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How to Make Your Own Graffiti Styles

Although most graffiti artists have their own tags, they are often written using a traditional graffiti style. Wicked style, funk style, and philly tall style are all styles that artists work in, and many of the tags in major cities are heavily influenced by these styles. Many artists, however, aspire to create their own tagging style that escapes definition. This is not an easy task, and it can take years to develop and perfect a style.

Things You'll Need

  • Sketchbook
  • Markers
  • Spray paint
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Instructions

    • 1
      Developing your own style starts with research.

      Check out other graffiti styles that artists are using in your town, or look online at graffiti.org for the types of graffiti that people are creating around the country. Keep track of graffiti you like in your sketchbook.

    • 2
      An example of a tag.

      Develop your tag, the basic part of a graffiti artist's repertoire. It usually is a stylized drawing of the artist's moniker. Practice your tag several times in your sketchbook. Try different shapes for the lettering until you hit on something you feel is uniquely your own. When you get to that point, practice the tag until you can deliver it quickly and precisely.

    • 3

      Develop larger scale projects. This starts in your sketchbook. Keep a careful track of all your ideas, and use the sketchbook to develop color schemes, geometric takes on your tag, drawings of characters that you like, and more.

    • 4
      Use stencils for your art.

      Expand your skill set. Graffiti artists use stencils, wheatpaste posters, stickers to put their messages out there. Many graffiti artists use photocopy machines, projectors, or digital imaging software to aid in their designs. These are all tools that you can master as you develop your own graffiti style.

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