Street art as a tool

for expression

Manual

The manual on street art is an outcome of a youth exchange project Street art as a tool for telling

social messages made within EU Youth in Action programme and taking place in Tukums county and

Riga, Latvia, during August 4–13, 2012.

In eight days of active work during the exchange young-

sters discovered and discussed different types of street

art and tried to use them in practice for expressing social

messages. Insight into poster, grassroots comics, stencil,

graffiti and sticker art was provided, as well as

workshop on formulating messages has taken place.

Youngsters participated and led their own workshops in

Riga and in open air workshop festival Give&Get in Krape

old manor park.

On whole in the project there were 25 participants from five countries

– Bulgaria, Latvia, Malta, Poland and Slovakia. The whole learning

process was non-formal with a space for creativity. The living during the

youth exchange was like in a commune with its creative ambience and

with preparing everyday meals by participants themselves. The last

played a substantial role for intercultural learning dimension – another

goal of the project.

As outcome of the project this handbook about street art as tool for

communicating social issues is published. We offer here to have an

insight what we have done and how to do it in step-by-step guide, as

well as we have added extra visual information and hopeful tips. Also we

encourage you to search for step-by-step guide videos online as it

helped us so much. Be creative!

Introduction

- 3 -

Street art as a tool for expression or

Is there such a thing as street art

Looking for an answer what is street art requires speaking about both art and street. That requires having a plenty

of time and space. We may try to keep it reasonably short, almost bullet-point short.

It may seem that we step in new topics too fast, but let’s take it as granted that art itself is a way to tell messages.

It is a way of expression. However, sometimes there is art for art’s sake (l'art pour l'art – a principle formulated

by Theophile Gautier); sometimes – and more often so – art is a way in which to communicate some idea. Through

times the last purpose had had the dominant role, and nowadays more than ever art tells its stories and shares

different meanings.

With no will to step deep in postmodernism theory there can still be added that piece of art after its development

or creation more likely lives its own independent life and acquires new meanings. Each new meaning actually is each

interpretation – each very specific way how viewer interprets the particular piece of art.

If art is a tool for telling social messages it is important that the signs (the message) are understandable and

readable for viewers. The success would be dependent on how well-considered the visual appearance of the

message is. Although art is open for diverse interpretations there are cases when misinterpreted visual units can

give distinct or even opposite message. Again it should be taken into consideration and decided by artist – whether

the idea or form is more important in particular case.

As stated before in the context of street art the form is what embodies visual appearance and it can consist of

images, symbols, words or mix of these elements. Presumably images give the widest space for different interpreta-

tions, while words have a potential to be better understandable (if chosen according to idea which desirably should

be communicated; choice of language understandable for viewers is also important). Symbols would fall in category

in between as they tend to be unambiguous but different contexts or nuances can change their meaning and give

place for new interpretations.

So let’s leave art aside and have a look on what the street in context of

street art is. It definitely is an urban environment. Street in little village

where everyone knows each other doesn’t fit there, the aspect of strange

people, many passers-by and alienation from most of people around is

important. It is kind of widened notion of street as if it daily is only constant

element around; thus meaning familiar streets, buildings, infrastructure in

opposition of familiar people.

- 4 -

Although street art can appear in any space apart the street, too, and still be art – a tool for communicating

some message; there are some important aspects missing for instance conditional anonymity of an artist,

unexpectedness, wide and diverse audience. The last two aspects put in other words means that not the viewer

chooses it, rather piece of street art chooses to be viewed in particular place and time (of course, initially it is

choice of an author, although later it is not one’s choice anymore – the unit of art is to stay). Street art is public

phenomenon; its appearance is common for everyone passing by, it is actually impossible just to go by it. That

means that also message is communicated. Even if the idea is not perceived by viewer, message’s form more

likely would be noticed and the fact of some message given recognized.

