You know those trends that just sneak up on you and then suddenly you see them everywhere? That’s how I feel about watercolor tattoos, and I am not mad about it!
They have this dreamy, blended look that is just so gorgeous. It’s like taking a classic tattoo idea and giving it a completely fresh and artistic spin.
Because you guys are always asking for inspiration, I thought it would be fun to round up some of the best watercolor tattoo ideas I’ve seen lately.
1. Watercolor Heart
Source: pinterest.com
I’m so into this little watercolor heart. It’s such a sweet concept where the pink could be for you and the blue could represent him. Just a super cute and meaningful idea!
2. Beautiful Tree Tattoo
Source: pinterest.com
One thing to keep in mind with watercolor tattoos is how they’ll age. Over time they are going to fade, which will make the lines less defined, and these pieces already have a lack of definition.
You’ll need some upkeep, like using creams and getting the odd touch-up, to keep them looking this amazing.
3. World Map Back Tattoo
Source: @yelizozcan_tattooart
If you’re a big traveler, what could be a better way to show off that passion? This world map watercolor tattoo is just perfect for it.
4. Watercolor Flower Tattoo
Source: @javiwolfink
This beautiful pop of color is absolutely one of the reasons I think watercolor tattoo ideas are such a fantastic choice! It just makes the design so vibrant.
5. Brush Strokes Rib Tattoo
Source: @georgiagreynyc
If you have a serious passion for art and design, this brush strokes rib tattoo is just genius. I love that you could swap out those colors for any that have special meaning to you.
Maybe your favorite color mixed with the favorites of your kids? It’s a great piece that you can totally add to over the years.
6. Harry Potter Watercolor Tattoo
Source: @littlemissjesstattoos
For any big Harry Potter fans out there, this amazing and super well-designed watercolor tattoo is a total winning combination! I am obsessed.
7. Peter Pan Rib Tattoo
Source: @fervescentattoo
You can totally bring out your inner child with this beautiful Peter Pan rib tattoo. I’ve heard this is a pretty painful spot to get inked, based on those who’ve gone through these sessions.
But the final result? It’s just so simply beautiful! This is definitely on my watercolor tattoo ideas lust-list.
8. Colibri Bird Tattoo
Source: @julesboho.tattoo
So many people think watercolor tattoos are unstructured, but as you can see right here, the style can be as structured or as free as you want!
This hummingbird is absolutely stunning, and those colors are just breathtakingly beautiful.
9. Disney Wrist Tattoo
Source: @littlemissjesstattoos
Any Disney lover will absolutely adore this Disney themed Mickey and Minnie mouse watercolor tattoo. It’s stunningly simple, which is always the best.
10. Little Girl Watercolor Tattoo
Source: @iristattooart
This is a slightly different take on that Banksy art-classic. I mean, who doesn’t love this beautiful watercolor image of a little girl with her balloon?
It could be a symbol of letting go of something from the past.
11. Blue Feather on Back
Source: @adrianbascur
Combining a dark color like the black you see here with shades of blue and white is such a great way to make your design stand out from the crowd.
12. Cute Watercolor Bird Tattoo
Source: @littlemissjesstattoos
This is so cute, simple, and completely adorable. The little love hearts add an especially delightful touch to this sweet watercolor bird.
13. Cute Elephant Family
Source: @littlemissjesstattoos
Do you have a strong family that you’re proud of and believe in? Why not represent them with this adorable elephant family watercolor tattoo?
For a more personal approach, you could even have each person pick their own favorite color.
14. Pink Flowers
Source: @pissaro_tattoo
For something subtle and so feminine, these pink flowers are such a beautiful ink-addition.
You could totally add to these over the years and create a stunning bouquet of flowers.
15. Elephant Watercolor Tattoo
Source: @milky_tattoodles
Watercolor tattoos are a pretty new idea, having only been around for the last five or six years, but they are getting more and more popular.
As you can see, even a simple animal design can be instantly jazzed-up with a clever pop of color.
