The most popular tattoo styles didn’t just appear out of nowhere: Many traditional tattoo designs are derived from cartoons and pop culture icons, and tribal tattoo patterns can be traced back to prehistoric times.
Recently, artists have been incorporating an unexpected style of body art into their designs: watercolors. While you might think watercolor designs and tattoos don’t go together, take a look at these beautiful designs created by some of the world’s top tattoo artists.
It may seem counterintuitive to blend these two styles that are at opposite ends of the artistic world, but watercolor tattoos are versatile, stunning, and can be designed to last on any skin tone or shade, from dark to fair skin.
Let’s take a look at how tattoo artists discovered the watercolor style and how you can wear these works of art with watercolor tattoo ideas.
Why watercolors?
Watercolor tattoos are definitely trending right now, with many artists adapting the style with their own twists and additions. But before you start looking for your next watercolor style tattoo design, it’s good to know how and why this tattoo trend came about.
Here we will look at a brief history of watercolor tattoos and what makes them unique.
History and origins
Watercolor tattoos are a relatively new phenomenon, but we need to go back a long way in art history to understand where these elements come from.
Watercolor painting is thought to have originated in ancient times, when artists used water-based pigments to create letters, designs and illustrations on substrates such as papyrus. Evidence of watercolor painting techniques has been found from Egypt to Japan, and it evolved as paper and pigment technologies developed.
During the Middle Ages, manuscripts and other religious documents were often decorated with watercolors to add beauty. These designs went hand in hand with stained glass, advanced architecture, and other arts and technologies that emerged during this period. Contrary to the name, the art of the “Dark Ages” was actually full of color.
During the Renaissance, watercolor painting took off as masters of the time sought to perfect the technique. Artists like Da Vinci incorporated watercolor techniques into their sketchbooks, while others recreated landscapes and natural forms with water and paint.
Meanwhile, tattooing has always been considered a secretive and exclusive art form in tribal societies. Surprisingly, watercolor techniques have been introduced into the world of tattooing thanks to innovative artists such as Amanda Wacob, Nick Lucas and Ivan Androsov.
These artists, along with many others, began experimenting with bright colors and faded ink splashes to resemble a watercolor look on the skin. While this technique retained the black outlines and many of the familiar pigments, a new breed of watercolor tattoo artists sought to recreate the essence of the art form while staying true to the ink tradition.
It took hundreds of years for watercolors and tattoos to come together, but the results have been worth the wait: today, watercolor tattoos are one of the most popular tattoo styles, especially when done by top artists with great technical skills and years of experience.
Feature definition
Although watercolor paintings are recognizable at first sight, watercolor tattoos are not so easy to describe. What are the characteristics of watercolor tattoos? What makes them different from other tattoos? Here are some notable features:
The use of black ink is limited, usually only as a contrast between the black outline and the more vibrant colors. Black ink is used sparingly, whereas other tattoo styles (traditional, realism) use more black and gray. Soft, blurry splashes of color are meant to look like water interacting with the paint, with a lighter application and translucent appearance. Different colors are layered with different depths and dimensions. Often multiple colors are layered to create new shades and unique effects. Different design forms are mixed, from traditional to tribal to neo-traditional. Watercolor splashes are usually used to embellish or expand on more familiar designs. Wide and varied color palette not usually seen in more strict tattoo forms. Artists may use 12 or more different colors in one piece.
With these characteristics in mind, watercolor tattoo designs are becoming more and more commonplace, with subtle hints of the style. Many tried-and-true tattoo techniques are starting to incorporate splashes of vibrant watercolors to create fresh, unique tattoos.
21st century tattoo culture is all about blending the best of art, old school tattooing, and general artistic freedom. Watercolors can be the main attraction of your next tattoo or a way to add a little flair to an existing one.
Watercolor tattoo process
You might be intrigued after looking at pictures of watercolor tattoos or the portfolios of your favorite artists. Maybe you have a friend or favorite celebrity who has watercolor tattoos and you’d like to try one yourself.
Whatever your position, it helps to understand the process behind watercolor tattooing and what to expect from the process.
Consulting and Design
As with any tattoo, the process begins with brainstorming ideas with your artist to arrive at a vision that suits your skin and style. Because watercolor tattoos are open to interpretation, you probably won’t choose a design that’s as “out there” as you would with traditional tattoo flash.
Instead, provide your tattoo artist with some reference images and communicate clearly the design you want. The more details you provide your artist, the easier it will be for them to realize your vision.
Be specific about the size, shape and location of your tattoo, as well as the colors you want or don’t want in it. This will help your artist narrow down the color palette and create a tattoo you’ll want to wear for the rest of your life.
Mixing and Applying Colors
Watercolor tattoos, like the paintings that inspired them, require mixing of colors to achieve the best results and originality. The best watercolor tattoo artists don’t just grab the closest red, yellow, and blue inks before starting work, but mix each color precisely and carefully.
You may have to wait a little longer than usual for your tattoo artist to mix the colors and place all the materials, but your patience will be rewarded when you finish a beautiful and original design that no one else on Earth has.
When applying the first color, artists typically start with a light translucent color and then darken and outline it, creating a delicate, intricate painterly look on the skin that builds on itself with each layer.
Don’t be surprised if artists use unusual tools like sponges and brushes in the process of painting with watercolors, which are often used to create the “bleed” effect that makes watercolor painting so special.
Tattooing can take several hours and may require multiple sessions, depending on the area and number of layers needed. During the final stages of application, the artist may add accents such as splatters, dots, or other textures to create a unified look.
Healing and Maintenance
It can take a month or more for a new watercolor tattoo to fully heal, so use aftercare best practices and a repair lotion to keep it healing smoothly. You may notice some peeling or irritation, but try not to scratch it and allow the area to heal naturally.
Taking care of your watercolor tattoos is also important as the fine lines and details can easily fade in the sun. Use a tattoo-specific SPF sunscreen to protect your tattoo from UV rays and avoid prolonged exposure to UV rays.
Watercolor Tattoo Ideas and Inspiration
You know where watercolor tattoos come from and how to get one, but what should you choose for your first (or next) design? Here are some ideas to consider.
Flowers and Animals
Wild animals such as roses, peonies, wolves and eagles are popular choices for tattoos, while watercolor tattoos can also include more exotic animals such as owls, hummingbirds, fish and mythical creatures.
Splashes of color often complement the outlines of bold animal or floral tattoos, so you really can’t go wrong with any of them. Floral tattoos are a timeless classic, but this brushstroke style is especially so.
Geometry and Abstraction
Many watercolor tattoos blaze new trails with geometric shapes and abstract designs. You might find intricate sacred geometry outlines interspersed with color, or designs that are simply blocks of color that blur into one another.
Many watercolor tattoos also incorporate street art styles such as graffiti and mural icons, exploring new artistic territory. You’re not limited to watercolors, so think outside the box and give your artist some creative freedom.
Landscape and Nature
From mountain ranges to tropical islands, landscapes are the perfect background images for a watercolor effect. Get inspired by natural formations and make your design stand out with a splash of vibrant color.
Take care of your watercolor tattoo
There’s a lot to love about watercolor tattoos, including discovering the wide range of styles that work well with the watercolor technique. Take care of your new tattoo with lotion and sunscreen to ensure it looks beautiful for years to come.
source:
Style Guide: Watercolor Tattoos | Tattoodo
The Greatest Watercolor Painters of All Time | Art Context
Art Medium Watercolor | Arthistory.net
Everything you need to know about watercolor tattoos | Inside Out
