Tattoo Artist Portrait: Dot Nine

Distrolution Merch primarily works with people from the music world, but not exclusively! Among our clients, we have many artists from the tattoo world. This is not surprising when you know the often strong connections between the tattoo and music worlds.

During this extremely challenging period for them, following the successive closures of their salons and the impossibility of traveling for guest spots or simply welcoming their clients who usually brave kilometers to come and get inked by them, the Distrolution Merch team decided to highlight their work through weekly portraits.

This week, we meet with Alain, aka DotNine, a tattoo artist based in Bethune (62).

Hello Alain. Can you tell us about your journey in tattooing?
Originally, I'm a computer developer. A little over 4 years ago, I discovered a passion for drawing, particularly dot work, which was the highlight of my style when I started. I was lucky to have a friend (Marc VOID) who helped me understand the basics of drawing, projecting an idea onto paper, and identifying my artistic signature (often the most difficult part). From there, I started self-teaching the art of tattooing on synthetic skins and pig skins. What a delight those first needle strokes were... a memory that's still very vivid.

Later, I met the owner of L&L Tattoo (Laurent Mouchon) who liked my drawings and offered to take me under his wing to train me. So after a few months, I became a part of the tattoo world.

Can you tell us about your signature style, which is easily identifiable, and your graphic influences?
Initially, my style was focused on dotwork (hence my pseudonym Dotnine Art). Then, after about a year, I oriented myself towards a more graphic style with more prominent line work and a sketchier approach. The sketching process was much more natural for me, and I felt much less constrained by the technical limitations inherent to dotwork. My influences in the tattoo world are, to name just the main ones (Inez Janiak, Renata Henriques, l'Oiseau, Kevin Plane, Fredao Oliveira, ...)

And regarding music?
I mainly listen to the black metal scene. Bands like Der Weg einer Freiheit, Solstafir, The Great Old Ones, Forteresse are among my favorite listens. I also really enjoy the more atmospheric black metal scene when I'm working on drawings, like Violet Cold, Unreqvited, ...

During this period when tattoo shops are closed, how are you currently occupying your time?

I work on client projects in advance so as not to be overwhelmed when we reopen. I'm also trying my hand at large format paper drawings with Posca markers and watercolors, but I'm waiting for my work to be good enough in my opinion before publishing on social media. After that, a bit of rest is good too! We have a fantastic job, but we work long hours, and taking a breather is still beneficial.

As someone who's used to working in a salon with other artists, how are you dealing with this forced separation?

Colleagues and the shop atmosphere are certainly missed, but family time is usually what's lacking, so I don't really see it as something negative in the end.

You've already used Distrolution Merch for merchandise and/or communication materials. Can you talk about your experience with us and the reason why you create merch?

I worked with you for the production of t-shirts a year ago, wanting to develop my visibility a bit more, especially during the last convention in Maubeuge, the Malboden. Very satisfied with the result, and my clients were too. It's exhilarating to come across people wearing clothes with a design you created. I'm thinking of repeating the experience soon ;-)

Since we have quite a few musician readers here, do you play an instrument, have a band, or have any background in music? 

I played a bit of guitar when I was younger but never developed it enough!

What's your ideal playlist for working?

It depends on what I'm working on

Mainly Unreqvited and Violet Cold, Solstafir, Wardruna, and Amon Amarth when I'm working on "Viking" projects.

And for more intense stuff, I discovered the hidden pleasure of Anaal Nathrakh.

To wrap up this interview, can we talk about your (future) projects? 

It's difficult to plan ahead in the current context, but I'd really like to experience guest spots once the situation allows.


You can follow Dot Nine's work, discuss a future tattoo project, and maybe even order a t-shirt here, on Instagram and on Facebook.