Annual International London Tattoo Convention

From skulls and crossbones to Hello Kitty, tattoo artists - and their human sketchpads - arrive in Britain for the fifth annual International London Tattoo Convention.

Gathering at the Victoria Tobacco Dock in the heart of the city, the convention is the No. 1 alternative event of the year. For three days more than 200 tattoo artists from around the globe demonstrate their skills. Exhibitions, live music and burlesque performances help fill out the roster of events.

Rie Gomita, pictured above, made the trek from Japan to show off her epidermal canvas.