Styles of Graffiti

There are many different styles of graffiti that show off different techniques. These include : ​

• Tags​

• Throw-ups​

• Blockbuster​

• Wildstyle​

• Heaven or Heaven-spot​

• Stencil​

• Poster or paste-up​

• Sticker or slap​

• Piece​

• 3D​

Tagging is a form of graffiti that involves writing or drawing a signature, nickname, or symbol on a surface, often using spray paint or markers. The purpose of tagging is to leave a mark or signature on a surface as a way of claiming ownership or territory, and it is often done in highly visible public spaces, such as walls, trains, and buildings.​

Tags can take many forms and can range from simple, single-colour signatures to elaborate, multicoloured designs. They can also include letters, numbers, or other symbols that hold personal meaning for the tagger. Tags are often seen as a form of vandalism, as they are usually created without the permission of the property owner and can be difficult and costly to remove.​

In graffiti culture, tagging is considered the most basic and fundamental form of graffiti, and many artists start with tagging before moving on to more complex and elaborate forms of graffiti art.​

Throw ups are a form of graffiti that involve quickly writing or spraying a stylised version of a tag or signature, often using two or more colours to create a simple outline or shadow effect. They are usually larger and more elaborate than a tag, but less detailed and time-consuming than a full-blown graffiti piece or mural.​

Throw ups are often done quickly and with minimal preparation, as the goal is to create a recognisable mark or signature in a short amount of time. They are typically created using spray paint, and can be found on a wide range of surfaces, including walls, buildings, trains, and other public spaces.​

In graffiti culture, throw ups are often seen as a way of marking territory or competing with other graffiti artists for recognition and respect. They are also considered a form of vandalism by some, as they are often created without the permission of the property owner and can be difficult and costly to remove. However, many graffiti artists view throw ups as a legitimate form of urban art and a way of expressing their creativity and identity in public spaces.​

Blockbuster graffiti is a style of graffiti that involves large, bold letters or designs created using spray paint or other materials. The letters or designs are typically filled in with solid colours or simple patterns, and the overall effect is often intended to be eye-catching and visually striking.​

The term "blockbuster" refers to the large size of the graffiti, which is often created on large, prominent surfaces such as walls or buildings. Blockbuster graffiti is often used as a way of making a bold statement or sending a message, and it is often created with the intention of being seen by as many people as possible.​

Blockbuster graffiti is a popular style of graffiti that has been around since the 1980s and 1990s, and it continues to be a popular form of urban art today. While some people view it as a form of vandalism, others see it as a legitimate form of public art and a way of expressing creativity and identity in public spaces.​

Wildstyle graffiti is a complex and highly stylised form of graffiti that is characterised by intricate lettering, overlapping lines, arrows, and other design elements that make the letters difficult to read or decipher. Wildstyle graffiti often incorporates 3D effects, shadows, and other illusions that create a sense of depth and movement within the piece.​

The term "wildstyle" refers to the freeform and improvisational nature of the style, which often involves intricate layering and improvisation as the artist creates the piece. Wildstyle graffiti is often used as a way of showcasing the artist's technical skill and creativity, and it can be found on a wide range of surfaces, including walls, trains, and other public spaces.​

Wildstyle graffiti originated in the 1970s and 1980s as part of the broader hip-hop culture in the United States, and it has since spread around the world as a popular form of urban art. While some people view it as a form of vandalism, others see it as a legitimate form of public art and a way of expressing creativity and identity in public spaces.​

A "heaven spot" is a term used in graffiti culture to describe a highly visible and hard-to-reach location, such as the top of a building, a freeway sign, or a bridge support. These locations are often considered desirable targets for graffiti artists because they are highly visible and can be seen from a distance, allowing the artist's work to be seen by as many people as possible.​

The term "heaven spot" originated in the New York City graffiti scene of the 1990s, where artists began to focus on finding and painting these hard-to-reach locations as a way of showcasing their technical skill and creativity. Since then, the term has become more widely used in the graffiti community, and the practice of seeking out and painting heaven spots has become a popular challenge among graffiti artists around the world.​

