Watercolor painting is among the oldest known art techniques. The method, which involves using paints that are suspended in a water-based solution, is so old that it may date back to the oldest European cave paintings, and there are still examples from ancient Egypt. In China, a similar form of ink wash painting became popular during the era of Tang Dynasty art. It was popularized in Europe during the Renaissance. People have loved this art form for so long in part because the colors stay so true, and because the medium is so unforgiving — unlike oil painting, where we can paint over and over a mistake until it's gone, watercolor is a one-shot deal. The ethereal, diaphanous quality of the resulting method makes it feel dreamy and beautiful, as well. This is why the style of watercolor tattooing has become so popular in recent years.
Watercolor tattoos also involve mixing sterile water into the tattoo ink. The technique involves creating layers of color, and is fairly complex — for anyone who is interested in getting a watercolor tattoo, make sure to go to an artist who is well-versed in this style, and has examples of good watercolor tattoos that look similar to the design chosen. We are also really into super-tiny tattoos right now — including micro tattoos. Another age-old tattoo technique, hand poke, produces some amazing results with the right artist — we never thought of hand poke tattoos as pretty before, but we have had our eyes opened. We're all for tattoos being meaningful, but we're also fully in favor of a decorative tattoo, and floral tattoos can be both.
Stunning Cherry Blossom Tattoo
How dramatic are these cherry blossoms? As the artist notes, "Watercolor tattoos have surged in popularity over the last few years. When done well it turns you into a walking work of art, literally Just be sure to take good care of it by moisturizing, wearing sunscreen and avoiding exfoliation to the area in the first few months or longer."
'Be Brave' Tattoo
Bravery doesn't have to look stereotypically masculine. In fact, some of the bravest people in the history of the world have been women. So this feminine, cursive "be brave" tattoo feels to us like the absolute truth.
Planetary Watercolor Tattoo
The watercolor style is absolutely the best way to show the planets. The artist's note is super cute: "Deep space, full power ☁️ ," while a commenter says, "I love the beauty and colors you bring into this world."
Watercolor Lilac Tattoo
The watercolor technique can create a sort of impressionistic air to something as literal and beautiful as the lilac flower. These have the real feeling of lilac — we almost expect to be able to smell it!
Stunning Japanese Fish Tattoo
We have seen a lot of variations of tattoos featuring koi with cherry blossoms, but never before with this beautiful watercolor splash in the background. It makes the fish feel simultaneously more artistic and more alive, because the watercolor simulates the feeling of motion.
B&W Watercolor Tattoo
Normally, when we think of a watercolor tattoo, we think of incredibly bright, colorful tats, in everything from neon palettes to delicate, pastel colors. But this beautiful lunar watercolor is only done in black and white — and we think it's incredibly dramatic while still being very subtle.
Beautiful Pisces Tattoo
It makes sense that watercolor would work especially well for a pair for Pisces fishes — they are the ultimate expression of aquatic life, after all, and watercolor is literally made with, well, water. But what's so interesting here is the surprising color palette, with the mottled fish in primarily reds and oranges against the cool blue background.
Graceful Watercolor Poppy Tattoo
How beautiful is this multi-colored poppy tattoo? We associate poppies exclusively with the red tone, but we love that they get to expand into blue and violet here. As one comment translates to, "It's just gorgeous, Seti, I admire your work."
Lovely Tulip Tattoo
What we absolutely love in a tattoo — more than anything, really — is a sense of contrast. The surprisingly hard edges and angular lines of these tulips are so well set off by the beautiful, dripping watercolor. These all came together so beautifully, and the colors play off each other so well.
Stunning Watercolor Feather Tattoo
How incredibly magical does this feather feel? The feather on its own could be incredibly powerful, but we love this one with its rainbow of dripping colors even more — the watercolor technique is so perfectly utilized here to create a sense of dynamism in something that's static.
Neat Harry Potter Tattoo
Any Harry Potter fans out there? This cool Harry Potter tattoo evokes all the magic of the books and films — and the terror of the Deathly Hallows. We also love the delicate use of whitework, which creates little crackles of energy throughout the splashes of color.
Nerdy Tony Stark Tattoo
For anyone who's a fan of Iron Man, this cool watercolor tattoo will hit home: Pepper's gift to Iron Man himself, Tony Stark, that he has a heart. The dripping background of watercolor in blues and grays make the piece feel vibrant and imaginative.
Watercolor Mountain Tattoo
Whether the person with this tattoo is a mountaineer or just loves adventure, she chose to express herself with this cool compass and mountain tattoo. The thick black lines feel really bold, but are tempered by the hazy, dripping watercolor, which softens it.
Neat Harley Quinn Portrait
Harley Quinn, aka Dr. Harleen Frances Quinzel, is the D.C. comics character known for being the Joker's girlfriend — although in the upcoming film, she gets a starring role all her own. The watercolor here helps illuminate how crazy and wonderful she is.
Vintage Biplane Tattoo
We love this image of an old airplane in a city. It reminds us of images from World War I, which this may be referencing — perhaps the recipient's great-grandfather was a fighter pilot? Either way, it's incredibly beautiful, from the unusual khaki green to the bright sky blue of the watercolor.
'Just Run' Tattoo
We love that this tattoo inspires and promotes such a healthy life choice — and does it in a really playful way. As the tattoo artist puts it, "Just Run ♂️ for Jocó who ran his first marathon Congrats and keep going " We hope he does and that this continues to inspire him!
'Little Prince' Watercolor Tattoo
We love that scene in The Little Prince, with the black-and-white illustration of the hat — or is it a snake that has swallowed a whole elephant? The watercolor version is delicate and beautiful, while keeping true to the tone of the original line drawing — and its lovely meaning.
Colorful Parakeet Tattoo
We love the contrast between the parakeet and the explosion of life around it: The bird itself is so still and small, while the rest of the scene is bursting with vibrancy and color. We think that this is a great metaphor for staying cool and collected even in difficult situations.
Watercolor Skull Tattoo
Skulls are normally pretty scary — or at least they're serious memento mori — but this one becomes a little friendlier and cuter with the addition of swirling puffs of hot pink, teal blue, and violet. For some reason, these friendly, Lisa Frank-esque colors really contrast with the skull and wings to make this tattoo approachable.
Amazing Floral Tattoo
A lot of watercolor tattoos use that drippiness we've come to associate with them, but that's not a mandatory element of watercolor tattoos. Instead, this one is an example of how the watercolor technique can be controlled to create a lot of softness and vibrancy.
