Watercolour tattoos are one of the most unique and artistic tattoo styles, often resembling paintings on skin rather than traditional ink. However, with their growing popularity, many myths and misconceptions have also surfaced.
As a professional tattoo artist specialising in watercolour tattoos, I frequently hear concerns about their fading, pain levels, cost, and durability. If you’re considering getting one, it’s important to separate fact from fiction so you can make an informed decision.
Let’s break down the biggest myths about watercolour tattoos and uncover the truth behind the rumours.
Myth #1: Do Watercolour Tattoos Require Special Inks?
Many people assume that watercolour tattoos use special ink to achieve their soft, blended look.
✅ Truth: Watercolour tattoos use the same high-quality tattoo inks as any other style.
The difference lies in the technique, not the materials.
Traditional tattoos often have bold outlines and heavy shading, while watercolour tattoos rely on:
✔ Soft colour gradients
✔ Subtle blending techniques
✔ Negative space for a natural flow
It’s the artist’s skill in layering and shading that gives watercolour tattoos their signature fluid, artistic effect, not different ink.
👉 Key point: The longevity of a watercolour tattoos depends more on the artist’s technique and aftercare, rather than the ink itself.
Myth #2: Do Watercolour Tattoos Have No Outlines?
In traditional tattooing, outlines are essential. These dark lines provide structure, guide the eye through the design, and help the tattoo maintain its shape as time goes on. Outlines can make the art pop, especially when using bright colors, and they ensure clarity and longevity of the tattoo.
Watercolour tattoos differ from these traditional rules. The aim of this style is to capture the fluid, organic feel of watercolor paintings, often featuring softer edges and blended shades. Instead of strict outlines, watercolour tattoos evoke a sense of artistry and creativity without the sharp lines typical of traditional tattoos.
That said, watercolour tattoos do use outlines, but in a more subtle way.
Getting a little technical, I personally use coloured fine lines that hide within the watercolour shading effect or black fine lines for clients that like to mix different styles.
Both coloured and black outlines allow the vibrant inks to shine while still providing some structure. Subtle outlines can help separate colours and add depth, improving the overall design.
✅ Truth: While some watercolour tattoos skip traditional black outlines, many artists incorporate subtle outlines to enhance structure and longevity.
There are two main approaches to outlining in watercolour tattoos:
1️⃣ Coloured fine lines that blend seamlessly with the shading, creating a softer look.
2️⃣ Black fine lines for clients who prefer a mix of traditional and watercolour styles.
Why outlines matter:
✔ They provide a stronger structure, helping the tattoo age more gracefully.
✔ They add depth and separation between colours, preventing designs from becoming too blurred over time.
👉 Key point: If you’re considering a watercolour tattoo, discuss outline options with your artist to find the perfect balance of softness and longevity.
Myth #3: Do Watercolour Tattoos Hurt More?
Pain is always a big topic when it comes to tattoos, and watercolour tattoos are no exception. Some people think the softer, more delicate appearance means that the process will be gentler on the skin. Unfortunately, that’s not quite true.
Whether or not a tattoo hurts more depends more on the location, your personal pain tolerance, and the artist’s technique than the style itself. Since watercolour tattoos involve a lot of layering and blending, they may actually take longer to complete, which could result in you sitting through a longer session. However, the pain level is generally comparable to any other colour tattoo.
If you’re someone who doesn’t tolerate pain well, there are some tips to help! Stay hydrated, avoid alcohol and caffeine before your appointment, and make sure you eat something. And remember, it’s always okay to ask for a break during the session if you need it.
✅ Truth: The pain level of a watercolour tattoo is the same as any other tattoo, but the process may take longer.
💡 Why?
Since watercolour tattoos involve multiple layers of colour blending, they can require more time and passes over the same area, which might result in a longer session.
Tattoo pain depends more on:
✔ Placement: Areas like ribs, hands, and feet hurt more.
✔ Pain tolerance: Everyone experiences pain differently.
✔ Artist technique: A skilled artist works efficiently to minimize discomfort.
Tips for managing tattoo pain:
✔ Stay hydrated before your appointment.
✔ Avoid alcohol (it thin the blood).
✔ Eat a good meal beforehand.
✔ Take breaks if needed during the session.
👉 Key point: Watercolour tattoos don’t necessarily hurt more, but they can take longer due to the layering process.
Myth #4: Do Watercolour Tattoos Cost More?
This is a tricky one because the cost of a tattoo depends on many factors: the artist, the size of the piece, the complexity of the design, and the time it takes to complete.
While watercolour tattoos don’t inherently cost more just because they’re watercolour, they do often require more time to create. The detailed layering, blending, and use of negative space that makes watercolour tattoos so striking can take longer than a more traditional tattoo, especially if you want a piece with lots of colours and intricate details. That extra time might increase the price.
Additionally, experienced watercolour tattoo artists who are skilled in creating these delicate designs might charge a premium for their expertise. So while the cost isn’t necessarily higher for watercolour tattoos, it could be higher if you’re paying for the artist’s specialised skill.
✅ Truth: Watercolour tattoos can cost more, but not because of the style itself, it’s due to the time and expertise required.
Factors affecting watercolour tattoo pricing:
✔ Complexity of design: More layering and blending = longer sessions.
✔ Size of the tattoo: Larger pieces take more time.
✔ Experience of the artist: Specialists in watercolour tattoos may charge higher rates for their expertise.
👉 Key point: Watercolour tattoos may be more time-intensive, which can impact the price, but you’re paying for quality and artistry.
Myth #5: Do Watercolour Tattoos Fade Faster?
Ah, the big one. This is probably the most common myth I hear about watercolour tattoos, for more specific information read my blog post "How long watercolour tattoos last".
✅ Truth: All tattoos fade over time, but proper technique and aftercare ensure that watercolour tattoos last just as long as any other style.
💡 What causes tattoos to fade?
❌ Sun exposure – UV rays break down tattoo ink.
❌ Poor aftercare – Skipping proper healing steps leads to premature fading.
❌ Placement – High-friction areas (hands, feet) fade faster.
How to keep your watercolour tattoo vibrant for years:
✔ Follow aftercare instructions carefully.
✔ Use SPF 50 sunscreen to protect against UV rays.
✔ Keep your skin hydrated and moisturised.
✔ Choose an experienced artist who knows how to create long-lasting watercolour tattoos.
💡 Pro Tip: Well-designed watercolour tattoos often incorporate darker tones or black shading to create a strong foundation. Even if lighter colours fade over time, the overall structure of the tattoo remains intact.
👉 Key point: Watercolour tattoos don’t automatically fade faster, proper execution and care make all the difference.
Final Thoughts: Separating Fact from Fiction
When it comes to watercolour tattoos, the two most important factors are choosing a talented artist and taking good care of your ink.
Like any tattoo style, watercolour tattoos require skill, experience, and attention to detail. If you’re thinking about getting one, do your research and find an artist who specialises in the style, someone who understands the techniques needed to make your tattoo last.
And once you’ve got your piece, it’s up to you to keep it looking vibrant.
Good aftercare, sun protection, and regular use of moisturising cream will go a long way toward preserving those beautiful washes of colour.
Got questions? Feel free to reach out, I’m always happy to chat about tattoo care and design ideas!
📩 Ready to book? Fill out the booking form on my website, and let’s start designing your perfect tattoo.
Thanks for reading!
Lavale