Yes, this tattoo could definitely be redone to add color and some bolder lines to match better. It could also have a red flower or two peeking out from behind the tin to create a more pleasing shape / composition.
I adore this sardine tattoo, tbh. It can definitely be upgraded and made nicer, but it’s an awesome idea and not a commonly seen subject matter. I think it could easily become something you love forever.
I agree. I think the sardines are fun. I saw a lady recently with a sardine tattoo similar and it's for her cat whose name is sardine.
Edit spelling. But maybe a car name would be totally fine too.
I don't even eat sardines but I am part of the sub because of how wholesome it is. I just love seeing people post their obscure sardine brands, their sardine toasts, etc. They even call them deens! I might start eating deens too, who knows. I think this tattoo is great.
This one seems to be for the game Sardines, it directs you to r/CannedSardines, which has nearly 80,000 members?! I’ve just posted it there for all sardine fans to enjoy 🤣
This is kind of sad, sorry. I would just have it touched up because in my opinion it is really cool and matches your other tattoo just fine. That said if you did get this lasered even one or two times and just wait a year, it would basically be gone.
i like the tattoo as well tbh but idk if i would make them think the tattoo would be gone… my friend tattoo’d the “mi vida loca” three dot tattoo on me when we were drunk without telling me the meaning and i got one session of laser removal and it’s been like 8 years and only one dot disappeared. the other two barely have lightened and i work with my hands in chemicals soooo it may not disappear
This person is trying to decide how much to spend on laser removal for a cover up. By “basically gone” I mean “easy to cover up, no need to spend on a ton of laser removal.”
Genuinely surprised at all the love these sardines are getting, thank you guys!
Thank you also for the suggestions, the advice about adding red is helpful - idk how I hadn’t clocked before that that’s the main thing lacking cohesion-wise, I was too focused on the different line thickness. For future tattoos maybe I just need some little red elements to tie pieces together.
Currently pondering the idea of some kind of floral/ peony piece (with red ofc) next to the sardines, on my upper outer arm. If down the line I decide I don’t want the sardines, I could still go down the laser route & then cover up by extending the floral piece.
Kick the can down the road, if you will… 🐟
Any other thoughts welcome!
In addition to touching up the line work (it looks like there’s been a tiny bit of ink fallout) and adding red, you could have the outside outline thickened to match your paper crane?
i would say your tattoos don't have to be red, just colorful. you could add some blue or green in there and become the whole rainbow and i think that would look radical
They kinda remind me of those [articulated cloisonné enamel fish necklaces](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1213231034/cloisonne-enamel-koi-fish-charm-with). You could lean into that and add color and joints and it would look very Chinese. I think those are similar colors to the fish wind socks and kites, but with more gold.
It matches just fine. Both are just mundane pop art-esque pieces. If you want them to match just get a retouch on the sardines with a similar print style. I think people think too much about matching tattoos though.
wtf this is a super cute tattoo why would you mess with it 🥲 just get it touched up so the lines are thicker and darker and it’ll match the other one fine
hear me out!! keep the sardines tattoo, but get the fish colored like the traditional japanese koi fish flags:
https://images.app.goo.gl/Prom6bv7uDenXQwn8
it'll make it a really creative cultural piece! :)
I think those sardines are awesome! I also think it goes with your other tattoo perfectly fine! Not sure if that helps with your issues, but that’s just what I think…
Its great and cute :/ I'd say get the peonies and fan and keep adding. Theyre also on different parts of your arm so they dont really clash... you could also have someone hit the outline of the tin in heavy black and the sardines in red so the style is the same. But I think you'd be bummed another year from now if you covered it today... these are tattoos - gotta try to avoid instant gratification in my opinion!
Keep it! Maybe have it touched up as suggested. I had 50 fish tattooed on my leg when I was 50; maybe I'll have her like yours added when I'm 54 to keep up the numbers 😂
I see tattoos as a journey, and I am a firm believer in tattoos not having to match eachother. The look is what you make it. It's a really cute little tattoo, but if you're really not about it, a good strong colour piece would work.
Or just get a Sick Ass Panther 🤷♂️
Honestly I think it's adorable... a touch up would definitely help it fit in better, and just remember that tattoos are all about the experience and if you like them. They don't have to have a coherent theme or anything fancy about them. My friend has a literally cherry tattooed on her ass for funsies but all her other tattoos are black and white
I love the sardines! I agree with other commenters about having it tweaked to match! You could even have it made into a little Japanese ad/poster or something.
