Jamie Campbell Bower spent four hours in make-up covering up his tattoos for 'Mortal Instruments: City of Bones'.

The 24-year-old actor - who plays Jace Wayland in the action adventure fantasy film - admits his addiction to body art forced him to spend hours sat in the cosmetic chair every day while professionals carefully plastered on concealer to hide his inkings when he shot scenes.

He said: ''I'm sitting in there [make-up] for like, five hours, six hours.''

He added: ''It took about four hours to cover up, then to put on the tattoos over the top.''

Bower already has a number of tattoos covering his body - five since he shot the last movie - and is planning on getting even more art done as they mark each of his film projects, which will mean he'll have to spend even more time in the make-up chair for the next sequel.

He explained: ''I quite like having them there underneath the make-up, I like to know I'm still Jamie underneath all that. That's one of the reasons I have them. So I know it's me, wherever I go I know who I am.''

However, 'The Twilight Saga' star admits he's currently in talks with the film's costume designer as he believes changing his alter-egos outfit is a more practical solution.

He said: ''I've got a conversation going on with Gersha [Phillips], our costume designer, so I think it'll be long sleeves from now on.''

'The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones' is in cinemas now.