Basic Graffiti Vocabulary
http://graffiti911.com/types.php - Link includes examples of each type and more complete definitions.
Tag - The most basic form of graffiti, a writer’s signature with marker or spray paint. It is the writer’s logo, his/her stylized personal signature. If a tag is long it is sometimes abbreviated to the first two letters or the first and last letter of the tag. Also may be ended with the suffixes “one”, “ski”, “rock”, “em”, and “er”
- Art Crimes glossary
Slap/Sticker Tag - Sticker tags or “slap tags” can be useful to most graffiti writers. Whether the goal is quantity or quality stickers are a powerful tool. Because the time it takes to put up a sticker is minimal application is done almost entirely without observation. Easy to get rid of a writer can go out on the town with a stack of stickers and with little effort have marked a substantial area. For the more artistic writers stickers allow them to show their talent in visible places with little risk of detection. The time for creating the “art” can be done in the comfort and security of their home and then put up quickly. A detailed sketch or mini piece that would not be possible otherwise is within reach with the aid of stickers.
Throwup or Outline - Over time, this term has been applied to many different types of graffiti. Subway art says it is “a name painted quickly with one layer of spray paint and an outline”, although some consider a throwup to be bubble letters of any sort, not necessarily filled. Throwups can be from one or two letters to a whole word or a whole roll call of names. Oftentimes throwups incorporate an exclamation mark after the word or letter. Throwups are generally only one or two colors, no more. Throwups are either quickly done bubble letters or very simple pieces using only two colors.
- Art Crimes glossary
Bomb - Prolific painting or marking with ink. To cover an area with your tag, throwups, etc.
- Art Crimes glossary
One of the primary goals of graffiti vandalism is attention or “fame”; this fame is accomplished through having your moniker up in as many different places as possible to maximize the number of people who see it. Writers will often go on “bombing” runs or missions in which they attempt to put their name up in as many places as they can within a given night or time period.
Piece - A graffiti painting, short for masterpiece. It's generally agreed that a painting must have at least three colors to be considered a piece.
- Art Crimes glossary
This type of graffiti is where the argument for graffiti as art first gains traction. Usually a fairly large piece with multiple colors and often characters, a piece is not an impulse crime. It takes planning and preparation as well as strategic thought about location and timing. Writers will start by sketching and coloring their piece in their “black book”. Then they will scout locations that will allow them the time necessary to complete the piece without interference. This would mean a secluded spot with less visibility for an unauthorized application or a designated location for murals or legal graffiti.
Blockbuster - Big, square letters, often tilted back and forth and in (usually) two colors. Mainly invented to cover over other people and to paint whole trains easily, but they are effective on smaller walls for maximum coverage.
- Art Crimes glossary
Wildstyle - A complicated construction of interlocking letters. A hard style that consists of lots of arrows and connections. Wildstyle is considered one of the hardest styles to master and pieces done in wildstyle are often completely undecipherable to non-writers.
- Art Crimes glossary
Wildstyles take letter form and style to the absolute edge. With the added curves, arrows, and overlapping it can be nearly impossible for an uninformed viewer to read. The best writers will produce a style that even those familiar with graffiti can have a hard time deciphering.
Production - Productions are large pieces or murals that are collaborative efforts between a group of writers. There is often a character or theme to the image. Because of the large size and complex nature of these pieces they are rarely done illegally and are usually found on the wall of some sympathetic property owner or as part of a community project. Productions can also be used to advertise a business or product or to commemorate a memorable person or event.
Craola and SERK video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DP307poBCSo
Graffiti around Albuquerque
Basic Tutorials on Lettering Styles
http://www.videojug.com/film/how-to-do-graffiti-wildstyle
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/graffiti-styles-of-graffiti-writing.html
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/graffiti-styles-of-graffiti-writing.html
Basics of can control
Alternative Surfaces for Spray Painting:
Explanation and preparation tips for each surface included in the links.
Metal
Glass/Ceramics
Wood
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