Ep 9. Sink Or Soar

Ink Master season 7 episode 9, titled "Sink Or Soar," brings together eight tattoo artists to showcase their skills as they compete in various challenges. Hosted by Dave Navarro, the reality TV series centers on tattooing and the artistry that goes into the craft while challenging artists to create the best tattoos in different styles, themes, and techniques.

In this episode, the remaining eight artists return to the studio after the elimination of Picasso Dular in the previous episode. The stakes are high as the artists know that the competition is getting tougher with every passing round. The episode opens with the artists being instructed that they would be judged individually this week instead of in teams as in previous episodes.

Dave Navarro presents the first challenge of the episode. The artists must create tattoos using only black ink. The judges, Oliver Peck, Chris Nunez, and Dave Kruseman, evaluate the tattoos based on technical ability, composition, and overall appearance. The artists have to create tattoos ranging from Japanese dragon to American traditional to see if they can master the ink.

After the first challenge, the artists face a second test. This challenge tests how well they can stencil tattoos onto the skin. In this challenge, the artists are asked to recreate tattoos on different parts of the body. The judges expect the artists to pay close attention to detail and precision when tattooing. The artists are not allowed to use stencil paper when recreating the artwork.

The next challenge focuses on color theory. The judges ask the artists to create black-and-grey tattoos using a single color. The artists have to demonstrate their understanding of color value and composition in this challenge. The judges may pick tattoos that play with light and shadows, which effectively captures the subject's mood.

In the last challenge of the episode, the artists must work with teams of two. They face the most significant challenge of the season, and the stakes are incredibly high. The pairs must ink a photograph onto the contestant's body that they had not seen before. The contestants then have to work together and use their creativity to deliver a crisp and beautiful tattoo. The judges then chose the tattoo that best represents the photo.

The artists then send their models to the judges for inspection, where they evaluate the tattoos based on artistic ability and execution. The judges eliminate one artist who failed to meet their expectations. The remaining artists move onto the next round of competition.

Ultimately, the episode offers an exciting and intense competition with talented artists showcasing their tattooing skills amidst challenging themes. By the end of the episode, audiences remain on the edge of their seat as they eagerly anticipate the next episode to witness the outcome of the competition.