There is something quietly powerful about a tattoo artist who uses more than a single medium.
The watercolor floral prints shown above are a beautiful example of that creative range. Soft washes of pinks, corals, and muted blues bloom across textured paper, revealing a sensitivity to light, movement, and negative space. Sofia Laishram, a delightful tattoo artist of the Upper Valley, also works in another medium entirely: soft pastels, watercolors on paper.
At first glance, watercolor and tattooing may seem worlds apart. One is delicate and airy, the other permanent and bold. But both demand precision, control, and a deep understanding of how pigment behaves. On paper, watercolor flows freely, spreading organically with the water, grain, and texture of the surface. Sofia Laishram must anticipate how color will dry, how edges will soften, and how layers will interact. On skin, ink behaves differently—settling beneath the surface, interacting with undertones, healing over time. A tattoo artist must account for body movement, aging, and texture. In both cases, technical mastery meets intuition.
Working across mediums strengthens artistic vision. When a tattoo artist paints with watercolor, they develop a heightened awareness of color harmony and subtle transitions. Those gentle gradients seen in floral petals translate beautifully into tattoo designs that feel organic rather than flat. The confidence to leave negative space on paper becomes the ability to design tattoos that breathe on the body. The looseness of watercolor encourages flow—something essential when designing pieces that follow the natural contours of an arm, shoulder, or back.
There is also something deeply grounding about stepping away from skin and creating art on paper. Tattooing carries weight. It is collaborative, permanent, and deeply personal. Every line matters. Every design becomes part of someone’s identity. Painting, on the other hand, can feel exploratory. It allows for experimentation without permanence. A brushstroke can be bold, spontaneous, even imperfect. This freedom nourishes creativity and often leads to fresh ideas that circle back into tattooing artistry.
The watercolor florals in this collection demonstrate balance; bold blossoms anchored by soft petals, strong composition softened by fluid brushwork. That same balance is essential in tattooing. A superior tattoo artist understands structure and spontaneity, line and softness, permanence and emotion. They know how to design for durability while still capturing beauty.
When an artist works in both watercolor and tattoo ink, they are not simply switching tools. This tattoo artist will be expanding their visual vocabulary. Paper becomes a laboratory for color theory and composition. Skin becomes a living canvas that requires empathy and communication. Together, these mediums inform one another. The result is an artist who is versatile, thoughtful, and technically refined.
Ultimately, what connects watercolor to paper and ink on skin is intention. Both are acts of storytelling. Both transform blank surfaces into meaning. Both require courage. The courage to let pigment flow freely across textured paper or the courage to place a permanent mark on human skin. A multi-medium tattoo artist carries the lessons of both worlds, creating art that is not only beautiful, but deeply considered.
At Be You Tattoo, our consultations are design and client-focused, transparent, and collaborative. We prioritize clear communication, professional standards of care, and thoughtful design review. Every tattoo begins with intention. This is because when the process is proper, the result speaks for itself.
If you’re ready to take the next step, we’d love to meet you for a consultation.