Soft gradients, splashes and areas of colour without hard edges. In a free consultation we clarify motif, placement and colour build-up and introduce you to the Artist who has mastered Watercolour.
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WatercolourNot necessarily, but it is usually wise. A black or dark framework of lines or shading gives the motif structure when the colours soften over the years. Pure areas of colour without any outline look particularly airy when freshly tattooed, but lose legibility faster. That is why our Artists often build a mix: a clearly drawn main motif, such as a flower, an animal or lettering, surrounded by colour that bleeds out like wet paper. You decide in the consultation how much structure you want. If you deliberately go without lines, we will give you an honest assessment of how the motif will look in ten years.
Colour lightens over time. That applies to every tattoo; with Watercolour you just notice it sooner, because there is hardly any black to hold against it. Light tones such as yellow, pink and light blue fade faster than red, purple or turquoise. The sun is the main enemy; consistent sun protection keeps colours noticeably strong for longer. Then there is the placement: hands, feet and areas with a lot of friction are unsuitable for Watercolour. After a few years the colour can be refreshed; with this style that is planned for and not a flaw. Your Artist tells you before tattooing which colours will last on your placement.
Anything that thrives on movement: flowers, feathers, birds, butterflies, fish, abstract splashes behind lettering or a small Realistic motif. Watercolour is less a motif style than a way of setting colour, so it combines well with Fineline, Sketch or Lettering. A fine line motif with a veil of colour behind it is a very popular variation. Less suitable are motifs that depend on sharp edges, such as Geometric or block lettering. Feel free to bring references, including images of real watercolour paintings or fabrics; the colour mood often matters more than the reference itself.
Medium-sized or larger. Colour gradients need space so the transitions stay visible. At three or four centimetres a gradient quickly becomes a blotch. As a rule of thumb: the motif should be at least the size of a palm, with gradients and splashes extending beyond that. The upper arm, forearm, thigh, shoulder blade and ribs offer the right space and little friction. Your Artist adapts the size to your placement in the consultation; often the motif ends up a little larger than first planned, so that in a few years it still looks the way it did on the first day.
With Watercolour, the area, the number of colours and the effort for the gradients determine the price. A motif with a black framework and two or three colour tones takes less time than an area with many transitions. We split larger pieces into sessions so that skin and colour can recover. Your Artist sets the price after the free consultation.
More in the price guide: How much does a tattoo cost?
15 minutes from Cologne. Tattoo and piercing under one roof.
Fineline“I'm so thrilled with the result. The service and the effort you put in is really awesome. This was definitely not my last tattoo from you. Thank you. (Translated from German)”
“Many other tattoo studios turned down my wish for a cover-up with ‘That's not possible.’ […] Asaf created the cover-up over a longer process, took a lot of time for my wishes and comments and kept adjusting the sketch until I was happy. (Translated from German)”
“From the first consultation to the last needle stroke, it was simply perfect. The team is so warm, and visiting the studio now feels like coming home for me. (Translated from German)”
No, the technique is the same. What matters is the placement. The upper arm and thigh are well padded, the ribs and collarbone more sensitive. How each placement feels is described on our body placement pages.
Small and medium motifs usually one session. We split large areas with many colours over two or more appointments so the colour heals cleanly and gradients can be reworked.
Only to a limited extent. Light colours do not cover dark black. A cover-up with Watercolour elements works if the old motif is light or is lightened beforehand. Send us a photo and we will tell you honestly what is possible.
Yes. The free consultation is available in the Atelier in Hürth or by video call. Some of our Artists offer payment in instalments, usually via PayPal or Klarna. Whether this is possible, on what terms and over what period is set by the Artist, who will tell you in the consultation. The studio is not involved in this. More on this under Payment in instalments. How to prepare for your appointment is explained in the preparation guide.
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