Is it possible to get a semi-transparent tattoo?

Question

For example, if you wanted a "watercolor" effect where a blue area overlapped a yellow area, creating a green area, is that possible without using green ink? I'm kinda assuming that if I try to cover-up my mostly blue tattoo with a mostly yellow design, that's what the end result will look like. Am I wrong?

Answer 1

...YeAh...

Answer 2

Well, it's kind of complicated. It is not like a watercolor painting, but you can achieve a look like one.

You cannot cover up a darker color with a lighter color with any success. The darker color will always dominate. There are some colors of approximately the same shade, that will work to some extent. I have a blue flower, that was covered by a red ink, and has resulted in a little of both and a kind of a purple. I can probably have a bit more red pounded into it at some point to head it in that direction and make it 'redder'.

If I had had .. say, yellow, or white, put over the blue, it might show for a while, but the blue would always over power and come through. Also, the whites and yellows, fade the fastest.

Also, you will be hard pressed finding out what a color is made from other than black. It could be anything from organic to synthetic. And because of this it may change somewhat with age. You might have some odd effects, from a 'scratcher' or a not so reputable artist who goes for 'cheap' inks.

So, your best bet would be to go to a well established, reputable, experienced artist/shop, and that way you would be able to rely on the artists knowledge of his/her inks, and years of experience and of seeing what happens to colors over time... the longevity of a tattoo.

Find a knowledgeable artist that has been around for more than 10 yrs. and work with him/her.

good luck  

Answer 3

Haha. Yes you're wrong. You'd need to use green ink. Tattoo ink isn't quite the same as the color wheel, unfortunately. If you used yellow over blue, it'd just turn out a black-ish dark color.