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1
Overview
2
Heroes
3
Letterforms and style
4
Character creations
5
Color theories
6
Spray paint techniques
7
Master pieces and productions
8
Stenciling
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Application alternatives
10
Presentations
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OVERVIEW Graffiti has a truly unique style all of its own. Graffiti blurs the lines of what is or is not art by being part cartoon, part fine art, and part social statement. Drawing graffiti begins by learning the basics. Below are basic steps designed to help you begin. 1. Get acquainted with several types of graffiti samples Take pictures of graffiti characters you find in your surrounding neighbourhood. Develop a portfolio of them and study them. Next visit websites, download other graffiti characters and artworks and collect them. Become a student of how their creations. Study colour patterns and lettering designs. Copy their characters on paper until you can develop your own style. The practice will enhance your skill. Keep practicing. 2. Gather your tools Equip yourself with the right tools before starting. Make a checklist of materials that you would need like pencils, sketch pads, erasers, markers, colored pencils, brushes, paint in can, painting clothes, thinner and spray paint. 3. Find an inspiration To develop a master-piece first you must find an inspiration, a theme. What do you want your art work to say? Does it have a political message? Try searching the internet. Look at several pieces of graffiti art works posted. Observe the colour, the sketches, the lettering, and how all of it comes together. See the themes they use as a source of inspiration and determine to find your own 4. Practice on letters Draw names on paper. Make them big, bulky and make sure they have adequate spacing so they don’t look crowded. Then try colouring them. Also try several lettering styles. First determine the names you want to work on. Print these names with different font styles in your computer then sketch out the name. Apply different colour combinations, 3D effects, background settings, and shadings. Keep on practicing.
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OVERVIEW CONTINUED 5. Make sketches Once you have found your theme, translate this inspiration on paper. Make 2 or 3 sketches and find the best one. Visualize the entire graffiti picture. Focus your energy on the best one. Engross yourself and complete the sketch to the last detail. Use your coloured pens and make the picture come to life. Once you have completed your sketch you are now ready to transfer this into a medium. 6. Find a medium to work on We all agree that graffiti art can make a neighbourhood look unclean, cheap and not conducive to live at especially for little ones. So instead of finding another wall to do your art, try looking for other mediums canvases, clothing or like a piece of 4×8 plywood, an old car or wooden table. Let’s not get stuck with the norm. Who knows somebody might actually appreciate it and buy it from you? 7. Fill the design with paint Now that you have practiced several lettering exercises and have redrawn characters over and over again, you have now developed a concept on how to do your own work. After finishing you own original sketch, you are now ready to transfer it and use really paint for more people to see and appreciate. Again visualize the graffiti unto the plywood. Follow your sketch design and finish your upscale masterpiece. Continue sketching and painting. Continue to practice and practice. You will find your own originality as you gain experience and become more graffiti artistic.
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HEROES TASK SHEET Intro There are many different influences over styles and consequently career paths chosen i.e. fine art, design, and tattoo… Task Simply research the works of one artist that you admire. Explain why you chose him/her and summarize your findings in any medium in a way others can understand. Choose from the following or find one for yourself. AROE / RETNA / SCIEN / BANKSY / COPE / HARRING / SEEN / PONK / KREK / DREPH Ref: Magazines - Graphotism, books- street logos, banksy, Thames & Hudson publications (spray can / subway art) Tools: computer / Internet / pen / paper
HEROES EXAMPLE
RETNA is from Los Angeles and still lives there. His roots are black and Salvadorian. He started tagging in the late 80’s used to write mosez, started doing pieces in 1995 because it looked and felt good to him. Went to college and got into fine art side of his work in 1997 after meeting chaz and Meir 1 who had a huge influence on him. He belongs to crews named AWR, MSK and the SEVENTH LETTER COLLECTIVE. TSL stands for the letter G interpreted as GOD or GRAFFITI. Making a living from his art and still does illegal graffiti and continues to push his creativity. He collaborates with fellow artist MAC painting huge murals, their styles compliment each other. The text that Retna paints are done in his native Spanish and tend to be sayings told to him by his mother growing up or rap lyrics with powerful meanings. RETNA exhibits his work internationally and is world famous He has his own signature spray can, a book of works (with Mac) and is represented in many graffiti books as a pioneer to the art form.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QbDojGYkB7g&feature=related
