Tough Love Tattoo San Diego

Buddy is an amazing artist! His new shop is phenomenal. Best place to go if you’re not a fan of crowded tattoo shops. The space is fantastic and buddy is down to help with any idea you have!

Buddy is an awesome artist that has perfected his American Traditional style! Super personable and a delight to spend time and talk with. He works quick, professionally, and the results will speak for themselves!Dont hesitate to book with him!!

Where to begin… the tattoos? Flawless. The flash wall art? Immaculate? The charming British accent?? Priceless. What a guy buddy is. I have an entire sleeve done by him and not a day goes by where I don’t get compliments on it. If anyone leaves a review less than 5 stars I hope your next tattoo gets infected.

Ive lived in San Diego for a year now and used to travel to AZ for tattoos because I couldnt find a traditional artist I actually liked. Then I found Buddys artwork, and he is probably one of the best traditional artists in San Diego. He is also very thorough, concise, and very clear about pricing. lve gotten four tattoos by him since February, and Ive always felt comfortable and in good nands when getting tattooed by him. I will mention again that he is FAIR in his pricing..

Raddest shop in San Diego ! Buddy absolutely kills it. The one artist I’ve got multiple pieces from! Good work. Good prices. Solid dude. He ripped thru my back piece in just a couple sessions ! 100/10

The best traditional tattoos you will get in San Diego from the most fun dude. Buddy will go above and beyond to make sure the piece you’re getting is exactly what you want. My left leg is covered in his work and I can’t wait to finish it all up.

The shop is incredibly clean, which made me feel comfortable right away. The artist was not only professional but also very easy to talk to. He took the time to understand exactly what I wanted and executed it perfectly. I highly recommend this shop for anyone looking for a top-notch tattoo experience.---Feel free to adjust any details to better fit your experience!

10/10 experience, would highly recommend to anyone looking to get super clean traditional work. Buddy made it such a comfortable experience and gave great insight and recommendations on size and placement. His line work, attention to detail, and color saturation are what really solidified my experience. I really appreciated that he is so quick while still being so precise with his work; The less time I’m in pain the better. His shop is super cute and everything was very sanitary. Overall impeccable vibes.

TOUGH LOVE TATTOO, is only the most COOLEST SICKEST TRADITIONAL TATTOO SHOP in San Diego California. They have an extremely talented and passionate staff. Their tattoos are high quality and VERY WELL VERSED in the traditional tattoo style! I wanted to personally shout out @BuddyLoveTattoos. It’s been a dream of mine to get a tattoo from Buddy for a year or more now! Maybe the universe will allow me to soon enough! I can’t recommend this shop enough the work really speaks for itself! 😇🙏🏼 FINGERS CROSSED 🤞🏼 my dream comes true!

Visited last week and lemme tell you if you are looking for a clean & professional spot this is the place to go! James is super friendly and knowledgeable of his art & professionHe made me super comfortable with the process and his form of tattooing is super noninvasive. Definitely would come back again! Clean lines, and packed color 10/10 would recommend.

Wow google made me jump through 300 verifications to leave this review so you know it’s important. I need to tell you how talented this dude is, and how he is keeping an American tradition alive! Go get a tattoo, stop by the shop, chat him up, buy some flash, shake his hand, whatever you can do just support this man with your positivity and stuff, he’s talented, shops great, tattoos are unmatched. Period!

Buddy is hands down one of the best tattoo artists in SD. I’ve gotten two tattoos from him now and he is by far one of the chillest and most welcoming dudes I’ve ever gotten work done with. Highly suggest going to him especially if you want traditional work done. Cant say enough good things!

Buddy is one of the best trad artists I’ve seen! I’ve been dying to get work from him ever since I found him through a lot of my favorite pop punk bands and have even seen him at shows after he’s worked with those artists! So excited for his new shop and how much he’ll thrive in San Diego!

Just finished getting some work done by Buddy at Tough Love Tattoo in Sherman Heights, San Diego. The tattoos came out better than I could have hoped for, and the entire experience was great. Buddys shop provided a laid back and relaxed environment perfect for getting tattooed AND having an enjoyable time hanging out.Booking was straightforward and simple and the initial consultation was very thorough and free pretension. Buddy gave his thoughts on what worked and what didn’t, and made it an inclusive process where my ideas were welcomed and considered. Attention to detail and a deep understanding of the craft are clearly present here and I’m thrilled with the tattoos I got - I will definitely be back! Can’t say enough good things about my experience AND the quality of the tattoos.

Came in and got some sick work done by buddy that I absolutely love. He was super friendly and patient with me when deciding where to put the design and made the whole experience really enjoyable. Not to mention my tat came out looking perfect and clean as hell. Will 100% be going back to him for all my tats from now on

As a stickler for cleanliness this shop is a germaphobe’s dream. Clean. Bright. Sterile. All of it.Mix in Smooth dark lines…Everything I love in a tattoo and Buddy nailed it.Definitely will be coming back for more.

Got tattooed by buddy over a year ago and my tattoos still look super fresh! The entire experience was great for me; relatively painless, great conversation, super knowledgeable artist! Definitely coming back!!

