Graffiti is an often criticized art form. It is often considered vandalism in certain states if not done in the proper area, so before you go out and start tagging different areas of town with your newest art, make sure that you do it in a legal area so you don’t damage private property or get arrested. If you want to prove the world wrong that graffiti isn’t a tasteless art form and that there is some skill involved in tagging walls and buildings with lettering and designs, you have to learn the basics.
Where to Graffiti
Almost every city and town have an area that’s designated for graffiti artists to practice their craft. Unlike gang tagging that usually just marks territory for other gangs, graffiti artists want their art to be prominent and tasteful instead of quick and pointless. Contact your local city officials or local college campus art departments to see where your city has that’s safe to tag without getting in trouble. Most cities have something like a wall or park that’s safe to graffiti in. If the lack of permanence of your piece is bothersome, you can always set up canvases in your garage to practice your skills.
What You Need
There aren’t too many tools that you need to make graffiti. Obviously, the most important tool in your arsenal will be paint. Paint adds all of the color and life to every graffiti piece that’s put up, so picking the right colors and having enough variety will be essential. Head down to your local hardware store and pick up any and all of the colors you think may be useful. Most spray paint cans can be purchased for $1 or $2 a can. But for the better quality paint that won’t run as easily, you can expect to pay extra.
You’ll also want to pick up some letter stencils from the store when you’re first getting started. Letter stencils will help you trace wording onto the wall without worrying about making any mistakes. On your way out, grab a backpack. Try and get a backpack that you can dedicate to your graffiti art. Paint is messy and having a backpack you’re willing to trash and sacrifice is important.
Practice
You’ll want to study all of the graffiti in your area so you can get ideas for how you can design your own graffiti. Practice your designs at home on paper before you take them to the streets. Practicing on paper with a pencil and eraser is the best way to build up to the big times. Try painting on a canvas for your first stab at spray painting. Get a feel for the type of paint you’re using as well, as different spray cans spray at different distances. It can take years to master the art of graffiti, but with enough time and dedication, you’ll be able to master it before you know it.
