Ep 5. That's Gonna Leave A Mark

In Ink Master season 11 episode 5, titled "That's Gonna Leave A Mark," the competition continues as the remaining tattoo artists are tasked with creating black and grey tattoo portraits. Guest judge Ryan Ashley Malarkey joins Oliver Peck and Chris Nunez at the judge's table as they scrutinize every detail of the artists' work.

The episode starts with a flash challenge that challenges the artists to create an eye-catching black and grey tattoo in just six hours. The twist is that they have to work in pairs and they are only allowed to use one needle. The artists are paired randomly, and some of them struggle with the challenge, while others manage to impress the judges with their creativity and technical skill.

After the flash challenge, the artists move on to the elimination challenge, which is to create a black and grey portrait tattoo of a loved one. The artists are allowed to do some pre-tattooing research to get a better understanding of their clients and their stories. Some of the artists are able to connect emotionally with their clients and create tattoos that truly tell their stories, while others struggle to interpret their clients' requests.

During the elimination challenge, the artists also have to deal with some unexpected setbacks, such as equipment malfunctions and illnesses. Some artists rise to the occasion and overcome these obstacles, while others let these setbacks affect their work.

As the clock ticks down, the artists rush to complete their tattoos, hoping that their hard work and dedication will be enough to keep them in the competition. The judges critique each tattoo, evaluating the artists' technical skill, creativity, and ability to capture the essence of their subjects.

After much deliberation, the judges deliver their verdict, sending one artist home and keeping the others in the competition for another week. The eliminated artist reflects on their experience and what they learned during their time on the show, while the remaining artists prepare for the challenges to come.

Overall, "That's Gonna Leave A Mark" is a tense and emotional episode as the artists are pushed to their limits and forced to confront their own limitations and weaknesses. But it is also a powerful reminder of the transformative power of tattooing, as the artists create tattoos that celebrate love, loss, and the human experience.