Graffiti Workshop - Resourcing Mission

Graffiti Workshop
Iain Campbell
Why Graffiti?
Art can be transformational for individuals and
communities, in both the processes of creating and
enjoying the end results. However many people have
been stuck with the idea that they can’t draw from an
early age. Stencil graffiti, with its careful advance
planning, enables participants to be confident of a very
good, eye catching, well-executed result, without the fear
of having to rely on drawing ability. People can feel very
proud that they have created a piece of artwork for the
first time in a long time, and that they were able to
express themselves through the medium.
Stencil graffiti started in Latin America - you may be
familiar with Che Guevara’s face as a revolutionary
symbol. I started running stencil-graffiti workshops 10
years ago, when street-artist Banksy had started making
headlines in the UK.
The aesthetic of the graffiti workshop guarantees a
striking result, and this workshop is a good confidence
builder. If you plan to do further art with people, this
would be a good way to start.
You will need:
 A well ventilated or outdoor venue.
For the stencils:
 Laminator and laminating pouches
 Scalpel knife
 Cutting mat
For planning graffiti:
 A3 paper
 Paper versions of all the stencils, printed at 50% size. 1
copy for everyone.
 Scissors
Getting Started
Many people struggle to think of an idea, but if they are
restricted to a limited set of images and vocabulary they are
forced to make creative decisions which speeds up the
creative process, while still allowing enough possible
combinations to allow every participant to create
something unique to them.
Before starting it is worthwhile considering a theme. It
could be overtly spiritual, or a community, seasonal or
topical issue, or tie in with other events or themes being
explored in the life of the church.
 Glue sticks
For graffiti:
 Spray Paint: matt black
 Hardboard –cut into 60cm squares (large DIY stores
will do this for you)
 Emulsion paint, in a variety of colours
 Paint rollers and trays
 Stencils
You will also need:
 Latex gloves (advisable)
 Dust masks (essential)
 Large tarpaulin
 Cable ties
 Drill
 10mm drill bit
 Hammer
 Nails, washing line and pegs
 Talc
Making Stencils
In advance of the workshop, make all your stencils. Print
images, letters, and words of your choice on to regular
printer paper and then laminate all the sheets to prevent
damage and make them much more durable.
To save printer ink, print letters and words as outlines
rather than in solid black. The Ariel Black font at size 330pt
is clear and a good size. Print each letter on a separate
sheet then adapt the font for stencilling by adding the little
lines through the letters before cutting.
Any image can be converted into pure black and white in
programs like Microsoft Word in the picture format
options. Then cut out the black areas with a craft knife,
ideally on top of a cutting mat, although a piece of thick
cardboard can be used if a mat is not available.
Preparing Boards
First, drill holes in the corners of all the boards using a
10mm drill bit, 2cm from the corners. The holes allow the
boards to be connected together at the end of the
workshop. Give each board a coat of emulsion paint,
preferably use light or mid-tone colours (not too light or
dark). This is a great way of using left over emulsion from
home decorating projects! Mid-tone colours work best as a
contrast to the black spray paint. At the end assemble the
boards into a complete wall with cable-ties.
People tend to be conscious of getting in each other’s way
or overlapping someone else’s work, which tends to leave
big gaps in the wall with no artwork. Using individual
boards also allows people to take their work home with
them once the display is over.
Spraying Paint
Good ventilation is absolutely essential, and, if possible
work outside. Supply dust masks to all participants. People
should come in old clothes that they don’t mind getting
paint on.
The spray painting should be done lightly at a distance of
about 15-20cm and at a 45 degree angle. Use scrap paper to
mask off the bits of the board that aren’t getting sprayed.
The actual spraying can be quicker than the planning. Once
the boards are finished they can be displayed as a wall by
using nails to hang the top boards and attaching boards
below with cable ties.
When spray paint has been used on the stencils they need
to be completely dry before being stacked together. A
washing line and clothes pegs are ideal for drying the
stencils. Once dry, lightly talc them all afterwards, which
Planning Graffiti
helps prevent them sticking together when putting them
away.
If possible have finished examples made in advance, so
people can see and understand as the workshop starts
what they are trying to create.
Each participant needs a sheet of A3 paper (cheap
photocopy paper is fine) which they need to cut down from
a rectangle to a square, approximately 30cm long and wide.
This will be half the size of the hardboard.
Using the 50% scale printed versions of the stencils, people
then select images and letters, cut them out, and arrange
them on paper, once they are happy with the arrangement
sticking them down. The workshop leader should work with
everyone to help them consider design possibilities.
Self-Expression
Art is first and foremost, self-expression. Making beautiful
images is a secondary consideration. If beauty becomes the
primary consideration then it leans towards entertainment
rather than art. While this is perfectly fine, we need to be
clear what we are trying to achieve in the workshop.
People can make political, faith-based or personal
statements through this medium, and the nature of stencil
graffiti lends anonymity to the work of individuals, which
can be very empowering.
Alternatives
If it is a problem to use spray paint with the stencils
permanent markers make a good low-budget alternative
and also avoids the fumes of the aerosols.
Photocopies of images and words can also be combined in
decoupage for similar results. This can be done at any scale,
from postcard to poster.
About the author
Iain Campbell is Mission Development Worker for the West of Scotland, and has also worked as an art teacher, youth worker,
and artist.