Tell the difference! New interpretation of Stop sign and some sticker art in Vienna, Austria

Contribution of many. Some slogan and a lot of random texts in Pristina, Kosovo

- 5 -

Kind of inevitability of street art brings us to the next issue which is its legal status. Although lately street art is

acknowledged in art world and even brought to art galleries, it is used as part or whole commercial campaign of

different companies there are still many who would disagree. It is understandable as the quality of street art

matters and usually it appears on the street unpermitted. Although some municipalities sometimes assign some

block or buildings for street art it often doesn’t seem appropriate enough for an artist to express the message.

It restricts the initial idea as what is around also matters, there can be too little audience or even some guidelines

given.

The largest part of street art by most of people nowadays seems to be treated as vandalism though. Put together

with inevitability of happened fact of street art it raises a question what is more unacceptable for society: the form

or the idea. Most of art in some way challenge one’s values and so does street art, but it is not viewers choice to

have their values challenged as street is public space. It is kind of art which is forced on, so it can be summed up

that street art sometimes display clash of public space and private values.

Stencil drawing in Valmiera, Latvia

Of course there are also street art with very little artistic value (form) and with no clear or with unimportant

message (idea) behind it which is more a way to show off rather that communicate idea to audience. However

artists cannot be stereotyped in any way. Among people who create street art there are people who work in field

of art daily, there are hooligans, losers and unattended youngsters and there are people who just have something

to say and there is no way how to put them in some frames. Each one can create valuable and thought-out piece

of street art and usually the author remains anonymous to most of people who are actual audience.

- 6 -

Different forms of Street Art Riga, Latvia

In the context of particular project we speak about street art as visual art, but for sure street art also can be

combined media art; and it could be (and it is) discussed if performing arts also can be street art. Although

opinions are divided, for sure visual art in urban setting is considered as street art including spray paint and

marker pen graffiti, stencils, posters (wheat-pasting), sticker art, wood-blocking, yarn bombing, mosaic tiling, as

well as street installations and video projections.

Basically street art affects not only a viewer but also makes changes in setting, in urban landscape. Even though

street art primary makes physical changes it also influences opinions of viewers.

In this project street art is a tool for telling messages and source for inspiration, aid, something what attracts

attention. We don’t really claim to create art; we even don’t demand street. The main aim is to tell what is

important to us and street art is a tool which we use to fulfil this aim; and it may happen wherever we could find

somebody who hears and sees what we are about to express.

Liene Rozenburga, project coordinator

Beat Generation, Brno, Czech Republic

- 7 -

StENCILSStencils are used quite a lot as street art technique. It may

take some time to prepare one, however technique allows

to be transformed easily thus making it exciting beginning

in street art. Also one template can be used many times.

For stencil preparation drawing skill is optional necessity

because foremost patience and skill of visualisation of the

final product is needed. However stencils also have many

different templates available online, so it can be printed

and used adding just some original text to express the

message.

Stencils can be used as a part of interior design, as

well as they are often sprayed on different walls

and fences. Stencil can be easily used for t-shirt

design or be sprayed on canvas bags and other

textile surfaces.Workshop

2 to 4 hours. Time depends of age and difficulty level of the stencil – text or drawing, original or borrow-

ing, how many colours are planned, how many details.

Time of workshop:

Materials:

A4 papers

Pencils

Permanent markers (different density)

OHP film or any other transparent plastic sheet

Utility knife

Working surface which cannot be destroyed by

cutting (some thick cardboard also can be useful)

Spray-paints

Paper tape or duct tape

Cardboard or plenty of old newspapers

Remember workshop participants may want to use

glows and face masks for safety reasons when

working with spray paint.

Plastic folder can be used instead of OHP film, just be sure

plastic should be quite firm. Also cardboard is an option, but

it will absorb paint, so it will not be durable for many

paintings in a row.

Stencil – Trash the TV!

- 8 -

Step by step

Step I - Create a message –

what you want to say.

Step II - Decide how you will transfer the message into stencil – would

you use text only, could it be expressed using symbols, or mix of the later,

is drawing necessary (as it makes process more difficult, nevertheless

looks nice when done accurately). Try to sketch different options.