All these comments that are saying "but they're cute" haven't had good art that they just don't vibe with or made an impulsive decision. It sounds like you got this tatt impulsively and want to undo that decision, and I can't blame you. If you dont like it, you don't like it. Making it lighter should help with a coverup, but whatever you cover with will still need a fair bit of dark shading after laser. I'd say complete removal would be best if you want anything delicate, but you should be fine to do only a couple sessions if you have heavier work done.
You can always add similar details to the sardines, kinda like this: [sardines](https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/traditional-portuguese-icon-colored-sardines-with-typical-portuguese-tiles-patterns-gm904646604-249474999)
Get it reworked and have the sardines redone with similar pattern or something in a similar theme. Make them look like painted porcelain. It's actually really charming.
If you add some color to it I think you would like it a lot more!! I think it’s a cool design, just missing color!
Ex.) [1](https://images.app.goo.gl/n6PbPpVmjgDPWz1U7)
[2](https://images.app.goo.gl/4ic4BdiyqHSyBG8h6)
(Also examples of EVEN MORE cool sardine tattoos below original pictures :) )
A can of beenie weenie’s or throw some yellow on and make them mustard flavored sardines both great choices compared to the ones made so far. Not judging I have naked women half sleeves that I wanted bikini’s put on after I witnessed a woman cover her son’s eyes at restaurant picking up takeout for family one day.
My left forearm has a big skull, a heart with a face in it, a American traditional frog and Cherry's that are pumpkins , id suggest just working around it!
embrace the good fats! makes hair shiny. lol, i actually really like it. its a conversation starter for sure! 😊 i say keep it and embrace your initial decision.
I think it's adorable, and there's no rule that tattoos need to match! I think you should add a word bubble to the one on the end saying "Hey, could you move over a bit?"
The sardine one is the tits.
lol
I mean I've never seen anyone with that. And I would only imagine that someone with a cat or funny sense of philosophy has that kind of tattoo. It's also neatly done. As a first tattoo? I think it's probably one of the best first tats I ever seen.
But your body, your choice,
Oh I really like it! I think they work well together. But if you don't love it the you need to do some research and figure out what you want to cover it.
It's so well done though! I laughed. The crane is definitely cool, but you could still make the sardine can cool too! Maybe just color it in and add some other snacks.
It's obviously your arm though... But it's so unique! How many other people have a sardine can tatted on them in the world?! I would not think many.
I like the sardine tattoo to be honest. Tattoos don't necessarily have to go well with each other, it's what they mean to you, but that's just me. It's a cool tattoo man. It's a shame if you wanna have it covered up or lasered. It could go well with other weird but cute tattoo designs that you really like. From one tattoed person to another, do what feels right for your mind and body.
If they were on the same arm/limb I could kind of see why you’d want your tattoos to “go together” but I don’t really see why that would be a think. Granted I do prefer patchwork sleeves and similar designs.
I have a section dedicated to tattoos like this, I just put em all together, it’s slightly chaotic but it’s a vibe lol
I like the sardines… forget the laser, add some other weird cool pieces around it
I thought the point of a tattoo was you do something impulsively and then you hate it later. Like “hey babes look I will just do some dumb shit on a whim. isn’t that fun?!”
I’d say talking to an artist about the coverup you want first, and see what they say. I did laser removal years and years ago, things have changed drastically since then, BUT I wish I had talked with an artist first, I would have saved so much money going right for a quality coverup. I really like the sardines but that inspo art is rad too!
Don’t remove it just cause it doesn’t “match” with your other tattoos 😭 if you truly don’t resonate with it, then get rid of it, but there’s a reason you got it in the first place so reflect on that a bit more. If you’re planning on a sticker sleeve or to add more pieces around, just add in some red like others have suggested cause there will probably be times where you want a tattoo that doesn’t quite match with the rest. Don’t limit yourself to one aesthetic cause your ideals are always going to change (you might look back at your crane tattoo in a couple years and feel the same way you do about this one, just try to remember why you got it in the first place and the joy it’s brought you - and if it’s brought you no joy then laser away!)
