Thursday 14 October 2010

Steps For Graffiti Painting


Before embarking on Graffiti Painting, one should be aware that there is a thin line between vandalism and graffiti. Only when one is safely on the right side of the law, should any kind of creative liberty be assumed through Graffiti Painting.
Painting Graffiti is an art of big scale. Its grandeur is enhanced by the size of the image. Stark and bold colors, along with the fonts, those themselves are an art form of their types. These are the hallmarks of Graffiti Painting.
Steps for Graffiti Painting.
o Subject. Choose the subject for your graffiti painting and starkly demarcate the shadow areas. Graffiti painting works only when one has clear chiaroscuro effect. Draw a small-scale image of the subject of your graffiti, taking care that there is not too much detailing. Subjects for beginners should appropriately be inspired from the artwork in comics. The fonts and rendering in comics make for a great beginners' work.
o Coloring. Once you have outlined your graffiti sketch on a small scale, its time to fill in colors and imagine the entire work on a large scale. What looks awesome on small size, does not essentially translate into a large-scale graffiti work, neither is there a foolproof way to judge that. However, its this uncertainty only that makes the process of Painting Graffiti an evolutionary one.
o Outlining Work Area. Outline your Graffiti work area into a rectangle, using charcoal or white diluted paint. You can use a string to mark out a rough grid on the work area. Using charcoal, transfer the small-scale model onto the work surface.
o Background. Once you are done with outlining the work surface, spray a diluted neutral colored paint (White or Pale Cream) using aerosol can on the large areas of your Graffiti Painting, which are to be painted with dark colors. You may also use Paint Rollers to fill in symmetrical areas with colors. Make sure to spread a very thin layer of paint initially. The painted area should be left to dry for at least an hour.
o Coloring. Using aerosol cans filled with different colors, start with large areas of your Graffiti Painting, and move on slowly to small areas. Do not let the can's nozzle linger on for more than three seconds at one place, as this would lead to the dripping of paint (of course, if that's the effect you want then carry on the drip way).
o Fine Defining. Use fine brush and paint (preferably Emulsion) to bring out the fine lines and the effects of your graffiti painting.
o Preservation. If you want some longevity for your graffiti painting, spray it with a thin layer of varnish. You are done with your graffiti painting.
One very important fact of graffiti painting is its idea, its central motive. If you are not excited by an idea or by the colors, or by drawing the initial sketch, it's suggested that you do not venture into this activity. Art without madness is no fun!

Sunday 3 October 2010

Street Poster Art - Free Flowing Graffiti on Paper

Street Poster Art - The Concept
Poster Art secures an important position in the world of Street Art. It is actually Graffiti done on paper. While most of these posters are 100% handmade, some are digital designs as well. Moreover, being a basic art form this genre stayed in the local street corners and roads rather than sitting pretty inside a gala museum or gallery. While experts often debate about the contemporary side of such works, many artists find it the most 'modernist' of styles with free expression.

The History
During the 1870s decade, the streets of fashion city Paris were literally transformed into the graffiti artists' paradise. Rich street artworks graced the region. The wave also welcomed the initial paper form of advertising as Street Poster Art. Even other cities, like Milan (Italy) and Berlin (Germany) appreciated the Post-Graffiti styles and encouraged street artists.

The Details
Street posters are displayed on slick or smooth surfaces, mostly walls, by sticking them with the help of wheat paste or gum. The art pieces belonging to Post-Graffiti or Contemporary Post-Graffiti genre admirably have a higher distinctive status than the 'rude' Graffiti or Vandalism. This global art style is especially popular in the urban and the suburban regions of the Eastern and Western countries. Interesting and unique Street Poster Art has found fame among some of the greatest artists.

The Correlations
Street Poster Art does connect with Graffiti and the other forms, like Wheat Pasting, Stencil Graffiti, and Sticker Art. This Post Graffiti Art form has a distinguished contemporary style, different from the local Graffiti or Vandalism.

The Artists and the Artworks
Street artists have shown a cheap and affordable way to produce and display artworks meant to connect primarily with the common public. Exhibition 'Street Art' held in 'Washington Project for the Arts' (1981) displayed work by renowned American artists, such as John Fekner (born 1940) and Lee Quinones (born 1960). Even the art exhibition held at the prestigious Tate Modern Hall in England clearly indicates that the artworks found on the street are not necessarily graffiti.

Interesting and unique Street Poster Art has found fame among some of the greatest artists. Distinctly accomplished Italian poster masterpieces can be witnessed in many prestigious museums and galleries like the International Poster Gallery in Boston, USA.

Conclusion
Most famous in the US, Street Poster Art has also gained sufficient momentum in Australia and Japan. France, Germany, Ireland, Spain, Brunei, New Zealand, the UK, Canada, and Iran too are the lead contributors to the genre.