unify two distinct styles into one cohesive design. As the artists get to work, tensions run high as some of the apprentices struggle to keep up with their master's level of skill.

After the first round is complete, the judges evaluate each tattoo and choose which pair will advance to the next round. The remaining artists are given a second challenge, this time with an even more difficult task: to create a color portrait-style tattoo with realism in five hours. This challenge really showcases the skill of each artist, and the pressure is intense as they race against the clock to complete their designs.

As the judges evaluate the second round of tattoos, some of the apprentices really start to shine. However, it is ultimately up to the judges to decide who will move on to the final round. The remaining artists are given one last challenge for the championship: to create a new school style tattoo, but this time in a staggering three hours. This challenge is especially challenging due to the time constraint, but the artists all rise to the occasion and create impressive designs.

In the end, the judges must decide which pair has the best overall tattoos and crown them the winners of the competition. Along the way, viewers get to witness some truly breathtaking designs and witness the incredible talent of the competing artists.

"Master vs. Apprentice Live" is an exhilarating episode for fans of the show, as it features some of the most talented artists in the industry working together in a unique and exciting format. It's a testament to the skill and dedication required to be a top-notch tattoo artist, and viewers are sure to be captivated by the artistry on display.