Ink Master (season 6)

Ink Master (season 6)
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 16
Release
Original network Spike
Original release

June 23 (2015-06-23) – October 13, 2015 (2015-10-13)

Additional information
Host(s) Dave Navarro
Judges Oliver Peck
Chris Núñez
No. of contestants 18
Winner Dave Kruseman
Season chronology

The sixth season of the tattoo reality competition Ink Master (subtitled as Ink Master: Master vs. Apprentice) premiered on Spike on June 23 and concluded on October 13, 2015 with a total of 16 episodes. The season was announced on December 1, 2014 and premiered on June 23, 2015.[1] The premise of this season is to feature mentors and their apprentices as they compete against each other in an elimination-style competition with a $100,000 grand prize.

St. Marq returned for Ink Master: Revenge. He was the first veteran artist introduced to the competition. He was eliminated in episode 5 and was the first veteran artist eliminated.

Judges, guest judges, and special appearances

Judges

The judges for season six were Chris Núñez, Oliver Peck, and Dave Navarro who also serves as host of the show.

Guest judges

The guest judges this season include Richard Stell (episode 2), Avan Jogia (episode 4), Mike Rubendall (episode 6), Justin Weatherholtz (episode 9) and Rose Hardy (episode 10) and Carter Foster (episode 11).

Special appearances

Allen Robinson, Tony Jefferson, Khaseem Greene, Keith Pough, Darius Slay and Kamerion Wimbley all appeared in episode 13 as guests in the flash challenge and as human canvases for the elimination tattoo.

Judging and ranking

As in past seasons, the artist with the best tattoo, as deemed by the judges, wins the challenge. Minor changes in the judging and associated rules have occurred throughout the seasons. During the final decision, the judges will vote for one of the bottom artists and the artist with two or three votes will be eliminated from the competition.

The judge listing types are:

The judging panel is the table of three primary judges and any guest judges for that episode if one is chosen.
A guest judge is selected for appearance and participation in some episodes, and is usually an expert in the skill the contestants are being tested on in the particular challenge. He or she collaborates with the Judging Panel to finalize the voting decision. A guest judge's vote carries an equal weight to that of the regular judges.
After the tattoos are completed, the canvases for the challenge gather and vote on the worst of that day's tattoos. While the primary judges have the final say, the weight of the canvas vote does affect the judging panels final decision. This season, the canvas whose artist was voted worst tattoo of the day will come to the panel to explain to the judges what the jury discussed.
The artists who won their head to head challenge gather to decide which two artists they want to put up for elimination. The two artists will then join the human canvas's pick in the face off tattoo. In episode 7, the losing teams decide who is the weakest member of their respective team and the two weakest will square off in the face off tattoo.

Contestants

Craig Foster, former season 3 contestant, returns as an apprentice.

Source unless otherwise noted:[2]

Master Apprentice
Chris Blinston Tyler Nolan
Matt O'Baugh Katie McGowan
Cesar "Big Ceeze" Castaneda[3] Kito Talbert
Erik Campbell Marisa LaRen
Earl Noble Dave Clarke
Miami Burgess Craig Foster
Mark S. Agee a.k.a. St. MarQ[4] Ryan Hadley
Mat "MV" Valles Brian Stephens
Dave Krusemanc1 Duffy Fortner

Progress

Flash Challenge Progress

Episode Number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 Most wins
Flash Challenge
Winner(s)		 None None Erik
Chris		 Duffy
Erik
St. Marq		 Craig
Big Ceeze		 Chris None Matt Dave
Marisa		 Chris
Erik
Craig		 Tyler None Tyler Kruseman None Chris
Erik
3 wins