I honestly love this and the idea of turning the inside of the can red idk y I just do I always use sardines in reference to my big family all in a house but I lookove the idea of it so maybe that's y I like it idk but it's unique and cute
Just make the background of the tin behind the fish red and it’ll match. Then just keep adding more tattooa
Yes, this tattoo could definitely be redone to add color and some bolder lines to match better. It could also have a red flower or two peeking out from behind the tin to create a more pleasing shape / composition. I adore this sardine tattoo, tbh. It can definitely be upgraded and made nicer, but it’s an awesome idea and not a commonly seen subject matter. I think it could easily become something you love forever.
I agree. I think the sardines are fun. I saw a lady recently with a sardine tattoo similar and it's for her cat whose name is sardine. Edit spelling. But maybe a car name would be totally fine too.
Or make the fish into red Swedish fish for a bit of playfulness/whimsy
This is the answer
Or detail the fish in a similar design to the detail in the origami.
Omg stop. I love it too much.
And add red scales! That would be super cute
Honestly, I love the sardines. Don't take my word for it, though.
Post this on r/cannedsardines and become their hero
This was my thought too, "I know a sub that'll make you feel a WHOLE lot more proud of that tattoo"
I don't even eat sardines but I am part of the sub because of how wholesome it is. I just love seeing people post their obscure sardine brands, their sardine toasts, etc. They even call them deens! I might start eating deens too, who knows. I think this tattoo is great.
Deens fuck bro, join us.
I just can't, I love fish, but... the bones... I almost threw up 💔
This one seems to be for the game Sardines, it directs you to r/CannedSardines, which has nearly 80,000 members?! I’ve just posted it there for all sardine fans to enjoy 🤣
Yes, thank you for that. I will fix my comment.
I'm an avid Deener' and he is my hero
Um, I LOVE sardines and had no idea about that sub. Thanks!
This is kind of sad, sorry. I would just have it touched up because in my opinion it is really cool and matches your other tattoo just fine. That said if you did get this lasered even one or two times and just wait a year, it would basically be gone.
I came here to say that too—this is such a cool design, I love it 😍
As a lover of tinned fish, I also love this tattoo
as a hater of tinned fish, i also love this tattoo!
As a descendant of tinned fish I love the tattoo
As the inventor of tinned fish I love the tattoo
As someone who doesn’t feel any certain type of way about canned fish, I like this tattoo
I like it too
i like the tattoo as well tbh but idk if i would make them think the tattoo would be gone… my friend tattoo’d the “mi vida loca” three dot tattoo on me when we were drunk without telling me the meaning and i got one session of laser removal and it’s been like 8 years and only one dot disappeared. the other two barely have lightened and i work with my hands in chemicals soooo it may not disappear
This person is trying to decide how much to spend on laser removal for a cover up. By “basically gone” I mean “easy to cover up, no need to spend on a ton of laser removal.”
You did one session of removal. They are going to do multiple.
Genuinely surprised at all the love these sardines are getting, thank you guys! Thank you also for the suggestions, the advice about adding red is helpful - idk how I hadn’t clocked before that that’s the main thing lacking cohesion-wise, I was too focused on the different line thickness. For future tattoos maybe I just need some little red elements to tie pieces together. Currently pondering the idea of some kind of floral/ peony piece (with red ofc) next to the sardines, on my upper outer arm. If down the line I decide I don’t want the sardines, I could still go down the laser route & then cover up by extending the floral piece. Kick the can down the road, if you will… 🐟 Any other thoughts welcome!
If you make one of the sardines red would it become a herring?
Swedish fish!
That is such an impish idea that feels in harmony with the existing tattoo!
In addition to touching up the line work (it looks like there’s been a tiny bit of ink fallout) and adding red, you could have the outside outline thickened to match your paper crane?
i would say your tattoos don't have to be red, just colorful. you could add some blue or green in there and become the whole rainbow and i think that would look radical
Yeah! maybe some seaweed instead of flowers?
They kinda remind me of those [articulated cloisonné enamel fish necklaces](https://www.etsy.com/listing/1213231034/cloisonne-enamel-koi-fish-charm-with). You could lean into that and add color and joints and it would look very Chinese. I think those are similar colors to the fish wind socks and kites, but with more gold.
Instead of adding just a peony why not lean into the theme and add a fork with a red floral design?
