Hey everyone!

[Branny212]

So I have just joined this forum because I have been looking for somewhere where I can get advice and knowledge for the future tattoos I would be interested in getting. Anyways the reason I have joined today is because I have been trying to find a design to show my 3 footprints; Italian, Australian, and Canadian. What I have been looking for is two cross flags, one being Italian, and one being Australian, with a background Canada flag. Anyways if anyone has any ideas or designs, I am interested to see!

[LadyGabe]

Welcome!

Where are you based in the world?

With any tattoo, the best thing to do is locate a quality artist, who specialises in a style you like (colour realism / traditional / neo trad / black and grey realism etc...), then get in touch with them regarding your idea.

A tattoo artist is there to help create a design for you, you have no need to turn up with an exact design for them to copy, that is probably the worst thing you can do (and personally I feel that any tattooist who cannot custom create something of their own is someone to be wary of).

You will need to provide the flag references, and explain how you want it, and if they are happy to do it, you pay a deposit, book a date and they create the design ready for your appointment.

They may even have some additional creative ideas to add to the design to make it better.

So basically my advice is to locate an artist you like, do plenty of research to know they put out quality work, and go from there. :)

[Graeme]

Welcome! @LadyGabe gave some solid advice there, but I'd also recommend looking at ways you can make the ideas you have a little more visually interesting. I'd suggest looking at traditional flash because a lot of those designs incorporate flags in interesting ways. There are hundreds of examples and variations on this, but here's one nice example that I found through Google. This is from Becca Genne-Bacon at Hand of Glory in Brooklyn:

Or you could look at other ideas entirely of how to represent the idea...can I suggest kangaroo fighting a beaver fighting a bowl of spaghetti?

[tatB]

maybe uses pieces of each flag to inspire a design. canadian maple leaves, australian stars, italian ???? italy is a tough one...

[LadyGabe]

can I suggest kangaroo fighting a beaver fighting a bowl of spaghetti?

This. Just this.

[LadyGabe]

Don't forget "trash polka"...

this is why I used etc... as I could have mentioned watercolour, dotwork and so many others there are these days! Didn't want to say too many to confuse the poor guy :)

[LadyGabe]

They never really translate well over electronic communication, especially sarcasm! Doesn't help I am incredibly dense too...

[CaptainMidnight]

Welcome! LadyGabe & Graeme have some awesome advice. Find a stylistic influence you like, a tattooer who you "click" with, and some good ideas & reference and go to town! Traditional American is a great source to draw on for flags, and there is so much awesome flash out there to start from.

Kangaroo with boxing gloves fighting a beaver with a hockey stick on top of spaghetti all covered in cheese.

[idyllsend]

I second Graeme's suggestion, including the kangaroo fighting a beaver fighting a bowl of spaghetti...

As a Canadian I really hate the Canadian flag/maple leaf as a tattoo. It's just super cheese and usually worn by dude-bros...I don't care how well it's done, I'll always hate it on skin.

[el twe]

Bottle of grappa, can of Foster's, bottle of maple syrup?

[Branny212]

Alright, thanks everyone for the ideas and info haha, btw I'm located Vancouver island, so I'll look around for a good place where I can talk about figuring out a tattoo to get

[Shaun1105]

Check out Gastown Tattoo in Vancouver. They have a wide variety of artists, someone will suit you I'm sure.

Unfortunately Matt Houston is leaving there and moving to Amsterdam. He is, however, doing walkins on Saturdays July 5th, 12th, Aug 9th, 16th & 23rd. If I were you I would make myself available one of those days and get there early.

[Graeme]

@Branny212 If you're anywhere near Victoria, I would recommend going into Government Street Tattoo and talking with them, especially if you want to go traditional.

GOVERNMENT STREET TATTOO - VICTORIA BC

Tattoozoo in Victoria will also give you a great tattoo.

Black and Blue Tattoo in Nanaimo is also a really great bet if you're more up island.

[El Dolmago]

@Branny212 If you're anywhere near Victoria, I would recommend going into Government Street Tattoo and talking with them, especially if you want to go traditional.

GOVERNMENT STREET TATTOO - VICTORIA BC

Tattoozoo in Victoria will also give you a great tattoo.

Black and Blue Tattoo in Nanaimo is also a really great bet if you're more up island.

As @Graeme mentioned Government Street are fantastic ... Lots of good choices if you want to go on the mainland too.