Tattoos are amazing, but watercolor tattoos make them appealing to anyone’s eyes! The watercolor tattoo, with its superimpositions and chromatic effects, won us over a long time ago, so much that we want to tell you all about it so that you’ll be encouraged to choose it for your tattoo design. Let’s get started! 

What is a watercolor tattoo

At first glance, we can say that the use of color is the hallmark of this style of tattooing, but it isn’t the only one, as the use of different tones also occurs in other styles such as cartoons or new school tattoos.

So what is it that gives the watercolor style its own characteristics that make it unmistakable?

The glazes

In watercolor designs, rather than talking about the use of different tonalities, we should focus on the way in which they are applied. The superimposition of colors with different intensities creates a very subtle sensation of depth and recalls the effect of watercolor on the canvas, hence the name.

Thematic freedom

“Versatile” is the adjective that best defines the watercolor style when we talk about the themes that are usually tattooed, as they adapt perfectly to any idea you may have. You set the desire and the tattoo artist makes it come true.

Color to the power

Although this style tends to opt for soft and delicate tones, the truth is that any tattoo is suitable for this style, always maintaining that watery sensation, blurring its contours, blurring them, and making the tones less opaque. It’s the style that uses the most varied chromatic palette.

The process

Each tattoo is a real challenge for the professional who does it, and in the case of watercolor technique, even more so, as a small variation in the intensity with which a color is applied can completely change the design. Patience, skill, and perseverance are the keys to getting it right.

How to cure a watercolor tattoo

At Smoking Paper we always insist on how important it’s to take proper care of a tattoo to ensure that the healing process is free of infections and wounds and with adequate levels of cleanliness and hydration. 

For many years it has been said that this style of tattooing was more prone to deterioration and that the softness of the colors meant that the color was lost sooner and the design was lost in less time than a traditional tattoo. The current quality of the inks and the perfecting of the technique has managed to avoid this inconvenience and today watercolor tattoos are as durable as any other if we know how to look after them correctly! 😉

Maintenance and care during the healing process are the keys to ensuring that our tattoo lasts longer, especially a watercolor tattoo.

Remember! A tattoo is still an open wound and hygiene is the fundamental tool to avoid infections and improve healing. Clean your tattoo with lukewarm water and neutral soap, without using sponges, at least twice a day and dry it with a soft towel without dragging it, with gentle touches. 

Types of watercolor tattoo

Animals, landscapes, flowers, phrases… There is no theme that can resist the charms of this style. The way it is tattooed allows us to distinguish up to three different styles:

The Colorful

In their design, they only use tones other than black and it’s constructed from superimpositions of bright color. There are no limitations of space or marked areas, which allows us to create very subtle tattoos with a touch of precious delicacy.