Why Graffiti Mentors Might Be Holding You Back
When entering the world of graffiti, one common thing many new artists feel compelled to do is to find a mentor. Graffiti mentors are often seen as essential guides to improving skills, learning the ropes of the graffiti community, and navigating the unspoken rules of the culture. But are graffiti mentors really as crucial as they’re made out to be? In this blog, we’ll break down why many graffiti mentors fall short in their teaching and how you can still thrive as an artist without one.
Why Seek Out a Graffiti Mentor?
Before diving into the critique of graffiti mentors, it’s essential to understand why beginners seek them out in the first place. Typically, aspiring graffiti artists look for mentors to:
Improve their skills: Beginners often recognize that their letters or techniques aren’t at the level they aspire to and believe a mentor can bridge the gap between novice and advanced artistry.
Learn the social dynamics of graffiti: Navigating the graffiti community, whether legal or illegal, can be daunting. Many look for mentors to introduce them to the scene, teach them the unspoken rules, and help them connect with other artists.
Where Graffiti Mentors Fall Short
While the idea of mentorship sounds promising, most graffiti mentors fail to deliver on the most critical aspects of teaching. Here’s why:
Focus on Style Without Fundamentals
Many graffiti mentors emphasize style over substance, encouraging their mentees to imitate their unique approach without explaining the “why” behind it. For example, they might suggest filling negative space or adding extensions without teaching the core principles like balance, flow, or structure. Without a strong grasp of fundamentals, mentees become reliant on copying their mentor’s style rather than developing their own.Lack of Formal Teaching Ability
Most graffiti mentors don’t come from a background in art or education, and their advice is often surface-level at best. When asked deeper questions about fundamentals such as line, shape, value, or space, many mentors struggle to explain their decisions, leading to frustration and stagnation for their mentees.Risk of Socializing in Illegal Graffiti Circles
While mentors can help newcomers network within the graffiti community, this can sometimes lead to unintended consequences. For those who engage in illegal graffiti, as you begin painting with more and more people, your risk of getting caught or getting snitched on increases as well.The Internet Provides Better Learning Resources
With the wealth of information available online, many of the benefits a mentor might provide—like technique advice, or inspiration—can now be found through online tutorials, books, and communities. Platforms like YouTube, blogs, and eBooks often offer structured, high-quality guidance that many mentors fail to provide.
The Role of Fine Art Fundamentals in Graffiti
One of the most overlooked aspects of graffiti education is the importance of general art fundamentals. Skills like line, shape, form, value, color, texture, and space are the building blocks of any art form, including graffiti. Surprisingly, most graffiti mentors don’t know, and as a result, they don’t emphasize these concepts, leaving their mentees with a shaky foundation, or in most cases, no foundation at all.
This is where seeking guidance from fine art teachers can be game-changing. Fine artists are trained to break down complex concepts into actionable steps and provide meaningful critiques that lead to measurable improvement. While these teachers may not specialize in graffiti, their knowledge of art fundamentals can significantly improve your skills and give you the tools to develop your own unique style.
When Graffiti Mentors Are Useful
That’s not to say graffiti mentors are entirely useless. They can be incredibly helpful in:
Introducing you to the community: Mentors can help you understand the ethics and rules of graffiti, such as respecting other artists’ work or understanding the importance of certain locations.
Teaching techniques: Some mentors excel at breaking down techniques like can control, paint layering, or using specific tools.
Building connections: For those looking to network within the graffiti community, a mentor can be a great resource for meeting other artists and forming friendships.
Thriving Without a Mentor
If you’re unable to find a mentor—or if you’ve had a bad experience with one—don’t worry. There are countless resources to help you grow as a graffiti artist:
Online Tutorials: YouTube channels and online forums are excellent sources of free advice from experienced graffiti and fine artists.
Practice: The best way to improve is through consistent practice. Focus on fundamentals, and be sure to study as well. So long as you do that, you’ll be able to make progress that will help you while experimenting with your style.
Fine Art Courses: Consider taking courses in drawing, painting, or design. These will teach you skills that directly apply to graffiti, such as understanding composition, contrast, and depth.