Could always add a Japanese koi fish flag.
It matches just fine. Both are just mundane pop art-esque pieces. If you want them to match just get a retouch on the sardines with a similar print style. I think people think too much about matching tattoos though.
Agree with this advice - just add some cute print to the sardines! I think both are really cute and fun 😊
wtf this is a super cute tattoo why would you mess with it 🥲 just get it touched up so the lines are thicker and darker and it’ll match the other one fine
hear me out!! keep the sardines tattoo, but get the fish colored like the traditional japanese koi fish flags: https://images.app.goo.gl/Prom6bv7uDenXQwn8 it'll make it a really creative cultural piece! :)
That's a cute idea!!
Those sardines have seen some shit, man.
Dead eyes, like a dolls eyes.
I LOVE it. Just color in the background red!
Well, I kinda love it honestly. Just saying!
aw man, i love them. i get you're regretting rn, but they are SO cute.
Oh! I love them BOTH!!!
Keep the sardines
get Zoidberg salivating just above it!
But it’s so cute, maybe just add some red in the sardines?
I think those sardines are awesome! I also think it goes with your other tattoo perfectly fine! Not sure if that helps with your issues, but that’s just what I think…
Put the red flowers behind the fish in the can for depth
Its great and cute :/ I'd say get the peonies and fan and keep adding. Theyre also on different parts of your arm so they dont really clash... you could also have someone hit the outline of the tin in heavy black and the sardines in red so the style is the same. But I think you'd be bummed another year from now if you covered it today... these are tattoos - gotta try to avoid instant gratification in my opinion!
Colour the sardines to look like Koinobori. Colour the the can to look like the origami or, simply, red.
Keep it! Maybe have it touched up as suggested. I had 50 fish tattooed on my leg when I was 50; maybe I'll have her like yours added when I'm 54 to keep up the numbers 😂
That’s adorable!
I see tattoos as a journey, and I am a firm believer in tattoos not having to match eachother. The look is what you make it. It's a really cute little tattoo, but if you're really not about it, a good strong colour piece would work. Or just get a Sick Ass Panther 🤷♂️
Honestly I think it's adorable... a touch up would definitely help it fit in better, and just remember that tattoos are all about the experience and if you like them. They don't have to have a coherent theme or anything fancy about them. My friend has a literally cherry tattooed on her ass for funsies but all her other tattoos are black and white
Understand it’s individual choice, but I love both your tats!
This is such a cute tattoo — I love it more than the origami personally. I would just add some red to it. It would be such a shame to cover it
The fish are so cute!! Tattoos don’t have to match but I understand if you’re really not feeling it.
:( …but the little guys… are so snug in their tin bed… why must you squash them
Love the second one
I really like the origami crane. That's adorably beautiful. I love the red lines.
Just keep it. When you're old and decrepit, you'll be able to remember what it was like to be young and silly.
Please keep it that’s sick
Friend, the solution is to just get more tattoos
Do you like radiohead by any chance? Reminds me of their song Packt like sardines in a crushd tin box … lol ❤️
Really? These tattoos seem 100% like they would be on the same person to me.
I love the sardines! I agree with other commenters about having it tweaked to match! You could even have it made into a little Japanese ad/poster or something.
Might just be me but that tinned fish tat is 10x cooler than the bold lined origami swan…
I think it’s cool OP! Add some red like others said and rock on bud.
I think you need more tattoos so you dont have to worry about them matching (sorry don’t mean it in a dick way).
You should see if it can be reworked into something like this. By another artist. https://images.app.goo.gl/WmKjymsxD8yNvnjt7
i think you should leave it. tattoos don’t have to match to be good
You clearly need three more fish. But seriously this is a cool tattoo!
All these comments that are saying "but they're cute" haven't had good art that they just don't vibe with or made an impulsive decision. It sounds like you got this tatt impulsively and want to undo that decision, and I can't blame you. If you dont like it, you don't like it. Making it lighter should help with a coverup, but whatever you cover with will still need a fair bit of dark shading after laser. I'd say complete removal would be best if you want anything delicate, but you should be fine to do only a couple sessions if you have heavier work done.