Elimination Challenge Progress

Artist Name Years
Experience 		Residence 1c2 2c2 3c2 4c2 5c2 6c2 7 8 9 10c2 11c2 12 13 14 15 16
Dave Kruseman 20 Hagerstown, Maryland IN+ IN+ IN+ IN- LOW- HIGH WIN IN IN IN- LOWc4 IN H/L LOW WIN INK MASTER
Chris Blinston 18 Coral Springs, Florida LOW- IN+ IN+ IN+ IN+ IN F/O IN WIN IN+ IN+ LOW IN WIN IN RUNNER UP
Matt O'Baugh 14 Sherwood, Arkansas IN- IN+ IN+ IN+ IN- WIN IN HIGH LOW IN+ LOW- LOW IN HIGH WIN 3RD PLACE
Craig Foster 20 Carrollton, Georgia IN+ IN+ IN+ IN- IN+ IN WIN WIN LOW IN- IN- IN LOW IN OUT
Duffy Fortner 12 Prince Frederick, Maryland H/L- IN- IN- IN- IN+ IN IN LOW LOW LOW- IN+ WIN LOW OUT
Tyler Nolan 10 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida IN+ IN- IN- IN+ IN+ IN IN LOW LOW IN- IN+ IN OUT
Erik Campbell 13 Grand Junction, Colorado IN+ IN+ IN+ IN+ LOW- HIGH WIN HIGH HIGH LOW- INc4 OUT
Katie McGowan 5 Sherwood, Arkansas IN+ IN- IN+ IN- LOW- IN IN IN IN IN+ OUT-
Dave Clarke 11 Fort Walton Beach, Florida IN+ IN+ IN- IN- IN+ LOW IN IN IN OUT-
Marisa LaRen 3 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida IN- IN- IN- LOW- IN+ LOW WIN LOW OUT
Big Ceeze 17 Anaheim, California IN+ IN+ LOW- IN+ IN+ LOW IN OUT
St. Marq 25 West Lafayette, Indiana IN+ IN+ IN+ IN- IN- IN OUT
Kito Talbert 10 Tulsa, Oklahoma IN- F/O- LOW- LOW- IN- OUT
Earl Noble 10 St. Petersburg, Florida IN- F/O- IN+ IN- OUT-
Mat "MV" Valles 6 El Paso, Texas IN+ LOW- IN- OUT-
Miami Burgess 23 Carrollton, Georgia IN- IN- OUT-
Ryan Hadley 15 Fort Wayne, Indiana LOW- OUT-
Brian Stephens 3 El Paso, Texas OUT-

Credit Order: Marisa & Erik, Ryan & St. Marq, Earl & Dave, Kito & Big Ceeze, Duffy & Kruseman, MV & Brian, Miami & Craig, Matt & Katie, Tyler & Chris

<span style="background-color:white "legend"; color:; border:1px solid darkgray; text-align:center;">    Legend
 INKMASTER  The contestant won the competition and was named Ink Master.
 RUNNER UP  The contestant was the runner-up on Ink Master.
 3RD PLACE  The contestant was 3rd place on Ink Master.
 WIN  The contestant won best tattoo of the day.
 WIN  The contestant won the marathon tattoo
 F/O  The contestant won the face-off.
 F/O  The contestant was voted worst by the human canvas jury, but won the face-off to stay in the competition.
 (IN)+  The contestant won the Head to Head Challenge.
 (IN)-  The contestant lost the Head to Head Challenge.
 HIGH  The contestant was given an honorable mention in the judges recall.
 HIGH  The contestant was considered to be among the top.
 H/L  The contestant was given an honorable mention in the judges recall, but was voted worst artist by the human canvas jury.
 LOW  The contestant was among the bottom group in the judges recall.
 LOW  The contestant was voted worst by the human canvas jury.
 LOW  The contestant was considered to be in the bottom.
 OUT  The contestant was eliminated from the competition.
 OUT  The contestant was voted worst by the human canvas jury and eliminated from the competition.
 OUT  The contestant won the flash challenge but was eliminated from the competition.


Progress Table notes:

^Note c1 : Since there are two Daves, Kruseman will be referred to by his last name.

^Note c2 : This was a Head to Head challenge. One artist won and was safe from elimination, the other lost and was in danger. However, in Episode 4, every Head to Head challenge involved three people. One artist would win, and the other two would lose. Episode 6 features all the artists tattooing against the guest judge.

^Note c3 : Since MV's apprentice, Brian, was eliminated from the competition, for the elimination tattoo he was assigned an open canvas and could select which Master/Apprentice combo he wanted to tattoo against. He chose Matt and Katie.

^Note c4 : The judges decided that there was no winner in the Head to Head challenge between Kruseman and Erik.

