Clacton artist who met Tom Cruise on industry apprenticeships and more

Wilf Elliot, 21, from near Holland-on-Sea, has a growing list of celeb fans.

He rents a space at the Loveless Tattoo Lounge in Ardleigh.

But Wilf – who is colour-blind – also does charcoal drawings and has gained recognition from the likes of former Real Madrid footballer Gareth Bale, rapper AJ Tracey, Eurovision star Sam Ryder, YouTuber Joe Weller, singer Zara Larsson, and A-list actor Tom Cruise who personally requested to meet Wilf last month.

A star-struck Wilf shook hands with him five times and said it was “just absolutely ridiculous” the Mission Impossible and Top Gun actor knew about him and his work.

Apprentice - Wilf Elliot as an apprentice in 2021 (Image: Submitted) Art was one of Wilf’s favourite subjects at school but decided to study triple sport at Clacton County High School in a bid to get into golf coaching.

At the time playing golf for the county was Wilf’s ambition in life.

"That was my main priority, but due to covid lockdowns this meant I could not play which is where the art side of things came back," he explained.

“I improved my skills pretty quickly. In terms of the portrait development, the first couple of months started with colour.

"I then moved to black and grey to develop the realistic side of portraits.”

Another development for Wilf was his use of social media, which he has used to his advantage.

“If it was not for social media, I definitely would not be at the place I am, with bookings for tattooing and for reaching out to celebs," he said.

“Instead of getting 100 new followers, I would rather have 100 people see my work and share it - that’s my priority."

Talented - Wilf Elliot in 2024 (Image: Submitted) Wilf worked as a lifeguard in St Oysth while he was in the sixth form.

He continued working as a lifeguard one day a week which paid for his train fares to Colchester for his apprenticeship.

The apprenticeship started in April 2021 when Wilf turned 18.

Wilf said he had to “weigh up his options” for the unpaid apprenticeship, which involved reception work, then shadowing full-time artists, and also learning to do tattoos on fake skin - a material like rubber.

Wilf progressed quickly, ending his apprenticeship in mid October that year.

He explained; “You’re not paid for a tattoo apprenticeship - it’s more work experience.

“Looking back at it, I wouldn’t change a thing.

"But when you look at people who went through it and then what I did, which was for six months, I feel lucky that’s how quickly I progressed.”

Wilf said he loved working at Monumental Studios, in Colchester, for his apprenticeship, but wanted to branch out and is now self-employed at Ardleigh's Loveless Tattoo Lounge.

Moment - Wilf Elliot meeting Tom Cruise in October (Image: Submitted) Wilf added: “Without the clientele that I have had and my close friends, I would not have been able to reach out to some of the people

“Because of my tattooing I have made so many links for my art, and they then know so many different contacts.

“Without the tattooing and meeting people day to day, I would not be in such a successful place as I am now.”