Step III - Draw a final version of the stencil design in original size on A4 paper (or directly on cardboard if you do

not use plastic). Remember that stencil needs connection points from different elements of image to rest of sheet or

simply remember that you cannot cut out just silhouettes. [For example, when you cut out letter “A” made the design

that the inner triangle shape connects with rest of sheet; if you have face in the image and you should cut out eyes,

more likely you will cut out pupil and eyeball, and leave some connection of iris to the rest of the image.] Colour in the

parts which will be cut out and remember that exactly these parts would be final spray painted image.

Step IV - Put an OHP film or plastic on the drawing and using permanent marker redraw contours of parts which

should be cut out.

Step V - Take your time to cut

out stencil using utility knife. You

template should be finished after

this step.

We can’t do anything to change the world until

capitalism crumbles. In the meantime we should

all go shopping to console ourselves.— Banksy, Wall and PieceBansky

By Domke in GermanyAvenue Van Horne, Montreal, Canada

www.streetartutopia.comwww.streetartutopia.com

- 9 -

Step X - Leave the stencil to dry and do not put papers on it as the stencil is sticky. Use a plastic bag if you have

to carry it soon after.

Step IX - Carefully remove covers and stencil from the surface. You can do it as soon as you have finished

spraying.

Step VIII - Remember to shake spray-paint can before using, spray it from a distance (usually around 20 cm)

and press atomizer rather for several short periods than one long, as there would be too much of the paint otherwise.

Too much paint will drain and bleed damaging the image. You can also practice spraying on some papers to feel how

much you should press atomizer and how quick to move the can.

Step VII - You may need and want to cover the surrounding surface. Use the tape to stick covering newspapers

or cardboards. Newspapers are getting wet soon, so do not reuse them for other stencils and use multiple layers

of them.

You can use multiple colours to spray the stencil by layering paints. After

one layer wait some time for first layer to dry (at least 10 minutes) and

check it before spraying new layer. You can also combine stencils –

pictures can be combined or some text added to the picture.

You can make stencil poster or stencil sticker

as well. Just spray the stencil on paper or

sticker label.

Step VI - To spray paint the stencil be sure that template is close fitting to surface. You can use adhesive tape

to fix it.

- 10 -

Graffiti

Good quality graffiti is very spectacular and beautiful, but it takes a lot of time of practice (and a lot of

spray), so graffiti can be challenging and pretty expensive. Some drawing skills are needed as well as practice

on spray drawings. They are usually sprayed on vertical surface which feels way more different from drawing

in sketchbook.Graffiti also can be used in interior design as well as outdoors on different walls and fences.

There are many different drawing techniques and all of them are graffiti. One can draw a picture, even very

realistic one; others would prefer some text (usually up to three words) and there are endless possibilities in

letter design. There are bubble like letters and sharp edgy letters, and everything in between.

At least 5 hours. The time of drawing process

depends on size of the group as graffiti may be a

group project, interconnections between group

members, previous skills and size of the drawing.

A4 papers

Pencils

Eraser

Markers (different density)

Colour pencils or markers

Spray-paints

Different size atomizers

Workshop

Materials:

Time of workshop:

Remember workshop participants should use glows and

face masks for safety reasons when working with

spray paint.

By Mau Mau

www.streetartutopia.com

The step-by-step guide is provided for text graffiti. However we encourage

you to explore different kinds of graffiti online in advance.

- 11 -

Step by step

Step I - Create a message –

what you want to say.

Step II - ecide how you will transfer the message into graffiti.

Remember the graffiti text usually is short (up to three words), so the

context and the placement of the graffiti may add some extra meaning,

as well as sudden topicality of the issue. [For example, graffiti with

text No to violence would have deeper meaning in a place where some

assault recently would have happened.]. Consider the place where

graffiti would be painted – space, surface, colours around. [If surface

is uneven you may need to even it out in advance; also wooden surface

would absorb colour quickly, so it is better to prepare it covering it with

coat of non-absorbent varnish.]

