The golfer image above is a tattoo that I did about a year and a half ago.
How will watercolor tattoos age? There has been a lot of controversy about watercolor tattoos and how they will hold up over time. There happens to be a group of tattooers, particularly traditional, or neotraditional artists that think that watercolor tattoos are shit. I happen to disagree with them and I will explain why. The main argument is that watercolor tattoos won’t look good as the age because they lack contrast, and the softer colors will fade away. It is true that watercolor tattoos with little to no black, and all soft colors will probably fade much quicker than a traditional tattoo, but here is the kicker… watercolor tattoos can and should use high contrast and a black base. That way if some of the colors begin to fade, there is still a skeleton to the piece and it will still read well as it ages. This can be accomplished by using line work or shading, in key areas to establish the design. (There are some pieces that I did early on, where I did not follow these rules, and looking back, I really wish that I had) This is no different to how a traditional tattoo should be approached. In any tattoo, color is typically the first thing to go, and the black holds the longest, so if you approach a watercolor style tattoo with that knowledge, there is no reason that you can not have a beautiful tattoo that ages well. Another argument is that this style hasn’t been around long enough to determine how it will age. The style has been around long enough to see results a good 5-10 years out. From what I have seen, the tattoos using contrast and that were skillfully applied, look exactly as a tattoo of that age usually does. Solid and beautiful, but slightly lighter than when it was first applied. Another common argument is that the light colors will fade away. That is true in most cases. In the work that I do, I tend to use very bright bold colors, fading out to nearly skin tone. In most cases the lightest colors are the first to fade. I intentionally put the lightest colors where color matters least in the piece, that way if they do begin to fade, it will not hurt the integrity of the design. In fact, in a lot of pieces, slight fading makes the tattoo look even more like a watercolor painting, than when it was first done. So if you decide you want a watercolor tattoo, here is my advise to you: *make sure you go to a tattoo artist who has experience with watercolor tattoos *make sure you check out their portfolio and like what they do (keep in mind, specialty artists may be booked out a while or may not be currently taking new clients) *be open to adding black to your design *to get those nice watercolor blends, there has to be enough room to make those happen, so you may need be be open with the size or placement of your design Here’s how you can keep your tattoo looking fresh: Another key factor in the preservation of watercolor tattoos, or any tattoo for that matter, is protecting it from the sun. Sun exposure can break up pigment in the skin, and cause it to fade more quickly than it would otherwise. Using either clothing to cover your tattoo, or SPF 30 or higher sunblock when exposed to the sun will help keep it looking nice and colorful. Another option, is to get your tattooed touched up. This usually only needs to be done shortly after getting a tattoo in the event that the tattoo needs slight adjustments, or many, many years down the road if it has begun to fade. One last note: I have seen well aged and poorly aged tattoos of all different styles. The skill of the artist, the equipment and pigments used, the size and placement of a tattoo, as well as how the skin was cared for all contribute to how it ages; so, my final advice is to get a tattoo that you love regardless of style, but following basic rules of contrast and size. You can do this by choosing a good artist, being flexible with aspects of your design so your artist can give you the best tattoo that they can. Lastly, you can do your part by taking good care of your tattoo through the healing process as well as protecting it from the sun once you have it. -Deanna Wardin-
31 Comments
paul voss
2/28/2015 04:52:19 pm
Hi Deanna my names Paul i live in Australia ..I've been tattooing fir 4yrs now and ive got some people lately wanting water color tattoos. .I've never done any water çolour tattoos so far so I am a lil nervous about taking on these jobs. Im hoping u would point me in the right direction of where I can find info or if u can ģive me some advice on water color techniques fir tattooing. If b very greatful for any adviceu can give me
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Shelby purdun
8/28/2015 01:58:15 pm
In February of 2013 I was fascinated with the idea of watercolor tattoo. In November of 2014 I got my first watercolor tattoo. Id love to show you the results!! You can email me or find me on instagram!
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DARCY
3/16/2016 07:47:52 am
I would love to see your tattoo.
Jason
12/11/2016 05:26:18 pm
I would like to see how your watercolor tattoo turned out please!
Frankie Lee
6/6/2018 10:46:54 am
Hi Shelby - your Instagram is private- can I send you a follow request to see your tat?
Adam
8/22/2019 02:01:37 pm
Hi Shelby I would love to see pics of fresh and now if your still around 7/12/2015 05:26:38 pm
Hi, everybody! I live in Ukraine, and I have a tattoo on a body 4 years. In our country there are a lot of people with watercolor tattoos, and it fine looks! There is excellent article about watercolor tattoos http://tattoo-journal.com/have-fun-and-watercolor-yourself/
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Henry
7/19/2015 03:19:24 am
Water color tattoos a shit as well as color portrait tattoos or any of variety of styles that aren't meant to be tattooed in the first place. Articles like this one are written by people have no business in the industry as they are just fad riders. Just because something can be done doesn't mean it should be done. Its because of the internet and the monkey see monkey do mentality of people that these shit tattoos have emerged. A tattoo MUST have black, it MUST have an outline, and should look like its done without color, if done properly. People who don't take the time to understand this like the author only serve to ruin the industry by continuing to make these psuedo- tattoos. They belong on canvas and not in the skin. You people have no business in the industry because its you who keep misinforming the public on what is possible and what looks good, just so you can continue to pander your wares and keep the lights on. GET OUT OF OUR INDUSTRY!
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Deanna
7/19/2015 05:26:13 am
I agree with you about the color portraits, putting color over gray washes looks terrible almost immediately, but apparently you didn't notice that the arrticle I wrote is about using black and plenty of it when doing watercolor tattoos, and I clearly stated that the lightest colors will fade first. (I forgot to mention that they need to be tattooed opaquely, watered down versions will not hold up.) You are entitled to your opinion, and no I will not get out of this industry, I've been in it over a decade and I assure you, not because I'm riding a fad. I think your terrible attitude and lack of comradery should get out of the industry instead. I work with a traditional artist and a black and grey portrait artist, and we all see eye to eye, at least on most things.
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Jake
6/14/2016 04:02:02 am
You probably wont see this since this comment is so old but your response is spot on. Fuck that guys attitude. As someone with multiple tattoo's if I'd have seen an artist speak to another that way they'd immediately be a no go for me. The whole notion of "styles that aren't meant to be tattooed" is ridiculous. There's no rulebook on tattooing. There's definitely good practices to follow, but artists are pushing the boundaries further with what is possible and what works and people like him are just stuck in the old ways. He probably can only manage American Traditional and probably not at a high level, he seems scared of actual artists doing quality work.
Denise
8/2/2015 01:12:19 am
Henry - As a consumer & potential customer, I strongly disagree with you. I hope you would agree that tattooing is an art form. As with any art, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have said for 10 yrs that I want a tattoo but could not commit because I could not find a design that did not look too harsh with all the black outlines. Nothing struck me as truly beautiful, such that I would want it on my body for the rest of my life. After stumbling across some pics of this watercolor technique I now know exactly what I want. Now I just need to find a tattoo ARTIST who can put my vision on my skin. If my new business helps a business owner " keep the lights on" - I'm glad I can help. After all, isn't entreprenuership and self expression what this country is all about?
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Chris
3/25/2016 08:51:00 am
Hey Henry....shut up and fuck you...
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C
4/20/2016 10:53:13 am
You dare judge what "is" and what is "not"? Based on your tantrum i guess you are a desperate tattoo artist that clings to the past and threatened by a new style of tattoo.
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2/13/2018 12:20:43 am
Tattoos without black lines..? Like those of school grayshade
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Reni
7/18/2018 11:18:54 am
Watercolor art goes on watercolor paper not on canvas btw 😬
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Tony
7/30/2015 12:46:14 am
Wow that guy sounds like a jerk. Also can you recommend anyone in NYC who I look into getting something in this style done by?
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Lo
8/6/2015 04:08:20 pm
Tony--check out Gene Coffey. He's in NY and just recently moved to Long Island to open his own shop. He's going to start taking appointments 8/1/15 for Sept-Nov, according to his website. Check out his stuff if you're interested--but he specializes in watercolor style. :)
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Anika
9/12/2015 09:38:56 pm
This is a long shot, but does anyone know of a tattoo artist that does watercolor tattoos in the Lancaster PA area? I'm sure there's plenty in Philly (suggestions welcome) but I'd hope for something closer if thats possible :)
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alicia
11/12/2015 10:26:06 am
Jaime Corcaran at Gypsy Moon. She is booked pretty far into feb 2016 though. Find her on facebook Gypsy Moon Custom Tattoo
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Paige
9/21/2015 09:37:21 am
Hi, my name is paige and I've been thinking about the tattoo I want for a couple years now. I want to have a splatter paint looking rainbow colors as an underboob tattoo with COEXIST in black ink on top of it. One of my concerns Is how it will hold up and where would be a goo place to. I'm 17 and live in Louisville KY so I don't have any experience on good places to go or how this works. Does anyone have any tips for me or can point me in the right direction?
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Jay
1/9/2016 08:04:51 am
Hi there! I really liked this article, as I have been considering getting a watercolor tattoo for a while. However, someone recently told me that they don't age well, so I became a bit worried.
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Amanda Lemmon
2/28/2016 04:07:25 am
Hello I have been wanting a tattoo for years but I could never find one that I loved and wanted to have on me forever until I saw watercolor tattoos now I know what I want and am very excited. I am looking for an artist in the Columbia SC area if you have any suggestions. Thanks
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Chris
3/25/2016 08:52:14 am
This Henry is a jerk...loser...shut up and fuck you
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Kennedy Sawyer
3/26/2016 02:17:32 am
I am considering a dreamcatcher watercolor tattoo, and was wondering if anyone had a good place in MN/WI to go for watercolor tattoos? And if you guys might give me placement ideas for a large piece of watercolor art that will be least likely exposed to the sun?
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streem26
5/13/2016 04:17:28 am
I love watercolor tattoos and have been researching artists to find the right one for a piece on my bare left calf. They’re so pretty http://tattoo-journal.com/have-fun-and-watercolor-yourself/! I’m a girly-girl and love floral, pin-ups, gems, hearts, birds, bows… look bomb,
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Kimma
8/8/2016 11:51:16 pm
To everyone asking how to find a good watercolor artist, I recommend going to Instagram and typing in hashtags which suit your search. I did #SFtattoo, #bayareatattooartist, etc, until I happened across Mez - who Deanna happens to work with and who I am currently talking to about the beginnings of a sleeve (although I happened across this article in a totally unconnected way, I just happen to be local to the author). You will likely see a lot of crappy ink on IG, but I find hashtags are a great way to see examples of people by location, and you can scan for style pretty effectively. When something grabs your eye you already know they are local to you and a potential artist for whatever you have in mind--I cannot tell you how many Eastern European artists I am following with a heavy heart, knowing they are unlikely to add to my skin.
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Daryna
10/3/2016 11:35:13 am
I really love these watercolor origami birds http://findtattoodesign.net/ideas/1332-watercolor-origami-birds. Thanks to your article I finally decided to get it!
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Deanna Wardin
I am a Tattoo Artist, Illustrator, Sculptor and Painter based in San Francisco, California. Categories
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