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LETTER FORM TASK SHEET Intro A Letter is an element in an alphabetic system of writing. Each letter in the written language is usually associated with one sound in the spoken form of language. Letters come in many styles and shapes. Task Choosing any letter from the Alphabet in upper case you will firstly mimic that letter with cut out shapes of paper. Then make it your own by bending the rules before finally mounting and displaying your letter work to your peer group. Steps 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Cut shapes out of the colored paper provided Arrange shapes to form the basis of that letter of your choice Stick the shapes down and when dried Cut out shape again (optional) Copy your letter freehand or trace around shape with pencil Modify the shape of your letter until you are pleased with you’re creation. Try turning your letter around- it may look better as another letter?;) If necessary for your letter add negative space I.e. A, B,D,O,P,Q,R, this is optional Think you have finished creating your letter shape? Ask Tutor about LETTER STYLE TASK SHEET
Extra Several letters can create a meaningful word or name. Also an Alphabet can be created using the same method. More confidant? Try creating a your own unique hand written style Ref: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ki6rcXvUWP0 http://www.learngraffiti.net/turn_a_tag_into_a_piece.htm Tools: colored paper/scissors/pencil/rubber/marker pen /paper
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LETTER CONTINUED TASK SHEET When letter shape / style is established it can now be given the POW factor by the use of color and simple effects to make it more eye catching. The following examples will help you to add character to your letter 1 2 3 4 5
Fill your letter in favorite (solid) color Pattern inspired from something you’ve seen Decorate or incorporate things you like or are good at? Add effects such as cracking / sparkle / 3D Add background i.e. clouds / wall / splat
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CHARACTER TASK SHEET Intro Graffiti has a truly unique style all of its own. One of the ways that graffiti differs from most forms of classical art is in its stylistic depiction of the human form. This style blends pop culture motifs gathered from cartoons and advertisements with the rounded and blended style of airbrush illustration. Exaggerating the form and balance of the human figure can allow you to create compelling human characters in a graffiti style. Once this is learned, it can be a very addictive style. Task Choosing any cartoon character, then make it your own by adding your own accessories and clothing. Experimenting with styles. Steps 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
Source the right image of your favorite cartoon character from magazines or the internet Copy (or trace) the rough shape without details. Press lightly so it can be rubbed out if necessary Add your own clothing style i.e. fav trainers, skinny jeans Finishing touches accessories like jewelry, microphone Outline now with black marker before rubbing out pencil Photocopy to keep original safe, then experiment coloring Ask Tutor about Character References sheets.
 http://www.learngraffiti.net/graffiti_character_style.htm http://www.learngraffiti.net/b_boy_character_2.htm
Extra More confidant? Try creating a your own character and express your own individual style
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CHARACTER STYLES REFERENCE
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CHARACTER STYLES REFERENCE
Now try characterising anything you like objects or even letters
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COLORS TASK SHEET Intro There is nothing wrong with choosing a color because you like it because, after all, it is your work. However, when choosing a color you still want to make sure its use does not conflict with what you are trying to say with your work. Proper use of basic color theory can help you decide what colors match, as well as what each color makes people feel. Task Produce a color wheel and add color schemes to artwork you’ve created. Steps 1 2 3
Referring to the color sheet paint in primary colors Mix primary’s to make secondary color and paint inbetween the primary’s Explore complementary color combinations
Extra Apply what you’ve understood to your work Ref: color chart and combination theories Tools: poster paint / paper / pencil / ruler
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COLOUR PALLET
The wheel's construction is actually quite simple. You have your 6 basic colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Then, depending on which wheel you're looking at, you have extra, "inbetween" colors that are mixes of the basic colors. Primary Colors: Red, Yellow, Blue. These 3 colors are the base colors for every other color on the color wheel. This is why they're called "primary." When you mix two primaries together, you get a secondary color. Also note the triangular positioning of the primary colors on the color wheel, and how the secondary colors are next to them. Primary colors are useful for designs or art that needs to have a sense of urgency. Primary colors are the most vivid colors when placed next to each other, which is why you'll notice that most fast food joints use primary colors in their logos, as it evokes speed. Secondary Colors: Orange, Green, Purple. These 3 colors are what you get when you mix the primary colors together. They're located in-between the primary colors to indicate what colors they're made from. Notice how green is in-between yellow and blue. Secondary colors are usually more interesting than primary colors, but they do not evoke speed and urgency.
