Normally the bigger a tattoo is, the more hours it will need so the cost goes up. The same is for adding color to a tattoo. Black and Grey needs less time than a color tattoo so they are cheaper. An important factor also are details. Realism as a style is all about details, you try for make something as real as possible so in order for the artist to make this, needs to take time. In tattooing mistakes cannot be erased and in realism, avoiding mistakes in shades is a key factor for the final outcome.

Remember, you can make your tattoo only once.

So, you better save some money and then you can own the art you deserve for life.