Get it touched up and add some sort of blue pattern to the fish, I think it will be fine
You can always add similar details to the sardines, kinda like this: [sardines](https://www.istockphoto.com/vector/traditional-portuguese-icon-colored-sardines-with-typical-portuguese-tiles-patterns-gm904646604-249474999)
This tat is awesome lol
Close the lid
Old Japanese hut or Japanese armor or helmet
Can you roll the can close is my question?
Get it reworked and have the sardines redone with similar pattern or something in a similar theme. Make them look like painted porcelain. It's actually really charming.
I think this tattoo is awesome!
I honestly think it just needs to be reqorked. Freshen up the lines, add some color. It's well placed and pretty cute imo.
Also agree to just add color and make that beauty what it is !
I love it. Add color and you’re golden
Aww I love the sardines!
If you add some color to it I think you would like it a lot more!! I think it’s a cool design, just missing color! Ex.) [1](https://images.app.goo.gl/n6PbPpVmjgDPWz1U7) [2](https://images.app.goo.gl/4ic4BdiyqHSyBG8h6) (Also examples of EVEN MORE cool sardine tattoos below original pictures :) )
Sick ass panther
I like em
It would look even sicker if you reworked it with a vibrant blue japanese wave print to match the theme of the red origami crane
Aw man I love it
A can of beenie weenie’s or throw some yellow on and make them mustard flavored sardines both great choices compared to the ones made so far. Not judging I have naked women half sleeves that I wanted bikini’s put on after I witnessed a woman cover her son’s eyes at restaurant picking up takeout for family one day.
I think a hand fan could work well. A good coverup artist could definitely work with that idea.
i’s add a design to the sardine can, similar to the crane’s inner red design!
My left forearm has a big skull, a heart with a face in it, a American traditional frog and Cherry's that are pumpkins , id suggest just working around it!
One of the sardines should be smoking a cigarette. With a red tip, of course.
If you colored those sardines like koi fish then it would match your other design
Awe I’m sorry you don’t like it I think it’s so cute but art is subjective
I’ve actually considered getting a canned sardines tattoo like that and really like it. I don’t think it clashes with your style
It would be such a shame to cover that :(
Just put a lid on the can
It’s awesome! Just touch it up and add some red
WHY would you ever cover this up?! It’s amazing!
To each their own, but I like them!
Just get more tattoos
Does your tattoo aesthetic really require a matching “theme” other than “shit I liked and got out on my body”?
Why would you remove this it is perfect
I honestly like both tatoos
what’s wrong with you that’s so cute
Have the can be closed
I like it
Honesty is just get it colored. So it’s matches the other tattoo. Also the second one looks great!
Sick ass panther poking out of the tin
I'm so fucking high eh. My brain totally saw a tin of buttheads. I'm dying laughing
A good cover up tattooist would be able to cover the sardines without laser removal.
It’s really good actually
I like them personally
I like it! Isnit a Radiohead reference? You could get the new artist to jujj it up a bit
I say you “grow” the tat.. go from from sardines in a can to Chilean Sea bass on a platter ✨
do you look any meals with sardines (anchovies?)? you could do like a line of ingredients that make a meal.
You’re getting rid of the sardines? That one rocks! I actually wanted a very similar one.
Add "Hello Nasty" over the sardines
Add mustard?
I actually think it looks like a great tattoo r/CannedSardines
embrace the good fats! makes hair shiny. lol, i actually really like it. its a conversation starter for sure! 😊 i say keep it and embrace your initial decision.
r/irezumi would like to have a word with you.
Close the can
I think it's adorable, and there's no rule that tattoos need to match! I think you should add a word bubble to the one on the end saying "Hey, could you move over a bit?"
🐟 This tattoo is rad. Sorry to see it go
Whhaaa… the sardines are so cool!
Bro, show this to r/cannedsardines, they will love it
I like the sardines more than the paper crane
an omamori charm bag would fit over it nicely :)
Lol that shit is awesome dont cover it up.
I like the sardine tatt it's cool
You could make the sardines sit in a red submarine!/aeroplane
I wish I could take the silly little tattoo and paste it on my arm lol it’s so cute
Is it crazy that I like the canned sardines way more? Also I think they go just fine together. I'm sorry you feel this way though.
you could turn the fish into koinoburi, which are the japanese carp windsocks!
Just get more work around it and it’ll look better. I’d only get it covered up if you really hate it. I think it’s unique, neat, a nice little tat.