Episodes

Episode 1: Meet Your Maker

(aired on June 23, 2015)

Episode 2: Fight or Flight

(aired on June 30, 2015)
Artist(s) Subject
Miami & Craig Horseshoe
Kruseman & Duffy Mermaid
Big Ceeze & Kito Compass rose
Chris & Tyler Anchor
MV, Matt and Katie Gypsy
St. Marq & Ryan Skull
Earl & Dave Snake
Erik & Marisa Clipper Ship

Episode 3: Sink or Swim

(aired on July 7, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Contrast

Flash Challenge: The artists head to the American Museum of Natural History for their first flash challenge where they will work in teams of two to tattoo a kraken in battle on both canvas' hands at the same time with the kraken in black and grey on one hand and the enemy in any color on the other hand. In addition to assigning all the human canvases in the elimination tattoo, the winning team will also be rewarded a trip to a tattoo convention in Las Vegas provided by Kraken Rum. Each artist will pick a skull with a number on the bottom that will determine the team.

Winner(s): Chris & Erik

Elimination Tattoo: In their third head to head challenge, the artists have six hours to create a stained glass tattoo.

Artist Subject
Big Ceeze & Craig Cross
MV & Chris Angel
Erik & Tyler Lighthouse
Marisa & Earl Skull
Kito & Matt Wolf
Kruseman & Miami Carousel horse
St. Marq & Dave Bluebirds
Katie & Duffy Dolphin

Tattoo Critique: Craig, Katie, Erik, Matt, Chris, Earl, St. Marq and Kruseman won their head to challenge.

Human Canvas Jury: Big Ceeze was voted worst tattoo of day due to its placement.

Elimination: Big Ceeze, Miami and Kito were the bottom three but the judges eliminated Miami.

Episode 4: Tut for Tat

(aired on July 14, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Detail

Flash Challenge: The remaining artists meet up with Dave and the judges at the Brooklyn Museum where they are introduced to this week's guest judge and star of the Spike miniseries Tut Avan Jogia. By working in teams of three, they have to use paint and gold leaf to design a sarcophagus.

Winner(s): Duffy, Erik and St. Marq

Elimination Tattoo: Following a sneak peek of Tut, the fourth head to head features the artists creating Egyptian tattoos against two people with the same subject

Artist(s) Subject
St. Marq, Big Ceeze and Kito King Tut
Duffy, Dave and Tyler Isis
Erik, Earl and Katie Anubis
Kruseman, Matt and Craig Nefertiti
MV, Chris and Marisa Sphinx

Tattoo Critique: Big Ceeze, Erik, Tyler, Matt and Chris won their head to head challenge.

Human Canvas Jury: Marisa was voted as worst tattoo of the day for the lack of detail in her Sphinx tattoo. Her canvas said that there were minor issues with the final result of his tattoo.

Elimination: Along with Marisa, MV and Kito were also in the bottom three. MV gets frustrated after receiving the criticism for the details in his tattoo, causing him to be eliminated from the competition.

Episode 5: Problem Parts

(aired on July 28, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Ingenuity
Flash Challenge: Working in teams of two, the artists have four hours to make a human form disappear by painting their nude canvas with black, white and UV color paint. They will also receive a small black light to illuminate the area they're working on before their final result at the end of the challenge.

Winner(s): Craig and Big Ceeze

Elimination Tattoo: The next head to head challenge features the artists creating illusions on body parts that are difficult to tattoo. Chris's canvas passed out prior to the challenge and was given extra time to tattoo a new canvas but had to design a new tattoo after the new canvas didn't want the tattoo that was originally given to the original canvas.
Tattoo Critique: Craig, Chris, Dave, Tyler, Big Ceeze, Marisa and Duffy won their head to head challenge.
Human Canvas Jury: The human canvas jury chose Katie for worst tattoo of the day because of the confusing details in her fangs tattoo, mainly the tongue.
Elimination: Kruseman, Earl and Erik were also in the bottom. Earl says Kruseman admitted that he didn't do the challenge which lead to Dave picking Kruseman but Oliver and Chris voted Earl to be eliminated for not producing a good tattoo.

