Our Services:
Tattooing Charges | Pet Portrait Tattoos | Watercolour Tattoos | Coverup Tattoos | Scar Coverups | Calligraphic Tattoos | Body Piercing | Temporary Tattoos | Tattoo On Wheels | Contact Us
Tattooing Charges | Pet Portrait Tattoos | Watercolour Tattoos | Coverup Tattoos | Scar Coverups | Calligraphic Tattoos | Body Piercing | Temporary Tattoos | Tattoo On Wheels | Contact Us
When East Meets West:
Watercolour & Chinese Painting Tattoos
Apple’s Western Watercolour & Traditional Chinese Painting Tattoos
Memory Lane is the only studio worldwide offering Apple’s unique fusion of vibrant watercolour and traditional shuimo (Chinese ink wash) painting styles—her trademarked approach to body art.
Not all Chinese painting or watercolour tattoos are equal. Without a strong fine arts background, many designs feel lifeless or forced. Apple Qu, however, was already an accomplished oil painter before becoming a tattoo artist over a decade ago.
Influenced by both Eastern and Western artists, Apple blends classical Chinese art with modern tattooing. Her signature soft brush-stroke style reflects this synergy.
Today, Apple runs her own tattoo studio in Singapore, where she champions this unique art form and reignites interest in Chinese painting–style tattoos. She is currently the only master tattoo artist in Singapore offering this distinctive style. While skilled in all tattoo genres, her true passion—and excellence—lies in Traditional Chinese and watercolour tattoos.
Memory Lane is the only studio worldwide offering Apple’s unique fusion of vibrant watercolour and traditional shuimo (Chinese ink wash) painting styles—her trademarked approach to body art.
Not all Chinese painting or watercolour tattoos are equal. Without a strong fine arts background, many designs feel lifeless or forced. Apple Qu, however, was already an accomplished oil painter before becoming a tattoo artist over a decade ago.
Influenced by both Eastern and Western artists, Apple blends classical Chinese art with modern tattooing. Her signature soft brush-stroke style reflects this synergy.
Today, Apple runs her own tattoo studio in Singapore, where she champions this unique art form and reignites interest in Chinese painting–style tattoos. She is currently the only master tattoo artist in Singapore offering this distinctive style. While skilled in all tattoo genres, her true passion—and excellence—lies in Traditional Chinese and watercolour tattoos.
What Are Western Watercolor Tattoos?
Western watercolor tattoos draw inspiration from 18th–19th century watercolor paintings, known for their soft tones, delicate details, and lifelike quality. Before photography, this style brought dreamy, alluring illustrations of botanicals, landscapes, and architecture to life.
Over the past decade, watercolor tattoos have surged in popularity among body art enthusiasts. Their signature soft strokes, color bleeds, fades, and whimsical blends are now etched onto skin—offering a unique alternative to traditional tattooing.
However, true watercolor tattoos require more than technical tattooing skill. Only artists with a background in fine art painting can master the color harmony and precision needed to authentically render this dreamlike style.
Western watercolor tattoos draw inspiration from 18th–19th century watercolor paintings, known for their soft tones, delicate details, and lifelike quality. Before photography, this style brought dreamy, alluring illustrations of botanicals, landscapes, and architecture to life.
Over the past decade, watercolor tattoos have surged in popularity among body art enthusiasts. Their signature soft strokes, color bleeds, fades, and whimsical blends are now etched onto skin—offering a unique alternative to traditional tattooing.
However, true watercolor tattoos require more than technical tattooing skill. Only artists with a background in fine art painting can master the color harmony and precision needed to authentically render this dreamlike style.
What Is Traditional Chinese Painting?
Traditional Chinese Painting is one of the world’s oldest continuous art forms. It uses a brush dipped in black or colored ink, applying techniques similar to Chinese calligraphy.
Two Main Styles:
Traditional Chinese Painting as Tattoo Art
Unlike Western tattoo styles (e.g., Sailor Jerry, Ed Hardy), Chinese Painting–style tattoos use calligraphic brushstrokes to create flowing, ink-painted designs on the skin.
Skin is an uneven, moving surface—but Chinese brushstroke-based structures adapt naturally. Instead of harsh lines or bold borders, this style uses soft, flowing strokes to build rich, organic forms.
Choose Your Style:
Traditional Chinese Painting is one of the world’s oldest continuous art forms. It uses a brush dipped in black or colored ink, applying techniques similar to Chinese calligraphy.
Two Main Styles:
- Gong-Bi (工笔): A meticulous, detailed style with precise brushstrokes and rich color. Often used for figurative or narrative art, it was favored by imperial court artists.
- Shui-Mo (水墨): A freehand “literati painting” style. It was one of the Four Arts essential to China’s Scholar-Official class.
Traditional Chinese Painting as Tattoo Art
Unlike Western tattoo styles (e.g., Sailor Jerry, Ed Hardy), Chinese Painting–style tattoos use calligraphic brushstrokes to create flowing, ink-painted designs on the skin.
Skin is an uneven, moving surface—but Chinese brushstroke-based structures adapt naturally. Instead of harsh lines or bold borders, this style uses soft, flowing strokes to build rich, organic forms.
Choose Your Style:
- Gong-Bi: Minute, detailed designs
- Shui-Mo: Soft, fluid touches
Some of Apple's East-Meets-West Designs:
For enquiries and consultation bookings, please WhatsApp us at +65 8720 9852 or email us for further information.
NOTE: Not all tattoo designs are suitable for this unique style of tattooing. Consult us to see whether it'll fit, or we would be delighted to showcase some of our unique designs made for this style!
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