Ep 2. The Game Begins

In Ink Master season 8 episode 2, titled "The Game Begins," the competition heats up as the remaining 17 tattoo artists face off in the first elimination challenge of the season. With $100,000 on the line and the coveted title of Ink Master at stake, the pressure is on for the artists to create their best work yet.

Host Dave Navarro and judges Oliver Peck and Chris Nunez waste no time in testing the competitors' skills, as they assign each artist a different American traditional tattoo to complete in just six hours. From eagles to anchors, the artists must impress the judges with their line work, shading, and overall execution.

As the clock ticks down, tensions rise as some artists struggle to keep up with the pace while others breeze through their designs with ease. Judge Peck even calls one artist's work "the worst tattoo I've seen in 40 years" -- a brutal critique that sets the tone for the rest of the competition.

After the six hours are up, the artists present their tattoos to the judges, and the critiques begin. Some artists excel, earning high praise from the judges for their attention to detail and clean lines. Others fall short, putting too much emphasis on certain elements of the tattoo and neglecting others.

But the true test comes when the judges must determine which two artists performed the worst, and are therefore up for elimination. In a dramatic twist, the judges announce that the two artists will not only face off in a head-to-head tattooing challenge to determine who stays in the competition, but they must also select the style of tattoo they will be working on.

The chosen style is portrait tattoos, a notoriously difficult and technically challenging tattoo style. The two artists must each complete a portrait tattoo in just six hours, with the one deemed by the judges to be the worst forced to pack their bags and go home.

The pressure is on as the artists scramble to find reference photos, sketch out their designs, and make sure they have all the necessary tools and supplies. The judges circulate around the room, offering critiques and advice to help the artists refine their designs and improve their technique.

As the six hours draw to a close, the tension in the room is palpable. The judges study each tattoo closely, evaluating the composition, likeness, and overall execution. Some artists excel, delivering stunning portraits that impress the judges with their attention to detail and artistic flair. Others struggle, falling short in key areas like shading and proportion.

In the end, one artist is sent home, their dreams of becoming Ink Master shattered by the intense competition and fierce talent of their fellow artists. The remaining 16 continue on, eager to prove themselves in the next challenge and inch ever closer to the ultimate prize: the title of Ink Master.