Episode 6: Firing Lines

(aired on August 4, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Line
Flash Challenge: The artists must use linework to engrave a Dogū.

Winner: Chris

Elimination Tattoo: The artists battle Mike Rubendall in their sixth head to head challenge where they have six hours to tattoo a koi fish. Rubendall will also tattoo at the same time. Each artist received the same koi fish he drew for them to design their own tattoo.
Tattoo Critique: The judges directly compared each artist's koi fish to Rubendall's. Most of the artists struggled with the challenge but Erik, Matt and Kruseman managed to pull it off.

Best Tattoo of the Day: Matt

Human Canvas Jury: Kito and his canvas get into an argument after he was voted worst tattoo of the day while she complains to the judges about her tattoo.
Elimination: Joining Kito in the bottom is Dave, Marisa and Big Ceeze. The judges ended up picking Kito who blames his canvas for costing him the competition.

Episode 7: Predator/Prey

(aired on August 11, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Texture
Elimination Tattoo: Working in teams of four, the artists have six hours to transform a canvas into an animal at the same time by turning their skin into animal skin. The canvases will pick four skulls with the artists' name that will determine the team. The canvas, who wanted cheetah skin, suffers a panic attack near the end of the elimination tattoo and decided not to continue.
Tattoo Critique: All the artists were judged as a team. Tyler, Matt, Duffy and St. Marq's Brazilian rainbow boa received a mixed response despite Tyler's knowledge. Craig, Erik, Kruseman and Marissa worked together on their crocodile skin and they were praised for their placement and the execution. Next the judges critique Chris, Katie, Big Ceeze and Dave's cheetah skin despite their canvas' withdrawal but gave them mixed reviews because the tattoo is unfinished. And being a snake expert, Tyler argues with the judges after his team didn't execute the challenge. The losing teams determine which members on the team is the weakest. Chris and St. Marq were voted by their teammates despite the fact that they voted for themselves.

Winner(s): Craig, Erik, Kruseman and Marisa

Face Off Tattoo: Chris and St. Marq must tattoo an anatomical heart that was designed by the winning team.
Elimination: The artists debate with the judges about the texture in both tattoos because St. Marq and Chris played a strategy but in the end, St. Marq was eliminated.

Episode 8: Composed and Exposed

(aired on August 18, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Composition
Flash Challenge: After meeting with the judges at the US Custom House, the artists have four hours to tattoo a postcard on the canvas' body.

Winner: Matt

Elimination Tattoo: The artists tattoo a style they've never done before where they'll six hours to create a trash polka tattoo.
Tattoo Critique:

Best Tattoo of the Day: Craig

Human Canvas Jury: The jury settled with Tyler. His canvas was unsatisfied with the tattoo, which resulted in Tyler giving him the finger.
Elimination: The judges also put up Big Ceeze, Marisa, and Duffy. Tyler and Ceeze argue over the faces in Ceeze's and Marisa's tattoo as Tyler starts to defend Marisa, but in the end, Big Ceeze was eliminated after Oliver and Dave voted for him while Chris picked Marisa

Episode 9: Like a Moth to the Flame

(aired on August 25, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Saturation
Flash Challenge: The artists work in teams of two where they have to paint panels of wood with fire. Craig, who won the elimination tattoo, assigned all teams.

Winner(s): Dave & Marisa

Elimination Tattoo: The artists have six hours to tattoo Neptune.
Tattoo Critique: Most of the tattoos have been disappointing. Dave got mixed reviews. Craig went too hard on his canvas with the saturation. Matt was criticized for showing Neptune's back. Katie's Neptune was disjointed especially the thumb despite putting in some girly designs in the tattoo. Duffy struggled with the hand and the small details especially the tentacles. The judges didn't like the human figure in Kruseman's tattoo. Chris received praise for hitting the challenge and nailing the size. Oliver is not a fan of Tyler's tattoo while Chris didn't like the caps in the water. Erik received mixed reviews from the judges for looking unfinished. Marisa's didn't have any saturation. In a 3-1 vote, Dave voted for Erik while the rest of the judges voted for Chris.

