How to Become a Graffiti Artist: Complete Beginner’s Guide
How to Become a Graffiti Artist: A Beginner’s Guide
If you're brand new to graffiti and wondering where to start, this post is for you. In this guide, based on our latest video, we’ll walk you through how to start doing graffiti, what tools you need, the difference between a graffiti artist and a graffiti writer, and what it takes to go from a beginner to a king or even a legend in the graffiti world.
Step 1: Just Start Drawing
Every graffiti journey starts with a name. Don’t overthink it in the beginning. If you need a name, check our list here. Pick something fun to write and start sketching it out. Whether you’re drawing tags, throwies, or full pieces, the key is to enjoy the process. At this stage, it’s not about perfection — it’s about passion. All you need is a pen and paper to get started, and you can begin trying out a name. Don’t get me wrong, fundamentals are important, but at this stage, we simply are doing graffiti with the intent to see if it’s a good fit for us. We aren’t in any rush to get good, we’re exploring both the art and the community, so don’t focus on progress unless that’s 100% your goal.
Step 2: Difference Between Graffiti Artists and Writers
Many new graffiti enthusiasts don’t realize there’s a distinction between a graffiti artist and a graffiti writer. A graffiti artist practices the art form in a legal or private way, often sketching or painting with permission. A writer, however, takes the art to the streets — tagging, bombing, and painting illegally. While every graffiti writer is an artist, not every artist is a writer. This distinction is important as you decide how you want to engage with the culture.
Step 3: Learn the History of Graffiti
To truly understand how to do graffiti, you need to know where it came from. Watch Style Wars, read Subway Art, and look into legendary graffiti pioneers like SEEN, CAP, Futura, Zephyr, and Chino. Many old-school figures laid the foundation for the graffiti culture we know today. Respecting the history of graffiti is crucial, especially when choosing a name. Using a legendary writer’s name without knowing it can come off as disrespectful to the community.
Step 4: Think Twice About Joining a Crew
Crews can be great for community and collaboration, but they’re not always necessary, especially when you’re just starting out. Many graffiti crews are tight-knit groups built on trust, but others can be chaotic or even risky to be involved with. Focus first on developing your style and skill. If a solid group forms naturally around you, that’s the time to think about creating or joining a crew.
Step 5: Practice the Fundamentals of Graffiti
Once you've built some experience within the community and you're ready to take it seriously, it's time to study graffiti fundamentals. Learn how to build letters, practice your can control, understand color theory, and study structure and flow. These foundational skills separate casual hobbyists from skilled graffiti artists. You’ll find tons of graffiti tutorials on our YouTube channel that break down each element of graffiti design — and our Ultimate Graffiti Guide Book goes even deeper with hundreds of illustrations and step-by-step lessons.
Step 6: What It Takes to Be a King or a Legend
Being a king in graffiti means dominating a specific area with consistent, high-quality pieces. But this title is earned — either through community recognition or undeniable presence and skill. On the other hand, becoming a legend requires impacting graffiti on a global scale. Whether through groundbreaking style, cultural influence, or iconic feats (like Saber’s LA River piece), legends push the boundaries of the art form for the entire world to see.
Want to Take Your Graffiti to the Next Level?
If you’re serious about learning how to make graffiti for beginners and developing your style, check out our Ultimate Graffiti Guide Book. It’s the only book on the market that teaches graffiti fundamentals in immense detail, walking you through the process of creating your own unique style.
