Ep 4. Pain in the Ribs

As the third season of Best Ink continues, the fourth episode, Pain in the Ribs, presents a whole new set of challenges and opportunities for the remaining tattoo artists.

The episode kicks off with the artists tasked with creating a black-and-gray shaded portrait tattoo of a famous musician of their choice. While some of the contestants had experience with this style, others struggle to deliver a piece that impresses the judges. The stakes are high, and the artists must impress the judges to make it to the next round.

After the portrait challenge, the artists are given a surprise twist for their second challenge. They are given the opportunity to design a tattoo based on a rib roll of their clients. Taking inspiration from their client's bodies, the artists create unique designs that reveal the hardships, challenges and struggles that their clients have overcome.

The tattoos are mostly symbolic, and the artists are expected to use the ribs as a canvas to create something beautiful and meaningful. The judges are impressed with the creativity and skill displayed by the artists during this challenge, leading to a tense elimination round where the slightest mistake could mean the end of their journey in the competition.

Throughout the episode, viewers get to see the different personalities of the tattoo artists as they compete against each other to prove that they have what it takes to win the competition. Some play it safe with their designs, while others take risks and create boundary-pushing tattoos that show off their skill and artistry.

The judging panel, which includes tattoo artist Joe Capobianco and Sabina Kelley as a guest judge, provides valuable feedback on the artists' work, allowing viewers to gain insights into the art of tattooing. The judges examine each tattoo closely, noting every detail, from the technique used to the overall theme and meaning of the tattoo.

The competition heats up as the artists enter the elimination round, where the weakest tattoo of the day is singled out for criticism and one artist is sent home. This leads to a heated exchange of opinions as the contestants argue with each other to justify why their tattoos should not be the one that gets eliminated.

As the judges make the final decision, viewers are kept on the edge of their seats, wondering who will stay and who will go home. With the stakes so high, the artists are under immense pressure to deliver the best tattoos of their lives. But only one will be crowned the winner of Best Ink season 3.

Overall, Pain in the Ribs is an exciting and intriguing episode of Best Ink that showcases the remarkable skills of the tattoo artists as they push their limits to create beautiful and meaningful works of body art. It offers a glimpse into the intense world of tattooing and the passion and dedication that is required to succeed in this competitive field.