Watercolor Tattoo Photo #275

Soft gradients bleed into each other, splatter marks trail off the main image, and the whole piece feels lighter and more spontaneous than traditional ink. That painterly quality is what makes the style so appealing - and so divisive, because longevity depends heavily on technique.

By placing thousands of tiny dots at controlled spacing, dotwork artists achieve smooth gradients and intricate patterns. This labor-intensive method gives tattoos a unique texture that stands apart from traditional line-based work.

Forearm tattoos benefit from a natural canvas that follows the arm's long shape. Designs can wrap around the arm or sit on the inner or outer surface, giving flexibility in how the tattoo is displayed.