47 Gorgeous Looking Watercolor Tattoo Ideas

A watercolor tattoo is one of the most beautiful ones you will ever get. Don't you agree? Made by carefully blending different shades of colors, it becomes a true classic right now. A watercolor tattooing style has always been popular in the art, so there's nothing strange for it to be popular in a tattoo industry. Looking truly different from all the tattoo techniques we are all used to, it captures the attention of everyone who will see it. Any body part you want to perfect with such a masterpiece will look gorgeous. Good care during the healing process and your watercolor tattoo will look bomb. Are you curious about the tattoo ideas we have for you? Then check out our top watercolor tattoo designs for any body part.

What Are Watercolor Tattoos?

For a watercolor tattoo, you may expect your tattoo artist to use similar tools they use for other tattoo types, such as standard colorful as well as black and gray tats. Yet, the coloring and shading techniques are quite different. The colors used for a regular tattoo are even and plain. They are applied to the body so that they create a solid image that usually has defined borders and outlines.

When it is a watercolor tat, the colors are blended with a more gradual transition, which makes it look like it is an actual watercolor painting. It does not feature any harsh lines so you cannot see any borders. In the modern tattoo space, tattooists incorporate both regular and watercolor techniques to deliver the most unique and unusual inked images to their clients.

Ask an expert: How to keep watercolor tattoos vibrant over time?

Lika Isaeva

Expertise: Tattoo Expert

The brightness of watercolor tattoos, like any tattoo, can be preserved in only one way: the use of SPF 50. When the skin tans, it acquires a yellow tint. Accordingly, for the pigment that is under the upper layer of the skin, the tan acts as a photofilter. For example, if you have a blue tattoo, when you tan, it will acquire a more yellow shade. That is, as a result, you will have a turquoise tattoo, not a blue one. Therefore, if you want to preserve the shade and richness of the tattoo, use SPF 50 in the warm season.

How Is A Watercolor Tattoo Done?

by @minitattoo_studio

The watercolor tattoo technique got its name for good reason. The final result you get with it looks like the image was applied with watercolors. To achieve such an effect, your tattooer should specialize in this method of tattooing.

As a rule of thumb, you do not use dark colors and noticeable borders. The tattooist applies the ink so that the color builds up. To achieve the desired effect, they add water to the ink, which makes it look lighter and more transparent. They should work pretty fast to apply the ink with minimal pressure.

However, it is still very much permanent, which means that the artist will not be able to alter the image as soon as it is applied. That is why they should plan beforehand how they are going to create all the transitions, splashes and fading. So, make sure to do some research before booking a tattoo appointment.

Does A Watercolor Tattoo Age Well?

by @eunyutattoo

There is a common belief that a watercolor tattoo does not age well. But it is nothing more than a myth. In fact, no matter the technique used to create a tattoo, it can age well or poorly. This depends on various factors. One of the most contributing ones is human physiology. The thing is our cells, namely macrophages, treat the ink as a foreign object, thus trying to get rid of it. So, regardless of the ink used, you can get a faded or blurry tattoo with time.

So that it will not happen, you need to follow the aftercare recommendations your tattoo artist gives you. This usually includes moisturizing your skin, keeping it protected from the sun and avoiding picking at and rubbing the image, especially before it heals completely.

How To Delay Watercolor Tattoo Fading

by @tattooist_sigak

If you want to make the most out of your tattoo, you should follow certain rules. This is especially true for watercolor tattoos, as they are very delicate and light. For this reason, take care to do the following:

• Find a tattoo artist who knows what they are doing.

Watercolor tattoos require specific skills to create the desired image. That is why it is important to find an experienced tattoo artist specializing in this exact tattoo technique. This is not what you should skimp on. Choosing a tattooist who lacks practice in watercolor tattooing may end up in a faded or even distorted image, which is hardly what you want.

• Protect your tattoo from UV rays.

Regardless of the kind of your tattoo, you should never expose it to sunlight. If you fail to follow this rule, it may result in a faded image, be it a black and gray, a colorful or a watercolor tattoo. To prevent that from happening, avoid being in the sun as much as possible. In case you cannot keep away from the sun, apply a generous amount of sunscreen that has SPF over 30 and contains zinc oxide.

