How to Paint Graffiti

It’s often said that the beginning is the hardest part of any endeavour.

This statement holds true in sports as much as it does in painting graffiti.

In this tutorial, I’ll help you master the art of painting graffiti in four easy-to-grasp steps.

By the time we finish, you’ll be able to graffiti a piece from start to finish.

Step 1: Background

Before you start painting graffiti, it’s good to know how to choose the best background colours.

The background is part of your graffiti piece, and it can affect the outlook of your graffiti once you finish.

As a rule of thumb, choose a background that either blends or complements your graffiti piece.

It shouldn’t steal attention from the main elements in the graffiti.

If you want the background to blend, go for a colour similar to one of those in your graffiti.

If you want it to complement, go for a background that contrasts with the colours of your graffiti.

I prefer using grey almost all the time because it is neutral and can work well with light and dark colours.

Step 2: Can Control

When it comes to graffiti, spray cans are your tools of trade.

You need to know how to hold the can, how to spray, and the difference between cans and caps.

Hold the can the same way you hold a spray perfume, with your index finger at the cap and the other fingers supporting the can.

When spraying, shake the can for 5 to 10 seconds, then point it straight to where you want to paint.

Try not waiver the can side to side because it might spray to the direction you don’t want.

Keep the can 5 to 6 inches away from the wall. If you keep it too close, the paint might concentrate at one spot then drip.

If you keep the can too far, the paint might spread over a broad unwanted area.

Step 3: Letter Style and Structure

The third step you need to learn is how to style your graffiti.

As a beginner, it’s best to start by painting simple-styled letter combinations.

For instance, try painting the word “Ace” the same way you would write it.

With time, you can calligraph to add some style and flair to your letters.

There is no specific way to styling graffiti.

You just need to find your style by experimenting with different calligraphy fonts.

Step 4: Colour Fill and Extra Pizzazz

The trick to painting good graffiti is to give it extra styling, or as I like to call it, extra pizzazz.

Once you learn how to style your letter, you can add extra pizzazz by painting an outline, a highlight, a drop-shadow and, of course, giving it a 3D look.

It’s best to work with big blocks of letters so that you can fill them up with colours, add fades and other elements to make the graffiti more appealing.

How Do You Paint Graffiti?

Here’s how you paint graffiti in 4 steps…

1. Paint the background first.
2. Learn can control.
3. Letter Styling.
4. Colour and fill in.

You now know the basics of how to paint graffiti. Go out and try painting a piece yourself.

It might not be that good at first, but with time and practice, you’ll get the hang of it.