A BRADFORD tattooist has received international acclaim at a convention down south this month.

Mason Preece, 21, of Keighley, achieved two separate awards for his work, at the annual Oxford International Tattoo Convention on September 1 and 2.

The tattooist and artist travelled to the university city as part of The Drop Of Ink team - an award-winning tattoo studio based in Otley Road, Shipley.

In his first year at the convention, Mr Preece was recognised for his portrait of Fleetwood Mac singer-songwriter, Stevie Nicks, earning him the Best of Show award for the Sunday, as well as the Best Black and Grey award for the whole two day convention.

This celebration of tattoos saw artists from across the country enter categories specific to their style of artwork and compete to find the best in each individual style.

Over 100 artists, traders, entertainers and musicians turned up for the event at the Matthew Arnold School in Botley, Oxford.

Tattooers were on hand to meet the needs of those itching for some new ink, as well as showing off their artwork.

There were also two piercers at the convention.

Mr Preece describes his favoured mode as black and grey realism and has over a thousand followers on his tattoo Instagram page.

Some of his pieces include, a depiction of Winston Churchill added to the backdrop of war half-sleeve, several Suicide Squad tattoos, and a inked version of Chucky.

Mr Preece has also paid tribute to the likes of Albert Einstein, Marilyn Monroe and Leonardo Di Caprio on his clients.

One of his most interesting tattoo stories came from a client with a love for Ozzy Osbourne.

In March this year, the tattoo artist inked a portrait of the former Black Sabbath frontman on a customer.

Later in 2018, the client had the chance to show-off the depiction to the man himself at Download Festival and Ozzy did the honour of signing the tatt.

Only a day later, Mr Preece was on hand to line the autograph and have the sentimental moment immortalised on his client's body.

The Drop Of Ink, where he is based, specialises in Traditional, Neo Traditional, Old School and New School tattoos and hosts a strong team of different style artists.

Now multi-award winning tattooer, Mr Preece, has been in the trade for three years in total, taking in an apprenticeship in Leeds, before returning to Bradford to become a resident artist at The Drop Of Ink studio.

He also sometimes moves away from skin to create art on canvas and paper, such as his graphite tribute to the late Linkin Park lead singer, Chester Bennington, last July.

Mr Preece's work can be found online through thedropofink.com and on his Instagram @mason_tattoos.