Tough Love is a super cool spot to get tattooed at , great location and shop environment . The studio setting is an awesome experience, really client focused without any distractions. Buddy Love has tons of cool flash designs to choose from and is also down to design you something specific . Do yourself a favor and get your next tattoo from Buddy Love at Tough Love Tattoo

I’ve been getting tattooed by Buddy for years, he’s a great artist, professional and customer oriented. I recommend him to anybody. I started with zero tattoos but after I met him I now have a full sleeve by him.

Buddy is the best! Always a pleasure getting tattooed by him! He’s so professional and willing to go above and beyond to make sure you get exactly what you want. Would always recommend

Got my whole leg done by buddy and am so happy with how it has come out. Mine is color but he does black and gray too. Super welcoming space and great vibes at this studio as well! Would recommend calling ahead to make sure he is in since it’s a private studio.

Tough Love Tattoos is amazing! Buddy’s work is impeccable and I love that he’s also just a goofy emo kid at heart like me🖤. 10 out of 10, would recommend getting your next piece here!

Buddy does amazing work. i love that he gets right down to business and honestly is pretty quick! i have 3 pieces from him and love each one! definitely will return and his shop is beautiful 🤩

Buddy is the business. Professional shop, and if youre not sure what to get there is plenty of inspiration kicking about the place. Buddy is super client focused and always looking to see how he can make the tattoo experience as good as possible. I cant recommend this place enough.

James is a talented artist that creates great tattoo’s. Great experience all around with good banter and fast work. 10/10 would get work from him again.

Hands down, one of the best spots to get some work done.Buddy goes out of his way to make you feel comfortable and is incredibly patient. If youre after impeccable craftsmanship and good hangs, look no further!

I’ve been getting tattoos for 10 years. From San Francisco to San Diego and James “Buddy” is such a treat to the tattoo industry. A timeless tattooer that will deliver great customer service! Thank your or sharing your passion with us.

I have been coming to James for over 6 years, and he always provides a personal and professional service, he has a fantastic style that I keep coming back for. The tattoos are of great quality and have remained vibrant over the years!

Buddy is literally the best! Has done my leg sleeve and looks amazing I cannot wait to finish it! He’s always welcoming and creates a good environment listens to what you want .

Honestly the best tattoo shop I’ve found in SoCal by far. Worked to get me exactly what I was looking for, and just really good people all around. Couldn’t be happier with the work and recommend highly enough.

He has done 3 tats on the way of doing my full half sleve. I wish we would have done some of my others! Clean crisp packed full of color and he is fast too! Will post photos when he is done! Im excited for him to hit me up so we can finish.

I love Buddy’s tattoos so much that I keep going back. Three times now. Each one better than the last. Love his British accent too.

Buddy’s work is amazing! I’d absolutely let him tattoo my face if it meant having his work on me

Super clean tattoo shop , great service , super rad flash designs on the walls to choose from ! And Buddy is just the best dude !

Buddy is as good as it gets! He nailed my design and blasted it out much faster than anticipated. 10/10 extremely satisfied!

His tattoos are so great, clean lines, good saturation of color, shops beautiful love the wall colors and flash!!

If you’re looking for the coolest artist every with amazing, calming atmosphere and conversation for your tattoo apt this is the place for you!

Friendly, welcoming amazing experience. Delightful & painless. Love the style, aesthetic & quality. We love Buddy Love

The new shop looks sick and I love how it can be a more personal and low key experience, esp for people with social anxiety like me! Honestly wish more artists had this setup!

This dudes got some of the best tattoos around. Speedy, professional, and bold. Cant ask for a better artist.

To start, the shop is in a perfect location, great ascetic and very clean and organizedBuddy answered all of my questions with honest adviceBooking an appointment before the books get to full and you should too

Buddy rocks!!! Have been tattooed by him several times and am never disappointed

Buddy has done all of the work on both of my arms and he has always nailed all of the ideas Ive had. I love his work and he is so fast and precise.

Great artist!!! Has good original designs. I love the title fight tattoos.

His work is SICK! And he has really great prices for the quality work he provides!

Amazing artist, love the traditional work he does! Highly recommend

Super rad shop plenty of flash on the wall overall such a good vibe

Amazing art done by an even better artist and a beautiful shop to go with it.

Amazing attention to detail, I wish I got all my tattoos here.

Great atmosphere, very helpful via text makes it a comfortable and quick experience

Phenomenal staff! Clean facility. James is amazing. 👏🏼👏🏼

Talented and cute artist. Love the new shop!

Really sick traditional tattoos get made here.

Be a Bud and go get a tattoo from Buddy at Tough Love

Real clean always does amazing work

Sickest Traditional Tattoo shop in San Diego!!

REALLY AWESOME AND COOL! insta: @timothyjones._

Great Experience! Good convo, great work!

Super cool designs and nice people

Great dude sick tattoos

Great tattoos. Great personality

Absolutely obsessed with his work!

Great service, great art!

Great spot for great tattoos

Top-notch work!

Excellent art!

James is the best of the best

Great tattoos

Awesome experience! Can’t wait to make my way down to San Diego again to get another one