Like every form of art, tattoo making has evolved over the years. Traditionally tattoos were known for their bold outlook and discreet outlines. However, with the advent of watercolor tattoos, this art has been given a new definition and a new look. Its abstract designs and ambiguous shapes have added a new dimension to the tattoo making industry and the customers now have a wider variety to choose from. Also, watercolor tattoos definitely give artists more freedom to explore their creativity. The Week’s Swasti Gautam spoke to Shree Tisi and Mik Lepcha, tattoo artists at Mohan’s Tattoo Inn in Thamel, to know more about this exciting version of tattoo making.
About water color tattoos
Traditional tattoos have a black outline and dark solid colors within it. Watercolor tattoos, on the other hand, exhibit a lot of coloring and shading and lacks any kind of dark outlining. To create the effect of watercolor, artists usually use techniques such as shades, blurs, dots, and splatters. Watercolor tattoos are normally made from the same instruments and the same ink like the traditional tattoo. The technique of applying the tattoo is however different as these tattoos are typically made with little or no black. Softer colors are used to give these tattoos the effect of watercolor. These tattoos mostly have the amorphous shapes that give the effect of brush strokes. The pigment seems like it has been applied with wide and thick instruments but no extra instrument is used in making this form of tattoo. “It is just a normal tattoo. Our expertise makes it look like watercolor,” says Lepcha.
The longevity of
watercolor tattoos
Look at the brighter side of life
The truth is that every kind of tattoo fades and there might be a need for touchups after a few years. Traditionally, tattoos have had a thick colored outer layer, but watercolor tattoos are made up of light colors. “It is true that the light colors tend to fade faster than the dark one,” says Lepcha adding that, on average, it takes five to six years for watercolor tattoos to fade. The lightening of the tattoo doesn’t necessarily make it look ugly. Most of the times, the lightened tattoo might not spoil the design and make it look even more like a watercolor painting.
Prerequisites for getting a watercolor tattoo
There is no right kind of skin type for a watercolor tattoo. However, there are numerous factors that affect the end result of a watercolor tattoo and the amount of pigment in the skin and the ink used definitely play a major role. According to Tisi, watercolor tattoos usually don’t look good on Nepali skin because colors such as blue and purple do not stand out. The bright colors look better in fair skin. The lighter the skin tone the better it is for the watercolor tattoo. Nevertheless, Nepalis usually have a variety of skin types and it is better to consult your tattoo artist before deciding on the colors of your tattoo design.
Care instructions
Tattoo making comprises of a tattoo needle that penetrates through your skin very rapidly in an up and down motion. Tattoos cause minimal damage to the skin and have the ability to heal very quickly. Depending on the skin type and individual care, it may take one to two weeks to heal. Watercolor tattoos are no different from traditional tattoos and for the first two weeks need critical care.
“Tattoos are wounds and they must be dealt with extreme care,” says Lepcha. The excitement of getting a new tattoo may be overwhelming; however you need to keep the bandage for at least two hours after getting a tattoo. After removing the bandage the tattoo must be cleaned with the ointment given to you by the tattoo artist. “Don’t swim for at least two weeks. You can obviously have a bath but do let your tattoo get very wet,” he explains adding that there may also be some peeling and scabbing of skin after a few days. “Do not try to peel them with your fingers and let them heal on their own,” he adds. Lepcha further explains that your tattoo always has to be protected from excessive sunlight as long exposure to direct sunlight may lighten the color pigments.
Client feedbacks
Raquel from Chicago just got her first watercolor tattoo in Kathmandu. She wanted a watercolor tattoo as it looks better and is definitely a lot more colorful and cheery than regular ones. “All tattoos tend to fade over time, so I’m not scared to get a watercolor tattoo as it is just a more artistic version of the traditional tattoo,” she says. Raven from China has numerous tattoos on his hands however he is extremely apprehensive about getting a watercolor tattoo as it seems a little feminine to him. “Watercolor tattoos look extremely fascinating and they are extremely artistic but they are certainly not my type,” he says. The artists, at Mohan’s Tattoo Inn, however say that getting a tattoo is a personal choice and a lot depends on your taste and comfort zone too. So it’s best to be really, really sure about the type of tattoo you think you can pull off before opting for one.
