A dragon tattoo commission: from sketch to watercolour ✨🐉
This project started in the loveliest way: Chiara found my work through Wyrmspan, fell in love with the dragons, and asked if I could create a custom one for a tattoo on her upper arm. I still can’t quite believe people want my dragons on their skin forever BTW 🥹
Her vibe was very specific (my favourite kind): fantasy, a little poetic, not too cute, not too aggressive. Something elegant and in movement. She loves my "nature" dragons, but she is also into space stuff. Colour direction: greens, purples and touches of pinks.
She shared a handful of my dragons she loved (like Sage below) , and we built her design from there.
Step 1: iPad sketches to lock the pose
These days, I start tattoo commissions with digital sketches on Procreate.
It makes the early phase so much smoother: I can explore movement, silhouette, and details without wasting paper (and without the stress of “don’t mess up the good sheet!”) also it is so easy to edit.
I sent Chiara two first sketches to validate the composition and the direction. She took a little time to think (exams were happening, life was real), then came back with a clearer vision.
Step 2: nature over space 🌿
At first, there was a little space fantasy floating around… but Chiara realised she wanted to lean fully into nature.
Her notes were detailed:
branch horns
leafy wings
scales with botanical decorations through the body
pastel but saturated tones: greens, light blues, with pink violet touches
a touch of “elven elegance” in the details, like floral ramifications along the crown and body
So the dragon became a kind of forest spirit: gentle, wild, and slightly magical.
Step 3: two colour options, then tiny palette tests (right before painting) 🎨
Once the final sketch was chosen, I created two coloured versions of the same dragon so Chiara could pick the palette.
After she approved the lighter option, I did my favourite pre-paint ritual: colour tests on tiny scraps of paper.
This happens right before the big watercolour painting: I test how pigments behave together, how they dry, how soft or saturated they can go, and what will translate nicely into a tattoo.
It’s a small step that saves me every time.
Step 4: the final watercolour: soft wings, leafy textures, little blossoms ✨
Then it was time for the real thing: watercolour on paper.
This is where the dragon really starts to breathe: soft pink blends in the wings, leafy textures in the scales, little botanical touches in the negative space to make the nature details stand out, and a few watercolour drops for that touch of magic.
Watch the video here
Why tattoo commissions feel extra special
I’m always genuinely honoured when someone chooses my work for a tattoo. It’s such an intimate commission: the artwork becomes part of someone’s story, permanently.
There’s also a beautiful collaboration layer: the final tattoo will always be a mix of my original painting and the tattoo artist’s craft. Watercolour tattoos can be tricky, but in the right hands they are absolutely stunning.
I can’t wait to see Chiara’s dragon come to life on skin.
In the meantime, I did a quick mock-up in Photoshop to help her visualise the placement and the final look. It’s a little extra I love doing for my clients.
Let's create your next tattoo together 😃👩🏻🎨: bonjour@blule.fr
Colourfully,
Clémentine 💙✨