‘Ink Master’ Season 8 Spoilers: Who Is On Team Peck And Who Is On Team Nuñez? Full Cast List After Episode 1 [RECAP]

You haven’t seen a season of “Ink Master” like this. Judges Dave Navarro, Oliver Peck and Chris Nuñez are back — but the twist is that Peck and Nuñez are going head-to-head with a team of artists.

Season 8 of the Spike reality series kicks off with 30 artists, the most that the series has ever introduced. However, they’re not all competing for the title of “Ink Master” just yet. Twelve of the artists will be knocked out after a series of flash challenges, leaving only the top 18.

The first challenge is for the contestants to tattoo as many small American Traditional tattoos as they can within five hours. It’s Peck’s specialty, so he wants to see how the group can do with basic fundamentals. He’s calling the shots — and he doesn’t like what he sees. He eliminates four people before the first challenge is even over.

The second challenge focuses on Nuñez’s specialty, which is Japanese. The remaining 26 artists have six hours to tattoo a live geisha model on their canvas, but, unfortunately, Nuñez is not impressed. Four more contestants get sent packing by the end of the challenge, narrowing the group down to 22.

With four more artists than what they need for the competition, Navarro has the group pack their bags and head for the Ink Master shop. It’s there that that Nuñez and Peck start picking teams. The two judges pick their top five, and make the others battle it out for the four remaining spots on their teams.

Team Nuñez

Eric Gonzalez
Nikki Simpson
Sketchylawyer
Kelly Doty
Kevin Laroy

Team Peck

Ryan Ashley
Mike McAskill
Gian Karle
Gia Rose
Nate Beavers

In order to land a place on Team Nuñez or Team Peck, the 12 artists will have a shot to show off their versatility with a style and subject of their choice. But there is a lot more on the line than just a spot on the show. The winner of “Ink Master” Season 8 will also win an all-expense paid guest spot at either Nuñez’ studio in Fort Lauderdale, or Peck’s studio in Dallas.

Some artists bring the heat, but others fall flat. Nuñez adds Tuff Tito, John Collins, Sirvone Smith and Carolyn Elaine to his team. Peck adds Geary Morrill, Dave W., Matt Murray and Boneface to his team.

In the end the two teams are comprised of the artists below:

Team Nuñez