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Tricks for Graffiti Art

Graffiti can be defined as any type of inscription on a wall or rock but the image that comes to mind in modern times is the style first popularized in the late 1960s in New York City. This type of urban graffiti began when someone who used the name "Taki 183" began writing it wherever he went -- inside subway stations and on the subway cars. This came to be known as tagging and became a popular way to get your name recognized all over the city. As more people started tagging, the amount of graffiti in the New York City subways and stations exploded.
  1. Sketch it out First

    • The graffiti artists of the 1970s often sketched out their designs. These artists would collaborate and even take on apprentices to teach them their art. Using a grid can help to plan out how the completed design will look and how it can be transferred to a larger work area. Some graffiti artists even sketch a grid onto the brick wall where the final design will be. Characters and colors that will be used in the final drawing should be selected during the sketching phase.

    Lines and Borders

    • Outline letters in black.

      Graffiti writing is an artistic rendition of letters. The letters are often drawn in balloon shapes but can also be painted as wild swirls or another design. The thickness of each line in the outline may vary. The outlines are generally done in black ink or spray paint and the insides colored in vibrant shades.

    Spray Paint

    • Spray paint is a tool for graffiti artists.

      A can of spray paint is one of the main tools that a graffiti artist uses. Learn how to adjust the nozzles of the can so that they can be used for each line and effect. The spray paint is also used to create the tag, as the artist's name or nickname is referred to in graffiti lingo.

    Be Original

    • Originality is the key to memorable graffiti art. Do some research to ensure that your ideas are unique and not something that you have noticed on community murals or on other graffiti sites. Using someone else's designs is called biting someone's work or ripping off their style and is not acceptable among graffiti artists.

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