learning objective: through sketching, to develop ideas ... · through sketching, to develop ideas...

Learning Objective:Through sketching, to develop

ideas and techniques for artwork

with stylised graffiti lettering.

What do you think of when you hear the

word graffiti?

Graffiti polarises opinion. People feel strongly about it. Which of these words do

you most identify with graffiti?

Art vandalism

beautifulexpressive

uglycriminal

gang-related

free

politicalinteresting

attractiveChaotic

MessyAntisocial

Although it is seen by many

people purely as vandalism, some see graffiti as

an art form, too.

What words would you use to describe graffiti?

What makes it distinctive from

other art forms?

What equipment and materials are used?

Why do people make graffiti?

People have always made graffiti to

express themselves. It is a way of saying:

“I was here.”

Historians have found graffiti on the

walls of buildings of many ancient civilisations.

By I, Rémih, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7229768

By User:Continentaleurope, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46826543

Left: Carved graffiti on an Ancient Egyptian

tomb.

Below: 18th century graffiti on a prison

wall, Malta.

People do things to show they were at a place, to remember an event that happened there, or for good luck.

Have you seen things like this in your local area?

‘Love locks’ have been attached to

this bridge by lovers to bring them good luck..

Where is it OK to make graffiti art?

It’s only OK to make graffiti art in places where you have permission. It’s illegal to do it on another person’s

property unless they’ve said you can.

Graffiti artists, like other artists, keep their ideas in sketchbooks. Do you have a

sketchbook? It is a great place to develop and improve your

ideas for art work!

Graffiti often features text. It can be anything, but it’s often the artist’s ‘tag’ (the name they go

by, or their initials).

This type of graffiti is called a ‘throw up’. Really good ‘throwies’ have colourful, outlined bubble writing with

interesting patterns, highlights, shadows or decoration.

Some artists distort the lettering until it’s

almost unrecognisable, creating interesting

patterns. This ‘throwie’ in Bristol is of the artist’s name.

  © Copyright Neil Theasby and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

© Copyright Robin Drayton and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence