Forget black and white tattoos; watercolor tattoos are becoming the actual tattoo standard

Ahead, discover the various interpretations of watercolor tattoos, from small and delicate to bold and bright.

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Vibrant Sleeve

@julesboho.tattoo

Make a sleeve really stand out with the brightest, most saturated colors. Boho opted for lots of rich purples on this floral half-sleeve, with the lifelike blooms surrounded by more abstract, diffused shapes.

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Lifelike Florals

@abii_tattoo

Floral tattoos really shine with the watercolor technique, as it makes them look even more vivid and vibrant but still painterly. “Designs with flowing, organic shapes like flowers, animals, and abstract scenes work especially well with watercolor techniques because they suit the soft, gradient color transitions,” Natural explains.

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Fine Line & Watercolor

@alitattoos

Pair a more delicate fine line piece with brightly colored watercolor elements. We love how this landscape feels both natural and fantastical.

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Art-Inspired

@julesboho.tattoo

A watercolor tattoo is a work of art in itself, but it’s even cooler when an artist pays homage to a famous masterpiece, as Boho did with this “Starry Night” half-sleeve.

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Shoulder Details

@amanda.mypreciousink

This shoulder-hugging floral design is delicately pretty. “Watercolor tattoos are often perceived as more subtle and visually light compared to bold traditional tattoos, making them a popular choice for those looking to express themselves through a more personalized, art-inspired form of tattooing,” Natural shares. 

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Bold Backpiece

@julesboho.tattoo

A classic rose design practically explodes with the addition of watercolor techniques.

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Peach Perfect

If florals and landscapes aren’t your thing, try fruit! This cheeky peach is colorful and adorable.

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Delicate Dandelion

@amanda.mypreciousink

Doesn’t this piece look like it could just float away? “Be aware that watercolor tattoos are a lot of freehand work,” says Boho. “Make sure you can trust your artist one hundred percent.” 

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Meaningful Moment

@inna_nameless

This mother-and-child portrait is infused with diffused primary colors, enhancing its sentimental meaning.

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Cute Kitties

@inna_nameless

Add whimsy to an adorable cartoon-style animal tattoo with an equally cheerful bright color.

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Baby Butterflies

@graffittoo

You don’t have to go big and bold with your watercolor tattoo design. Small, subtle, delicate pieces also shine with the technique.

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Beautiful Birds

@abii_tattoo

Teeny tiny hummingbirds buzz with color and life on the inner arm. This duo is a great example of how micro-realism and watercolor can go hand-in-hand.

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Stenciled Floral

@inna_nameless

Upgrade a simple black floral line tattoo with big, bold strokes of color. This could also easily be added to an existing tattoo to give it new life.

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Color Explosion

@daniel_natural

If you live your life in bold colors, why not translate that to your body ink? This star-encrusted piece by Daniel Natural is an absolute explosion of rainbow hues and shows how vibrant and saturated watercolor tattoos can be.

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Ribcage Design

@alitattoos

Birds are a popular motif for watercolor tattoos because the design conveys motion in the coolest way.

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Minimalist Sleeve

@alitattoos

This full sleeve design is a cool combination of broad black brushstrokes with all the way down the arm with bursts of watercolor, like a deconstructed, minimalist bouquet of flowers.

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Fanciful Illustration

@amanda.mypreciousink

Watercolor tattoos really lend themselves to fantastical, fanciful designs with lots of texture and color, like this sweet design of playful cats surrounded by sky-like color.

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Subtle Colorburst

@alitattoos

The combination of this curved, abstract poppy done in swirls of black ink, with the color incorporated via a watercolor technique, is so stunning. 

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Seeing Red

@alitattoos

While many watercolor tattoos stick to a palette of aquatic blues and pale pastels, the technique also shines with more saturated, dramatic shades, like this rose-and-poppy duo. The thick black stems have a rough edge, as though they’re actual branches with thorns.

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Fox & Flowers