Spray-paint Art Techniques

Graffiti is often considered art.

Spray-paint art, also referred to as "graffiti art" or "street art" is when spray paint is applied to a building or mode of public transportation (like a subway car) in a decorative manner.

Tagging

Tagging is when the artist's signature is spray-painted onto a surface. It can be simply or highly artistic, such as written in calligraphy. The signature doesn't have to necessarily be the artist's name, but can instead be a nickname the artist has applied to himself.

Wildstyle

This type of spray-paint art is more intricate and detailed than tagging. Letters, words or images are connected at certain points in the image. Sometimes the overall image is even indecipherable because it is so complex.

Pieces and Throwups

A piece, short for "masterpiece" is an intricate image that uses a lot of different colors. Pieces tend to be impressive, but can be ruined by a "throwup." Throwups are large images that are painted quickly and utilize no more than three colors. An artist would paint a throwup over a piece if he were competing with the piece's artist.

References

• Visual Arts Cork: Graffiti Art
• Graffiti: Stowers