16. Cute Panda Tattoo
Source: @ilwolhongdam
This panda tattoo is symbolic to Asian culture and is just so adorable. It’s also a beautiful symbol of serenity and peace.
17. Blue Cherry Blossom
Source: @ilwolhongdam
The cherry blossom, which is the national flower of Japan, gets a bit of a makeover here. It’s done in blue instead of the traditional pink, and I am here for it!
18. Splash of Color Arm Tattoo
Source: reddit.com
Did your kid paint a masterpiece at school? Maybe you’re proud of that very first painting you pinned on the fridge?
You could have it made into a beautiful watercolor design. Since it’s abstract, it could be anything you want it to be, or whatever your kid’s imagination allows!
19. Origami Tattoo
Source: @kozubskaola
Flying bird tattoos are said to represent a desire for exploring new things, places, and adventures.
A feeling of freedom and flight can show a need for constant change, perfect for someone who can’t be tied to just one place.
20. Paper Cranes + Splash of Color
Source: @littlemissjesstattoos
Origami and watercolor seriously go hand in hand. It’s such a great way to add a new twist to the bird theme if you’re not looking for something traditional.
21. Small & Colorful Origami Tattoo
Source: @adrianbascur
A tattoo absolutely doesn’t need to be big to be beautiful. If you’re thinking about your first tattoo, why not consider starting with something small?
22. Poppy Flower Tattoo
Source: @michelabottin
This poppy watercolor tattoo is a symbol of remembrance. It’s not only so pretty to look at, but it also holds a ton of meaning.
23. Small Elephant Wrist Tattoo
Source: @graffittoo
Symbolizing peace, power, and strength, this wrist elephant tattoo is so discreet and also easily customizable. What’s not to love?
24. Cool Watercolor Tattoo
Source: collegecandy.com
This is almost an illusion, and I can’t help but marvel at how clever this tattoo is. It’s a watercolor face with butterflies done in a way that makes you look twice. It’s a total showstopper.
25. World Map Wrist Tattoo
Source: @milky_tattoodles
If travel is your thing, why not start with an empty map? You can add watercolor effects to the countries you visit. It’s a great way to have a tattoo with tons of meaning AND memories!
26. Life of a Tree Tattoo
Source: @graffittoo
Just like people, a tree changes so much throughout its life. This beautiful, ever-changing tree is a perfect representation of that.
27. Love is Hard Work
Source: @georgiagreynyc
Let’s say you got the word “love” tattooed when you were feeling it, but that feeling has since gone away.
You can add to your tattoo in the best way possible with the words “is hard work.” So true. Love IS hard work!
28. Watercolor Heart
Source: @milky_tattoodles
Clever, simple, and fun are just three words you can use to describe this painter-themed watercolor tattoo. I just love it.
29. Abstract Watercolor Tattoo
Source: @yelizozcan_tattooart
Abstract tattoos give you so much freedom to get a little crazier with your ideas. We are so into this swirling, birded wonder.
30. Watercolor Music Tattoo
Source: @tattoojune
They say music soothes the soul, so why not show that off? This stunning reddish-purple design is a perfect way to do it.
31. Perfect Tattoo For Music Lovers
Source: @iristattooart
Imagine using the colors from your favorite album cover right now. You could even add the notes from your favorite song. The possibilities are truly endless with this one.
32. Small & Cute Owl Tattoo
Source: pinterest.com
Owls have become such a fashion statement lately. If you’re thinking about getting one, you should know they are a sign for wisdom, education, and experience. Just like a wise old owl!
33. Watercolor Flower Tattoo
Source: @magdalena_bujak
Flowers are a great canvas to play around with watercolor effects. As you can see from this beautiful blue floral design, you can really make those colors pop!
34. Feather & Birds Tattoo
Source: @javiwolfink
Why choose between birds and feathers when you can have both? I am so in love with this beautiful design, which is a perfect example of freedom and spirituality.
35. Moon Thigh Tattoo
Source: @tattooist_doy
The different stages of the moon can totally show the different stages of life. It’s always beautiful but also always changing every day based on what happens around it.