Best Tattoo of the Day: Chris

Human Canvas Jury: The jury voted Craig for worst tattoo of the day because of the color. The canvas disagreed with the jury and instead praises him because they worked together on the tattoo.
Elimination: Duffy, Matt, Marisa and Tyler were chosen by as the judges' bottom picks. In a difficult decision, Chris voted for Tyler who argues with the judges because he doesn't do black and grey. Oliver almost voted for him but instead picked Marisa after Tyler apologized and said he will change his attitude. Justin and Dave also picked Marisa, making her the ninth contestant eliminated.

Episode 10: Hell on Wheels

(aired on September 1, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Artistry
Flash Challenge: The artists work in teams of three to paint a full coverage design onto a Dodge Challenger. The winning team's car will then be rewarded to one lucky Ink Master superfan.

Winner(s): Chris, Erik and Craig

Elimination Tattoo: In the next head to head challenge, the artists have six hours to tattoo an anatomical heart morph.

Artist(s) Subject
Chris, Craig and Duffy Grenade
Erik, Tyler and Katie Clock
Matt, Dave and Kruseman Lion

Tattoo Critique: Chris, Katie and Matt won their head to head challenge.
Human Canvas Jury: Duffy was again voted worst tattoo of the day by the human canvas jury but the canvas disagreed because Duffy made her happy.
Elimination: Dave and Erik were in the bottom as well. Although he had good applications in the past, Dave was the next artist eliminated due to his recent application showing a lot of flaws.

Episode 11: Hail Mani

(aired on September 8, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Consistency
Flash Challenge: The remaining artists design matching tattoos for the tattoo virgin's fingernails.

Winner: Tyler

Elimination Tattoo: During their next head to head challenge, the artists have six hours to tattoo a famous work of art.

Artist(s) Artwork
Chris and Matt The Birth of Venus
Duffy and Katie Water Lilies
Kruseman and Erik Starry Night
Tyler and Craig The Scream

Tattoo Critique: While Tyler, Chris and Duffy won their head to head challenge, the judges did not pick a winner between Kruseman and Erik after both of them failed with their Starry Night tattoo.
Human Canvas Jury: Katie was voted worst tattoo of the day for the second time.
Elimination: Matt and Kruseman were voted in the bottom. The judges didn't see any consistency in Kruseman's tattoo. Matt's tattoo was criticized mainly the face. In a split decision between the master and apprentice, Katie was the next artist to be eliminated.

Episode 12: Slitting Throats

(aired on September 15, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Finesse
Flash Challenge: The seven artists work on a tattoo designed by the guest artist with down syndrome which will then be placed on their loved ones.

Elimination Tattoo: Prior to the elimination tattoo, Erik assigned all the human canvases after picking the skull with an X on the bottom. The artists have six hours to create a Victorian tattoo on the canvas' throat.
Tattoo Critique: Erik's finesse has inconsistencies and his piece was named the weakest, according to Oliver. Tyler received praised for the harp. Matt's tattoo was criticized for being too dark due to the lack of finesse. Craig was up next and was given a good response for making a tattoo that isn't in a Victorian style despite a hiccup. Kruseman and Duffy also received praised especially Duffy for pulling off finesse in the outline and having a great application. The judges question Chris for going through a lot of trouble in his tattoo.

Best Tattoo of the Day: Duffy

Human Canvas Jury: The human canvas jury chose Matt as worst tattoo of the day. The canvas tells the judges that she too voted for him.
Elimination: Chris and Erik were the judges' bottom pick. Chris and Matt argue just as Chris complains about Matt's tattoo. Erik became the next artist eliminated in a 2-1 vote.

Episode 13: Player's Choice

(aired on September 22, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Technical Application
Flash Challenge: The artists have three hours to tattoo a football with an autograph of an NFL player from the superfan's favorite team.

Winner: Tyler

Elimination Tattoo: The artists interview each NFL player who will then choose which artist they want to get tattooed by. As winner of the flash challenge, Tyler picked his own canvas first. In addition, the artists will have six hours to tattoo the canvas' design of his choice.
Tattoo Critique: All the artists disappointed the judges with their tattoos including some that struggled tattooing darker skin. Despite Dave picking Chris and Oliver and Chris picking Kruseman, they decided that there is no best tattoo of the day.

