Colors can be broken up into two groups those being additive and subtractive color. Additive color, is color from light that doesn’t need to bounce off of anything to be seen. When additive colors mix they all combine to make white light. This white light can be directed into a prism and you’ll be able to see all of the colors on the visible spectrum. Subtractive colors are a little different though, in this category, light comes from the source, hits the object, the object absorbs all of the colors except for the one we see. The color it doesn’t absorb gets sent out back into the air and into our eyes, allowing us to see that particular color. Because this process causes light to be absorbed, the more colors we mix, the darker they become, eventually becoming black.

Most graffiti artists know about drop shadows, but few take full advantage of their power. If you're learning how to do graffiti, you probably started placing your shadow close to the letter. That’s a great foundation—but it’s flat, and lacks the same impact as what we’ll recommend.

Try this instead:
Push your drop shadow farther away from the letter structure. This creates a stronger illusion of depth, making your letters appear lifted off the wall. Also, doing this mimics a cast shadow (a far more dynamic shadow as seen in the picture above). In the video example shown in the video, we see how the increased distance between the letters and the shadow instantly makes the graffiti look more three-dimensional.

Also, don’t always use hard edges for your shadows—go with a fuzzier, softer shadow in areas you want to appear further from the wall to make it feel more realistic. Think about how light works in the real world: shadows get softer and blurrier the further they fall from the object.

If you're trying to learn graffiti or take your skills to the next level, mastering your color fills is essential. A well-executed fill can make your graffiti pop, show off your letter structure, and give your piece real visual impact. In today’s guide, we're breaking down three powerful tips on how to do graffiti fillings the right way. Whether you're new to the game or a more experienced writer looking to level up, these tips will help you understand how to color graffiti using real design principles and color theory.