Life is inconsistent, after all. This moon thigh watercolor tattoo is just gorgeous.
36. Watercolor Nebula Tattoo
Source: @inkyoursoul
Anyone who loves their space-stuff will be obsessed with this beautiful nebula tattoo. If deep, dark, and bold colors are your thing, this one is a sure-fire winner.
37. Music Wrist Tattoo
Source: @ilwolhongdam
If you have a simple, old, black and white tattoo and you’re thinking about giving it a little revamp, why not look into adding watercolor features? This simple musical tattoo is a perfect example.
38. Bird Back Tattoo
Source: pinterest.com
This could represent a family of birds or even the transformation of just one bird. Honestly, I don’t know and I don’t care. It’s just so beautiful and could easily reflect both ideas.
39. Chemical Thigh Tattoo (Serotonin)
Source: @yelizozcantattooart
Serotonin plays a super important part in your body, regulating things like your mood, hunger, memory, sexual desire, and more.
We could all use more serotonin in our lives, so why not remind yourself of that with this clever chemistry-themed tattoo?
40. Watercolor Swallow Foot Tattoo
Source: pinterest.com
Did you know the swallow tattoo was originally meant to represent a sailor who was proud of all their adventures and experiences?
Once upon a time it was, though these days it has become a very popular and ever-changing tattoo design.
41. Cool Origami Paper Crane Tattoo
Source: @yelizozcan_tattooart
The origami crane tattoo is a sign of prosperity and hope, and it’s one that is becoming more and more popular.
In fact, if you can make it out of origami paper, you can make it into origami tattoo art.
42. Small Heart Finger Tattoo
Source: @tattooist_banul
This is small, discreet, and totally adorable. Why not show your love for someone with a beautiful blue watercolor heart?
43. Disney Little Mermaid Tattoo
Source: @milky_tattoodles
Who wouldn’t want to be part of our world when you can have a great tattoo like this one? I think it’s absolutely mermaid-tastic!
44. Believe in Love Tattoo
Source: @karthikbengre
Do you believe in love? I sure do with this beautiful watercolor tattoo. This might be a great one for couples to get. Do I sense a matching tattoo moment?
45. Watercolor Feather Tattoo
The idea of freedom is what’s most associated with feather tattoos, much like the idea of flying and freedom with birds.
Feather tattoos can also represent one of the elements, which is air. Air is full of open space, and birds are free to move about pretty much as they please.
46. Flamingo Arm Tattoo
Source: @adrianbascur
It’s not the most popular bird tattoo, but the flamingo is said to represent something eye-catching, bold, and beautiful.
And let’s not forget that these gorgeous birds are very social animals, too. Maybe this could symbolize a social person?
47. Wrist Tree Tattoo
Source: @tattooist_banul
This simple and humble wrist tree tattoo could be a sign of something that is long-lasting and resilient. So beautiful.
48. Watercolor Geometry Tattoo
Source: @yelizozcan_tattooart
Just like origami, these geometrical designs work perfectly with the watercolor look. It’s like having structure with the unstructured, yin to yang, day and night, black and white…
49. Watercolor Cat Tattoo
Source: @kozubskaola
You can join the millions of #crazycatpeople on the internet with this amazing cat silhouette. It’s made up of an awesome mix of darker watercolor shades.
50. Watercolor Cat Tattoo
Source: @magdalena_bujak
And if birds weren’t really your thing, you could get your cat immortalized on your skin with this clever watercolor design.
In fact, you could do this with any animal you like. Now, where’s that portrait of the beloved family dog?
51. Origami Boat on Water
Source: @rodrigotas
Ships and other nautical themed tattoos are all the rage these days, but I’m really loving the modern look of this origami ship. As they say, a smooth sea did not a skilled sailor make…
So what do you think? Do these watercolor tattoo design ideas hit the spot for you? Have you been inspired to come up with your own unique and imaginative ideas?
We hope we’ve given you some ink-inspiration but we’d love to see what you come up with too! Give us a shout on social media and let us know what you’ve created.