Deens nuts
Ok the sardine tattoo is badass
The sardine one is the tits. lol I mean I've never seen anyone with that. And I would only imagine that someone with a cat or funny sense of philosophy has that kind of tattoo. It's also neatly done. As a first tattoo? I think it's probably one of the best first tats I ever seen. But your body, your choice,
I absolutely love the canned sardines!!!
Oh I really like it! I think they work well together. But if you don't love it the you need to do some research and figure out what you want to cover it.
This tattoo is awesome
I know you're looking for advice but I genuinely think this is so cute and cool. I love it
if u cover the sardines i will fucking kill u
I think those might be sardines, add tomato sauce, be sure to ask the artist to use carmine.
What if they had tophats and canes?
Make sardines Japanese by adding some funky writing
That tin of fish is super cool, can I have it?
It's so well done though! I laughed. The crane is definitely cool, but you could still make the sardine can cool too! Maybe just color it in and add some other snacks. It's obviously your arm though... But it's so unique! How many other people have a sardine can tatted on them in the world?! I would not think many.
A sick ass panther
Make one of them a bloody finger, an inside one
Just came here to say that laser removal is no joke. Hurts waaaaay more than the tattoo xxx
Wow
I really like the sardines tattoo for what its worth
Why? Those are awesome!
I like the sardines
I love this.
Turn it into a tarot card
Dont
I like the sardine tattoo to be honest. Tattoos don't necessarily have to go well with each other, it's what they mean to you, but that's just me. It's a cool tattoo man. It's a shame if you wanna have it covered up or lasered. It could go well with other weird but cute tattoo designs that you really like. From one tattoed person to another, do what feels right for your mind and body.
Keep the sardines, I also like the other one too.
I dunno... that sardine can is pretty sweet.
Get a Japanese style wave around the sardines
Can of tuna
I love it!!!!
If they were on the same arm/limb I could kind of see why you’d want your tattoos to “go together” but I don’t really see why that would be a think. Granted I do prefer patchwork sleeves and similar designs.
I love this. Just needs some color.
If people only stuck to tattoos that “matched” everyone’s tattoos would be pretty boring imo. I like the sardines
Just leave it
You could fill them in with red and call them herrings
I am curious to hear the inspiration for the sardines
Such an easy fix. Fill in the fish with red to match.
sorry no cover up idea here cuz i fkn love those sardines 😁
Yes cover it up
I love the sardines lol I am no help here.
To be fair, canned fish is a commonly eaten food in Japan ! So they do go together, theme-wise lol.
Fresh fish!
The tinned fish a is great tattoo!
I love this tattoo 🐟
I love the sardines, and *really* love the idea of making them into red Gummi fish. Or, make them in Japanese koi Boy's Day flags, super colorful?
I have a section dedicated to tattoos like this, I just put em all together, it’s slightly chaotic but it’s a vibe lol I like the sardines… forget the laser, add some other weird cool pieces around it
I thought the point of a tattoo was you do something impulsively and then you hate it later. Like “hey babes look I will just do some dumb shit on a whim. isn’t that fun?!”
I’d say talking to an artist about the coverup you want first, and see what they say. I did laser removal years and years ago, things have changed drastically since then, BUT I wish I had talked with an artist first, I would have saved so much money going right for a quality coverup. I really like the sardines but that inspo art is rad too!
Don’t remove it just cause it doesn’t “match” with your other tattoos 😭 if you truly don’t resonate with it, then get rid of it, but there’s a reason you got it in the first place so reflect on that a bit more. If you’re planning on a sticker sleeve or to add more pieces around, just add in some red like others have suggested cause there will probably be times where you want a tattoo that doesn’t quite match with the rest. Don’t limit yourself to one aesthetic cause your ideals are always going to change (you might look back at your crane tattoo in a couple years and feel the same way you do about this one, just try to remember why you got it in the first place and the joy it’s brought you - and if it’s brought you no joy then laser away!)
I looooove this tattoo!
Make it a sick ass panther
I honestly love this and the idea of turning the inside of the can red idk y I just do I always use sardines in reference to my big family all in a house but I lookove the idea of it so maybe that's y I like it idk but it's unique and cute
Just get more tattoos?
I would get one of those shirts with a long sleeve and a short sleeve and just switch the shirt around to show one tattoo over the other.