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COLOUR PALLET continued Tertiary Colors: These are those "in-between" colors like YellowGreen and Red-Violet. They're made by mixing one primary color and one secondary color together. There can be endless combinations of tertiary colors, depending on how they're mixed. Complementary Colors: Red and Green, Blue and Orange, Purple and Yellow. These are the colors directly across from each other on the color wheel. Don't let the name fool you, they rarely look good when used together. They're called "complementary" because, when used together, they become extremely vibrant and have heavy contrast. Complementary colors are useful when you want to make something stand out. For example, if you use a green background and have a red circle on it, the red will jump off the page and be almost blinding. Analogous Colors: Red and Orange, Blue and Green, etc. These are colors right next to each other on the color wheel. They usually match extremely well, but they also create almost no contrast. They're good for very serene-feeling designs and artwork where you want viewers to feel comfortable.
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Blue - cold, of the sky and sea - relaxes, instils calmness and harmony. If used in large blocks, blue can make a room seem larger. Ideal for bedrooms and bathroom, not recommended for areas requiring stimulation or keeping awake, such as area for entertaining. Red - of anger and danger - stimulates and promotes activities. In large blocks it seems to advance towards you, so can seem to make rooms smaller. Ideal in areas of activity as it quickens the wits and stimulates however it can be tiring for someone spending a lot of time surrounded by a lot of it. Not suitable where you need to relax such as bedrooms. Green - of nature - cleansing, instils contemplation. Ideal where you need to think such as in a study. Yellow - of happiness - brightens the mood, makes one laugh and smile, refreshing and promotes intellectual activities. It can make rooms seem smaller. Ideal where a 'bright' mood is required such as areas used for entertainment.
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CAN CONTROL TASK SHEET Intro Spray painting techniques come down to can control adjusting pressure and distance also using specialist caps help to apply the color evenly. Task Outdoors wearing a respirator mask practice how to apply paint evenly. Fill in various shapes on board (medium size) with supervision from tutor. Tools: board mdf / spray paint / caps ( blue dot / fat) Extra Once you are competent at basic fills it’s time to learn other techniques such as cutting in and fading from your tutor.
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MASTERING PIECES TASK SHEET Intro (master) Pieces take time to add as much creativity as possible. Try to incorporate characters / objects into your letters to be as dynamic as you can. Task Combination of several previous Tasks. Start by creating a design, add color scheme. Then transfer using spray paint / paint pen / fabric paint. Â Ref: Internet access, Graphotism, street logos, banksy, Thames & Hudson publications (spray can / subway art) Tools: computer / pen / paper / marker caps (variety) / spray paint / board (8*4) Note - Visual example
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MASTER PIECE EXAMPLE
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STENCILING TASK SHEET Intro Stenciling images produces a cleaner sharper finish. Task Produce image manipulated in computer. Under tutor supervision cut image where necessary. Spray paint though your creation. Steps 1 Source the image you want to use 2 Posterise it on the computer using photoshop. 3 Print image and cut out negative areas 4 Prep surface before application 5 Spray paint lightly thought cut stencil onto surfaceremember less is more in this case 6 Remove stencil carefully  Extra Try multi layered stencils adding more color and depth  Ref: Internet access, Graphotism, street logos, banksy, Thames & Hudson publications (spray can / subway art) Tools: computer / pen / paper / cutting mat / knife / card
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APPLICATION TASK SHEET Intro Graffiti art is not limited to just spraying paint on walls. Other mediums and surfaces can be experimented with. Task Transfer your design / character onto canvas using paint pens Extra Try mixing mediums / technique like spray painting the background / stencil? and paint penning design / character over top. Ref: Internet access, Graphotism, street logos, banksy, Thames & Hudson publications (spray can / subway art) Tools: spray paint / paper / tracing paper / paint pens
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APPLICATION CONTINUED Task Transfer your design / character onto T- shirt using fabric paint / pens. Stencils may be used also. Steps 1. Create piece / character / design 2. Make sure the outline is as dark as possible 3. Place design to board and put inside T shirt 4. Using preferred medium paint or pen transfer your design onto fabric 5. Once finished tee needs to be ironed to heat seal the design. Make sure you use some fabric between your iron and design otherwise it will be ruined. Tools Pencil / rubber / paper / ruler / masking tape Brushes / Fabric paint / fabric pens / board / T shirt Extra Transfer computer aided designs that are printing on special paper Then ironed on. Ask tutor regarding this.
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PRESENTATIONS SHEET Examples of how to present your work and to document your progress as follows • Photograph work and get others to photograph you doing the work • Mount finished works on boards • Black book (personal sketch pad) • Hang canvas on wall • Put pictures together using photostory • Video interview • audio