Step III - Make different sketches of the chosen text using different fonts. You can start the sketch with

simple letters and during sketching make them bolder (first you write, then you draw). Apply some specific

style or create one. Vary the line thickness, add shadows, add dimension like details or any other elements.

You will have to erase a lot during the sketching – it is part of the process.

Step IV - When you have finished sketch, draw over the lines

with marker.

Step V - If you want to be sure about your sketch you can

make a backup copy before adding colours. Just palace the

empty A4 paper on the original and draw over the lines. In

good lightning using regular paper lines must be visible.

by Alexey Menschikov

www.streetartutopia.com

www.streetartutopia.com

Step VI - Add colour to your design. Better use colours

similar to spray-paint colours, thus it would be closer to reality.

Also remember that often less is more and gradient colouring

and layering may not be that easy in reality.

- 12 -

Step VII - When you have finished the idea the work can start. On the prepared surface start with outlining

the sketch so that you will get sure that there will be enough space. For outlining it is better to use the lightest

colour from the ones you are going to have in the image and work with light hand. Remember to shake

spray-paint can before using and spray it from a distance (usually around 20 to 25 cm). Make it as simple

as possible.

Step VIII - If more

people are working

on the image it is

time to divide the

space and the tasks

(in what area what

should be painted).

Step IX - Start recreating the sketch design on the surface. Change different atomizers for different areas

as there are atomizers which would make it easier to cover large and plain areas and atomizers which would

be essential for finer details. Press atomizer for several shorter periods rather than one longer as there

would be too much of the paint otherwise. You can also practice spraying simply on some papers to feel

how much you should hold atomizer and how quick to move the can. Too much paint will drain and damage

the image. Do not layer on freshly applied paint.

It is worth to practice on cardboard boxes or just to create the first graffiti on

cardboard. Also the wall like structure can be built from the boxes as working

on vertical surface is different and it is good to get used to it.

You can combine graffiti with stencils or just prepare

a background for the stencil drawing using

spray-paints. Remember the base layer to dry before

adding stencil.

Revolutionary street art in Tunisia

by David Zinn- 13 -

Stickers

Stickers often organically interflow into city setting, however can be used

for expressing thoughtful messages. Sticking is easy and quick which

makes stickers perfect for distributing messages all around the town.

Mostly stickers appear on electrical enclosures, gutters, traffic signs, posts as metallic surfaces are smooth

enough. However some people like stickers on their notebooks, dairies, paper coffee cups, mobile phones,

and laptops, as well as on other private items.

Making sticker can be challenging as some computer skills may be needed, as well as graphic design applica-

tion. The strength of the technique is the same reason – digital format allows printing and multiplying

stickers as much as wanted.

Workshop

1.5 to 3 hours. The time of sticker preparing process depends of chosen motif of the sticker and

computer skills of the participant.Materials:

A4 sticker paper

Transparent adhesive paper

Access to a computer with picture editing application (Adobe

Photoshop, Paint, DeviantArt Muro, Splashup etc.)

Access to a printer (the one with colour ink is preferable)

Scissors

Pencils

Photo camera

Time of workshop:

Step by step

Step I - Create a message – what you want to say.

Step II - Decide if sticker would be text only (would it be some

slogan, pun or question, or something else and how it communicates

the message), would the sticker include graphic shapes only or it would

be based on drawing or photo editing. It defines next step.

- 14 -

Step III–If you rely on text or simple graphic shapes you can start to design the sticker on computer. Consider what

the text you are going to use. Be sure that the text font is readable and consider language – what languages

know the target audience to which you approach. Use as little text as possible.

–If you want to draw and feel better doing it by hand, you will need A4 paper, pencils and scanner. Make a

sketch of your sticker design. If you also add text it can be designed in sketch version or just typed on

computer. Just be sure what text you want and be short. After finishing scan the sketch.

–If you want photo based sticker you may need photo camera to take a photo yourself or you may need

internet to find appropriate picture online. Be specific how you want your sticker to look like and take only

photo you need. Make it clear how you want to edit it. Plain photo in sticker looks pale and obscure; perhaps

higher contrast and brighter colours would be needed. Consider text you may want to add. Upload photo to

computer.