Best Tattoo of the Day: None

Human Canvas Jury: Kruseman was voted worst tattoo of the day because of the way he played it safe in his tattoo.
Elimination: Craig, Duffy and Tyler were selected as the judge's bottom picks. Craig's symbol did not impress the judges. Duffy's tattoo was unreadable but Kruseman disagreed with what Chris said. Tyler lost it on tattooing the bear when he said he doesn't do dark skin. Oliver's vote came down to either Craig or Tyler cause he felt Duffy's was the cleanest out of the three. In the end, the judges settled on Tyler as the next artist eliminated.

Episode 14: Active Duty

(aired on September 29, 2015)

Skill of the Week: Precision
Flash Challenge: The artists have five hours to create a precised design using only nails.

Winner: Kruseman

Elimination Tattoo: The artists have six hours to tattoo a portrait on active military soldiers before they and their loved ones are separated for deployment.
Tattoo Critique: Kruseman and Duffy received mixed reviews because their portraits didn't look like the actual person. Craig redeemed himself this week by receiving good reviews for his black and grey portrait. Matt's tattoo captures the person but lacked focus on the face. Chris received strong reviews for his colored tattoo especially telling the judges about his time in the military. Best tattoo of the day came down to either Matt or Chris.

Best Tattoo of the Day: Chris

Human Canvas Jury: Duffy was voted worst tattoo of the day.
Elimination: Kruseman was also in the bottom as well. In another split decision between master and apprentice, Duffy was the next artist eliminated.

Episode 15: Go Big or Go Home

(aired on October 6, 2015)

Marathon Tattoo: The final four artists compete in a tattoo marathon where they will have to tattoo four different designs in four different styles. Each artist will pick a skull that has the style and subject on the bottom and they then have to be incorporated in the design they create, one of the skulls has an artist's choice. Then, they must tattoo their design and the other design created by the competitors. In addition, they will have 90 minutes to tattoo each design one after another on the same canvas. The first part features tattooing a black and grey geometric tattoo that was designed by Matt. Craig's New School popsicle is up next. Chris's fine line black & grey tattoo is the third part of the marathon followed by Kruseman's colored Japanese tattoo.
Tattoo Critique: The judges all the designs by each artists. Matt got good critique despite struggling with Chris'design. Craig, Kruseman and Chris received mixed critique in all their tattoos. Although Chris and Kruseman won in their design, it was Matt prevailed in both his design and New School tattoo

Winner: Matt

Elimination Tattoo: Chris, Kruseman and Craig have one last head to head battle against themselves that will determine the final two artists who will join Matt in the finale which is revealed that they have six hours to redo their design they botched in the competition.
Tattoo Critique: Chris's phoenix did not redeem him which is revealed that the wings are backwards. Kruseman managed to pull off a better design of his stained glass carousel unlike his original design which didn't meet the stained glass tattoo challenge. Craig did a better drawing of his Neptune, but, messed up on the face.
Best Tattoo of the Day: Kruseman
Elimination: Despite arguing with the judges about his tattoo, Chris was picked as the last artist going to the finale.

Episode 16

(aired on October 13, 2015)

Finale Tattoo: The final three have 35 cumulative hours each to create a backpiece in the style and subject of their choice. They also must create a six-hour tattoo live in the style of the viewers' choice. During the finale, the winner who the viewers picked as best six hour tattoo will earn them a spot in the final two. The overall winner is picked by the judges solely on the premise of their 35-hour tattoo.

Winner: Dave Kruseman

References

  1. ↑ ""Ink Master" Announcement". "Ink Master" official site (Spike). Retrieved January 9, 2015.
  2. ↑ "Ink Master Bios". Ink Master official site (Spike). Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  3. ↑ Lovece, Frank (August 24, 2015). "Reality Check > Recaps". Newsday. p. 17. Retrieved August 26, 2015. (subscription required)
  4. ↑ Meredith, Robyn (February 17, 1997). "Tattoo Art Gains Color And Appeal, Despite Risk". The New York Times. Retrieved August 16, 2015. Note: Spike TV spells his name "St. Marq". The New York Times and other sources spell his name "St. MarQ".
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