• Do not rub your tattoo.

Rubbing is one of the most common causes of tattoo fading. Some body areas are more likely to get touched by your clothes or shoes, such as the top of the feet or the bottoms. That is why they are not the best places for a watercolor tat. Consider the parts that are not affected by rubbing.

• Keep your tattoo moisturized.

If your skin in the tattoo area gets dry, wrinkled or sagged, the image is going to lose its initial appearance. As a preventive measure, you need to apply a moisturizing lotion to the tattooed area. It is recommended to choose products that do not contain fragrance and can be used on sensitive skin.

Jellyfish Tattoo

Jellyfish is mesmerizingly beautiful, though it can be pretty dangerous. When combined with a skillful hand, like that of Eunyu, a popular Korean watercolor artist, it acquires new shades and thrives in them. Moreover, jellyfish are one of those creatures that don’t force anything – they go with the flow, and the water takes them exactly where they have to be. There’s much to learn from these mysterious creatures.

Watercolor Feather

A feather tattoo is a popular choice for many, and there is more than one reason why. This masterpiece that has come from under the fingertips of talented Amanda Remmington is breathtaking in its vibrancy and ethereal feel. However, feathers are also powerful symbols that stand for freedom, courage, and wisdom.

Favorite Landscape

We all have one special place of power, but at times, it is hard to visit it, so etching it in your skin and carrying it around with you is a wonderful idea. A popular watercolor artist from Seol – Sigak – has created this stunning landscape that borders between the Earth and the cosmos. Use it as your inspiration and create a picture that means a lot to you personally.

Ask an expert: What aftercare tips preserve watercolor tattoo beauty and longevity?

Lika Isaeva

Expertise: Tattoo Expert

Long before your tattoo session, maintain a healthy lifestyle and ensure you drink plenty of water. This will aid in the tattoo application process and promote proper healing. Select a tattoo artist who is knowledgeable in color theory and can choose the ideal tattoo color for your skin tone. Take responsibility for the healing process of your tattoo. Opt for a specialized protective film for the healing method, and after removing it on the fourth day, apply healing cream to the tattoo. When tanning, remember to use SPF 50 sunscreen on your tattoo to preserve its color and vibrancy.

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Sleeping Pet

There’s nothing wrong with loving your pet to the point of inking it in your skin. On the contrary, our pets serve as endless sources of inspiration and unique tattoo designs. This sleeping kitty in lavender bushes is exceptionally cute, alluring, and heartwarming.

Cosmic Bracelet

Your tattoo can become your permanent jewelry. A cosmic bracelet is a perfect tribute to the vastness of the universe as well as an ideal opportunity to capture your favorite landscape. This tattoo piece made by Koray Karagozler, a Berlin tattoo artist who works in abstract and watercolor styles, proves that your special place can become your individual talisman that you can carry through life.

Playful Companion

Cats are free-spirited and adventurous creatures. If you feel connected to the independent nature of the cat, you can reflect it through themed art. To add a more personal touch to the design, you can pick your favorite pet as the source of inspiration for the ink.

Ask an expert: What advice for first-time watercolor tattoo clients?

Lika Isaeva

Expertise: Tattoo Expert

Watercolor style isn't easy to execute. To ensure a successful watercolor tattoo, choose a master who hand-draws watercolor sketches. Be sure to review healed tattoos in their portfolio to gauge how your watercolor tattoo will look in the future. If you're uncertain about getting a watercolor tattoo, I recommend starting with a transfer tattoo and wearing it for a while. This way, you can decide if you'll grow tired of a colored tattoo over time.

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Double Exposure Bear

The beauty of double-exposure art lies in its versatility of meanings and designs. If you seek courage and strength topped with the ultimate enigma of the universe, a double-exposure bear is an excellent choice.

Geometric Space

The match of mathematical precision and the mystery of space results in a breathtaking art piece. If you crave a visually striking piece topped with a profound connotation, this is a worthy idea to inspire from.

