Watercolor tattoo: 100 photos of the best tattoo artists of this style in Brazil

Tattoo art is accompanied by different factors such as line, shape and color. These factors help to differentiate and, in a way, customize a design to the taste of a particular person, making the tattoo lighter, heavier, simple or elaborate.

One of the filling techniques that have been gaining space among tattoo admirers is the watercolor effect, due to its unique and fluid result.

“The watercolor tattoo is a reproduction of effects such as light stains, splatters, fusion of colors to suggest an image.”, explains the tattoo artist specializing in the technique, Victor Octaviano. In addition to giving life to the drawings through color, the watercolor also gives the possibility to create movement and fluidity in the lines.

Learn more about the technique, see tips from tattoo artist Victor Octaviano on the subject and check out ideas and inspirations to adopt the effect on your tattoo.

10 tattoo ideas that look beautiful with the technique

See some suggestions for designs that look beautiful with watercolor fill and get ideas for your tattoo.

1. birds

The bird tattoo is an option to gain a watercolor coverage, after all this tattoo is linked to freedom and the watercolor effect can help to reinforce this idea, giving more movement and fluidity to the drawing.

2. Feathers and dream catchers

Feather or dream catcher tattoos are also drawings accompanied by movement and a certain lightness. With that in mind, filling your tattoo with the watercolor technique can be a good way to achieve a light and well-finished tattoo.

3. Geometric

Unlike tattoos related to freedom and fluidity, geometric tattoos combine with the watercolor effect precisely because they establish a contrast between the line and the filling, the result is a balanced tattoo that combines “the best of both worlds”.

4. Wild animals

Again, the contrast effect is a way of highlighting and achieving balance in the final tattoo result. In this case, the combination is not in the stroke, but in the applied design. Wild animals like deer, elephants and lions look great filled in watercolor, gaining a touch of color and subtlety.

5. Music

Returning to the most delicate ideas, music-related tattoos combine very well with the watercolor technique, as movement and lightness are present both in the theme and in the filling style.

6. Lotus flower

Linked to spiritual meanings, the lotus flower is also a good choice when it comes to watercolor tattoos. The flower design in detail added to the colorful touch of watercolor can make for charming tattoos.

7. Balloons

In the case of balloon tattoos (hot air or bladder type), the issue is, once again, fluidity and freedom. Drawings connected to the air (feathers, balloons, birds, butterflies, dandelions) will always be good options for watercolors, as the effect reinforces the idea of ​​movement already present in the drawing.

8. Marine elements

As in the drawings linked to the air element, the marine elements also speak very well with the watercolor filling, so waves, boats, shells and fish are some tattoo ideas to bet on the watercolor style.

9. Maps

Map tattoos are, in most cases, the idea of ​​traveling and seeing the world. Thinking about it, the idea of ​​freedom is inserted and the fluidity of the watercolor effect can help to create a well-finished tattoo. Also, because this is a tattoo usually done in outline only, adding some “splatters” of color can be a good idea to personalize your tattoo.

10. Portraits and characters

Moving on to a more realistic side, the watercolor effect also works very well in the creation of character or portrait tattoos, as they add a touch of lightness to the drawing and at the same time make it more impactful, when working with shadows and color combinations.

20 tattoo artists of this technique to follow on Instagram

Check out a selection of artists who work with watercolor tattoos and create eye-popping designs for you to follow on Instagram and get inspired.

Is there a difference between the watercolor filling over the common one?

According to the tattoo artist, the difference between the effect and the “traditional” filling is in the way of drawing and not in the technique of the tattoo.

“There is no difference when applying the tattoo, the procedure is the same and, contrary to what some people may think, the ink is not diluted to achieve the watercolor effects, the only difference is the style of drawing.” , explains Victor.

Despite this, it is important to always remember that the choice of professional is important, as it directly contributes to the final result of your tattoo, so it is worth looking for references and choosing a specialized tattoo artist who has a trait similar to what you want.

In the case of watercolor tattoos, it is important that the tattoo artist knows how to deal with the style and knows something about color theory, after all, watercolor stains and touches are much more freely created than reproduced from a model.

Watercolor tattoos to inspire you

Get inspired by the selected images with the help of those who understand the subject, the people at Tattoo2me. They are copyright photos, of incredible watercolor tattoos and of different styles.