While some people view heaven spot graffiti as a form of vandalism and a danger to public safety, others see it as a legitimate form of urban art and a way of expressing creativity and identity in public spaces.​

Stencil graffiti is a form of street art that involves creating a design or image by cutting out a stencil and using it to spray paint the design onto a surface. The stencil is usually made by cutting out the design from a piece of paper, cardboard, or other material, leaving behind a negative space that can be used as a template for spraying the paint.​

Stencil graffiti can take many forms and can range from simple designs to complex, multi-layered images. The use of stencils allows the artist to quickly and easily create a design or image that can be repeated in multiple locations, and it is often used to create political or social messages, pop culture references, or other forms of artistic expression.​

Stencil graffiti has become a popular form of street art in recent years, and it has been used by a wide range of artists around the world to express their creativity and make a statement in public spaces. While some people view stencil graffiti as a form of vandalism, others see it as a legitimate form of urban art and a way of beautifying and enlivening public spaces.​

Paste-up graffiti, also known as "poster graffiti" or "wheat-pasting," is a form of street art that involves creating a design or image on a paper or other material and then pasting it onto a surface using a type of glue or paste.​

The paste-up is created by printing or drawing a design onto a piece of paper, cardboard, or other material, and then using a type of glue or paste to affix it to a surface such as a wall, building, or other public space. The paste-up can be any size or shape, and it can be easily removed or covered over by other graffiti artists or by the property owner.​

Paste-up graffiti has become a popular form of street art in recent years, and it is often used to create political or social messages, pop culture references, or other forms of artistic expression. While some people view paste-up graffiti as a form of vandalism, others see it as a legitimate form of urban art and a way of beautifying and enlivening public spaces.​

Slap graffiti, also known as sticker graffiti or sticker bombing, is a form of street art that involves creating and posting adhesive stickers in public spaces. The stickers are usually created using a vinyl or paper material, and they can feature a wide range of designs, including logos, slogans, characters, and other forms of artistic expression.​

Slap graffiti stickers can be easily printed or handmade, and they can be posted on a variety of surfaces, such as street signs, mailboxes, lamp posts, and other public spaces. The stickers can be used to convey political or social messages, promote bands or other artists, or simply to showcase the artist's creativity.

Slap graffiti has become a popular form of street art in recent years, and it is often used as a way of expressing identity and individuality in public spaces. While some people view slap graffiti as a form of vandalism, others see it as a legitimate form of urban art and a way of beautifying and enlivening public spaces.​

Piece graffiti, also known as "masterpiece" or "production," is a form of graffiti art that involves creating a large and elaborate artwork using spray paint on a public surface, such as a wall or a train car.​

The term "piece" is short for "masterpiece," and it refers to a highly detailed and well-executed graffiti artwork that may incorporate complex designs, vibrant colours, and intricate lettering. Piece graffiti often requires careful planning, sketching, and preparation, and it may involve the use of multiple colours and layers of paint to create a three-dimensional effect.​

Piece graffiti has become a popular form of urban art in many cities around the world, and it is often used to make a bold artistic statement or to showcase the artist's technical skills and creativity. While some people view piece graffiti as a form of vandalism and a danger to public safety, others see it as a legitimate form of artistic expression and a way of beautifying and enlivening public spaces.​

​3D graffiti, also known as "anamorphic" or "trompe-l'oeil" graffiti, is a style of street art that uses optical illusions to create the appearance of three-dimensional space on a flat surface.​

The artist uses techniques such as shading, perspective, and colour gradients to create the illusion of depth and dimensionality, making the artwork appear to pop out from the surface when viewed from a specific angle. The result is an eye-catching and often mesmerising piece of street art that can seem to defy the laws of physics

.​

3D graffiti has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many artists using the technique to create large-scale murals and other public artworks. The style is often used to make a bold artistic statement or to draw attention to a particular issue or cause.​