In this article, we’ll take graffiti art to mean wall art drawn with spray cans in public places. This is necessary to avoid confusion, for graffiti art can also be taken to mean an act of vandalism in a very general sense.
But when I was taking a closer look at the origins of graffiti art, it appears that this art form didn’t appear out of nowhere. In fact, it has risen out of a need for expression from people who didn’t have the money and the means to participate actively in both the art and the music scenes.This urge or need to express became so strong that these people started creating their own art and music using what was available to them. And not much was available to them. So they turned to using their mouths (beat-boxing), scratching on tables (to simulate the scratching of records) and invented rap. Hip hop evolved out of rap music.
But the names and labels isn’t all that important. What’s more important is to understand the intent behind these art forms. What caused these people to invent hip hop music and graffiti art?
At the root of it is rebellion. There’s something that these artists are unhappy about, and they’re letting the world know about it. For instance, if you’re a fan of rap music, you’ll often hear some angry lyrics. It’s not within the scope of this article to discuss the source of anger. For now, it’s good enough to understand that rap and hip hop music stems usually stems from anger.Similarly, for graffiti art, rebellion is made known by creating wall murals in public places. Doing this is illegal but yet, many have done this and it does appear that graffiti art is now out of control.Artists worldwide have chosen this particular outlet to express themselves, to make sure that they’re heard. Graffiti art has been known to be a tool to get attention.But what has this strong urge to grab attention (so much so that artists have to risk their neck by spraying on walls illegally) got to do with hip hop music?Well, understanding the culture where hip hop music and graffiti music come from (and they come from the same source), one would guess that graffiti art could be the cheapest form of advertising (in fact, it’s free!). It’s the ultimate word-of-mouth marketing for the hip hop artists. And in essence, since both art forms represent the same dissent voices of the people of that culture, who’s to say or judge it’s wrong to create graffiti art?
How to draw graffiti on paper?
Learn the first step to creating great graffiti art with our excellent graffiti resources. Before you consider drawing graffiti on larger canvases such as walls, you need to master the skill of drawing graffiti letters and characters on paper first on a small scale, then worry about upsizing it!
Watch this video that shows an artist drawing graffiti on paper, then read the artice on creating graffiti art below.
How to Graffiti Alphabet Letters how to draw Graffiti Letters …
How to Graffiti Alphabet Letters how to draw Graffiti Letters on paper. How to draw graffiti letters, start by creating each letter of the alphabet to create your own graffiti alphabet, outlined in black and white.
How to sketch graffiti on a piece of paper.
Now read this …
Before embarking on Graffiti Painting, one should be aware that there is a thin line between vandalism and graffiti. Only when one is safely on the right side of the law, should any kind of creative liberty be assumed through Graffiti Painting.
Painting Graffiti is an art of big scale. Its grandeur is enhanced by the size of the image. Stark and bold colors, along with the fonts, those themselves are an art form of their types. These are the hallmarks of Graffiti Painting.
Steps for Graffiti Painting.
• Subject. Choose the subject for your graffiti painting and starkly demarcate the shadow areas. Graffiti painting works only when one has clear chiaroscuro effect. Draw a small-scale image of the subject of your graffiti, taking care that there is not too much detailing. Subjects for beginners should appropriately be inspired from the artwork in comics. The fonts and rendering in comics make for a great beginners’ work.
• Coloring. Once you have outlined your graffiti sketch on a small scale, its time to fill in colors and imagine the entire work on a large scale. What looks awesome on small size, does not essentially translate into a large-scale graffiti work, neither is there a foolproof way to judge that. However, its this uncertainty only that makes the process of Painting Graffiti an evolutionary one.
• Outlining Work Area. Outline your Graffiti work area into a rectangle, using charcoal or white diluted paint. You can use a string to mark out a rough grid on the work area. Using charcoal, transfer the small-scale model onto the work surface.
• Background. Once you are done with outlining the work surface, spray a diluted neutral colored paint (White or Pale Cream) using aerosol can on the large areas of your Graffiti Painting, which are to be painted with dark colors. You may also use Paint Rollers to fill in symmetrical areas with colors. Make sure to spread a very thin layer of paint initially. The painted area should be left to dry for at least an hour.
• Coloring. Using aerosol cans filled with different colors, start with large areas of your Graffiti Painting, and move on slowly to small areas. Do not let the can’s nozzle linger on for more than three seconds at one place, as this would lead to the dripping of paint (of course, if that’s the effect you want then carry on the drip way).
• Fine Defining. Use fine brush and paint (preferably Emulsion) to bring out the fine lines and the effects of your graffiti painting.
• Preservation. If you want some longevity for your graffiti painting, spray it with a thin layer of varnish. You are done with your graffiti painting.
One very important fact of graffiti painting is its idea, its central motive. If you are not excited by an idea or by the colors, or by drawing the initial sketch, it’s suggested that you do not venture into this activity. Art without madness is no fun!