Female Portrait

Feminine gracefulness is an excellent source of awe and inspiration. You can use artistic images or refer to your loved ones to create an individual design. This female portrait from Andrey Lukownikov, a Polish tattoo artist known for his unique double exposure designs, provokes thought and captures attention.

Deer With Geometric Elements

Did you know that a deer is a symbol of elegance and gentleness? Moreover, it is also a spiritual guide and embodiment of independence. When paired with watercolor style and geometric patterns, it acquires yet another meaning – it signifies the precision and harmony of everything in life.

Watercolor Dragon

Dragons are powerful mythical creatures that captivate with their otherworldly beauty and deep symbolism. A watercolor dragon tattoo is twice as mesmerizing because of its dynamic coloring and pulsing energy. This ethereal masterpiece has come from under the skillful hands of Glaminati tattoo expert Deborah Genchi, the founder of the Debrart Tattoos Studio in Bari, Italy. You can use it to create your own legendary totem.

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Midnight Surfer

You can conquer the ocean and tame the night if you have enough courage and will. A lone surfer against the midnight sky circled in a geometrical outline spreads both dynamics and tranquility. The design is a timeless ode to adventures and freedom.

Step Into the Galaxy

Step out of the routine and gaze into a fantasy world every time you look at your majestic galaxy tattoo. The skillful interplay of light and shadow, color and outline, reflects a free spirit and a creative nature.

Yin and Yang Koi Fish

Ying and Yang is a timeless sign of worldly harmony and balance. Paired with koi fish, the design acquires a sense of determination and fluidity. Soft watercolors complete the visual symphony and transform this striking dance into a mesmerizing unity.

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The Splash of the Fantasy

Books are an infinite source of new emotions, bonds, and discoveries. If you are a devout bookworm, you can etch your passion in your skin in a creative yet quite easy-to-grasp manner. An open book with an outburst of fantasy is a wonderful choice!

Cherry Blossom Dear Silhouette

Deer is a perfect representative of nature’s grace, especially when it comes to wildlife. Pairing the deer outline with delicate cherry blossom petals and bright pink hues can complement your optimistic worldview and poetic nature.

Floral Design

Watercolor blooms captivate with their softness and gentle vibrancy. The utmost delicacy of flowers serves as a timeless ode to nature’s beauty and perfection. Choose your favorite flowers to make a bouquet that is both exceptionally gorgeous and meaningful.

Leg Turtle with Accent Colors

Did you know that turtles represent perseverance and strength? While these thoughtful creatures can deal with a lot, they never give up on their initial intent, no matter what it may be. That is why a watercolor turtle tat is considered a powerful motivation and an exceptionally stunning design.

Thigh Roses

Watercolor roses vibrate with elegance and majestic appeal. The gentleness of this floral elegance reflects your femininity and artistic soul, matched with a subtle hint of hidden danger and readiness to stand for yourself and those you care for.

Delicate Flower Tattoo

If you don’t want your favorite flower ever to fade, the best way is to etch it into your skin. A skilled artist will replicate the beauty and fragility of the flower so that you can enjoy it to the fullest. Besides, you can entitle the design with a unique and personal meaning that will drive you forward and inspire you throughout life.

Fox with Geometric Accents

Not everyone knows, but foxes are cunning and intelligent creatures, not to mention their vibrant beauty and impressive adaptability. If you feel a spiritual bond with the animal, you can ink it in your skin, adorning the design with geometrical patterns and a watercolor palette. The outcome is more than impressive.

Cosmic Travelling

It is easy to travel out of this realm if you have an active imagination and like to read. Memorize your love for books and thirst for other worlds and space adventures in a fantastic cosmic tattoo adorned with bright watercolors, unknown planets, and glowing stars.

Dream Catcher Tattoo Design

Native Americans used dreamcatchers as an original protective amulet. According to the beliefs of Ojibwa Chippewa, a dreamcatcher lets only the good dreams in and filters bad ones out. You can decorate your personal dream catcher tattoo with various details like beads, flowers, feathers, and more. Besides, a dreamcatcher tat ensures that your amulet travels with you no matter the destination.

