STAGE TUBE: Sneak Peek - INK MASTER Coming to SpikeTV Tonight

Spike is looking to get under viewers' skin with the series premiere of INK MASTER the first-ever tattoo competition reality series starting Tuesday, January 17 at 10 PM, ET/PT. Ten of the nation's top tattoo artists from around the country will battle it out in permanent ink for a $100,000 cash prize, an editorial feature in the preeminent tattoo magazine Inked and the title of 'Ink Master.'

"Ink Master" contestants will compete in various tattoo challenges that not only test the artists' technical skills, but also their on-the-spot creativity, where they must create and execute an original tattoo on command. Challenges focus on different tattooing techniques, such as shading, line and proportion, and styles including photorealism, Tribal, American traditional, and pin-up.

The tension and stakes are high in "Ink Master." Every week, the artists face a tough panel made up of series host Dave Navarro, renowned tattoo artists Chris Nunez ("Miami Ink") and Oliver Peck (Elm Street Tattoo). A roster of some of the top names within the tattoo community appear during certain challenges as guest judges, acclaimed artists Scott Campbell and Jack Rudy, Inked magazine creative director Todd Weinberger and celebrity tattoo aficionados NBA player Chris Andersen and Ton Jones ("Auction Hunters"). Of course, they will also have to face the opinions of the people they actually tattoo. These 'human canvases' range from tattoo virgins to connoisseurs with a full sleeve of body art to those who want to cover up a prior tattoo misstep. Satisfying the individual whose skin now bears the artists' handiwork will also be a major element in determining the victor. The masterpieces will last forever, but so will the mistakes.

The "Ink Master" Season One tattoo artists are (listed in alphabetical order):

Al Fliction, 42 - Owner and artist at Bklyn Ink in Brooklyn, NY.

Jeremy Miller, 27 - Owner and artist at Pigment Dermographics and Fine Art in Austin, TX.

Tommy Helm, 38 - Owner and artist at Empire State Studio, Oceanside, NY.

Shane O'Neill, 39 - Owner and artist at Shane O'Neill Tattoo shops in Middleton, DE and Willow Grove, PA.