Side Body Peonies

Watercolor is the style that makes any design look realistic and beautiful, especially when it comes to floral patterns. Peonies are not only exquisitely gorgeous flowers. They stand for cherished femininity, compassion, and good fortune. If you choose peonies as your totem flower, etching them along the side of your body will embrace the natural curves of your boy, emphasizing your uniqueness, beauty, and elegance.

Bright Chameleon

Chameleons are amazing creatures. They are intuitive and incredibly flexible. They can blend in no matter the surroundings, and the trait is nothing but inspiring. If you want to boost your clairvoyance and the ability to fit in anywhere you want, a bright chameleon tattoo may be the final push in the right direction.

Lily Flowers

Lilies are the flowers of innocence, purity, and rebirth. Whether you need a fresh start or want to cherish a Lily in your life, such a gorgeous design is more than a worthy tribute to the cause.

Underbreast Cherry Blossom

There is something exceptionally intimate and captivating about underbreast ink. The way a well-chosen design wraps around the natural curves of a female body is breathtaking and all-encompassing. If you want to stress the fleeting nature of life and everything in it, a cherry blossom tattoo will remind you of the incredible value of every single moment. The placement will hide the tattoo from the prying eyes so that deep symbolism remains pure and untainted.

Sternum Geometric Portal

The inner and outer you can be two different personalities. A sternum tat shaped as a portal to another dimension indicates that there’s more to you than lies on the surface, and only the chosen ones get to see the genuine beauty.

Watercolor Lotus Flower

Lotus is one of the well-known symbols of resilience and rebirth. However, not everyone realizes that this gorgeous flower grows from mud, which makes you think about the unexpected sources of purity and beauty.

Minimalistic Moon

The moon is an enigmatic celestial body that has been attracting people throughout the centuries, and for a good reason. The moon is a guiding light that will guide you through the night. That is why it is a good reminder to trust in your intuition and always remember that it is the darkest before the dawn.

Cartoon Elephant

It is never a waste to give in to your inner child and let it peek through your mature personality. A cartoon elephant is an adorable tribute to vivid imagination and innate playfulness.

Belly Flowers

Your body is a temple. A female body is the fountain of life, and you can celebrate that fact with a gorgeous belly flower tattoo. Choose the flower that you identify yourself with and let it express all the hidden thoughts as well as motivate you.

Mermaid Scales

Every lady is a mythical siren. Let your mythical nature peak through your skin – adorn your body with stunning watercolor mermaid scales!

Tiny Wrist Design with a Cat and Moon

The tiniest tattoo can bear the most profound meaning. Choose the design that resonates with your soul, and don’t feel obliged to explain or encode the message that hides within.

A Whale Tattoo

Wales are purely magnetic and majestic creatures. They are known for their power as well as their wisdom. If you feel that you are in search of a spiritual guide, a whale tattoo can become that final pointer that will direct you on the right path.

Pet Portrait

Don’t let your pet ever age, at least etched in your skin. No matter how many years pass, they will always remain a little kitty to you!

Galactic Nine Tail

Kitsune, or a fox with nine tails, is a symbol of peace, prosperity, and good fortune. A galactic nine-tail brings mystery and color to the design, making it twice as captivating and easy to spot.

Hided Watercolor Tattoo Ideas

Do you prefer color tattoos but don't want to risk having a big one for now? Great, then these tiny options are for you. Super tender and delicate, they will be perfect to show through dreaminess and beauty. Little accurate flowers with small details can be slightly visible but really attractive at the same time. A great choice that will show how special you are. Bright or pastel colors to fill in the watercolor are up to you.

Tiny Watercolor Tattoo Ideas

FAQ: Watercolor Tattoos

As you can see, watercolor tattoo are really good choice for those who wants to show their personality. Huge variety of designs and colors that you can combine in any ways will help you to find your own style.

• Watercolor tattoos are a trendy style of tattoo, making for vibrant body art. Source