Step IV - Edit sticker sketch on computer according to

your idea. Feel free to play around a bit to see how it looks

the best. Change brightness, contrast, colour depth, add

shadowing, try different fonts and backgrounds etc.

Step V - Copy picture to print more

stickers at one time. Consider if you use full

sheet label or sheet with multiple sticker

labels. For later you may need to use text

editing programme (e. g. in MS Office Word

Mailings/Labels) to place sticker image into

the each label.

Step VI - Save and print.

Step VII - Cover the sticker sheet with

transparent adhesive paper. It would make

design more durable.

Step VIII - Cut out the stickers.

You can make stencil sticker also. Spray the

motif on sticker paper and use it as a

sticker.

- 15 -

Wall poster comics

A bit less known but nevertheless interesting street art technique is grassroots comics or comics who are

distributed on streets as posters. Grassroots comics are special because they are made by people in

community rather than by campaign or art professionals. The drawing skills are not important but the

message is! Grassroots comics not only allow distributing certain message but also involve local society in

the process of making them.

The wall poster comic is a story which is told

visually in four parts, so it is a compact format.

2 to 5 hours. The time of drawing process

depends of age and involvement or partici-

pants. Before drawing the posters, partici-

pants should have knowledge about the topic

posters will be made (like HIV/AIDS,

recycling, intercultural dialogue etc.)

A4 papers

Pencils

Pens (different density)

access to a copying machine

WorkshopTime of workshop:

Materials:

Step by stepStep I - Create a message - what you want to say with your story!

The message should be written in one sentence and should be specif-

ic. Note that message is not the same as slogan.

Step II - Create a story. Story should be four or five sentences long.

Read the story to your fellow activists and ask their feedback.

Note that story shouldn’t have too many characters and/or

complicated action.

- 16 -

Step III - Make a visual manuscript – draw small sketch how the comic will look, what will be in each

of for quadrant.

As a trainer you don’t change the stories of participants but explain different

techniques what can be used to show their story.

Use as little text as possible.

Never explain in the text what can

be seen in the drawing.

Remember this should be a sketch only, there is no

need to overwork the drawing.

Step IV - Final artwork process

1) Make your pencil sketch

2) Draw the outlines of your sketch

with a thin-line pen

3) Erase all pencil marks from the

drawing

4) Finish the drawing, add solid

black, textures and detail

- 17 -

music

slight hand movement

direction and motion

pain in the thumb

Putting up wallposter comics in the community

If you put up the

wallposter in a dry

area, you can tape

them together from

the back, and pin

them on the wall.If you put up the wallposter on a wall outdoors it is better to

paste the pieces directly to the wall.

Drawing movement, sound and other effects

Drawing expressions

speed lines

rolling movement

- 18 -

The wallposter measurements

The two parts should be glued together with a 0,5-1 cm overlap.

This material had been prepared using manual “Grassroots comics – a develop-

ment communication tool”. Authors Leif Packalen and Sharad Sharma.

- 19 -

Youth against AIDS (YAA), Latvia“Youth against AIDS” (YAA) is a non-governmental youth organization that

involves young people, aged 15-30, as volunteers. The organization’s focus

and primary long-term goals relate to the involvement of young people in work

with their peers, educating them about HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted diseases

and other issues which relate to one’s health and one’s lifestyle. YAA seeks to

change lifestyles so as to reduce the spread of HIV/AIDS in our country.

IYAC Bulgaria is a non-governmental oranization set in Bulgaria. It was

establieshed in the year 2009 by a group of students for the University

for National and World Economy in Sofia. Since then it has been expanding

and now icludes more than 50 members, all of them young people, the

majority of whom are students.

International Youth Activity Centre-Bulgar-ia (IYAC Bulgaria), Bulgaria

Organisation AY is a non-profit organisation, non-political and is run on

voluntary basis based on the human resources of its members and on the

support of other resourceful persons. AY Mission Statement – To enhance youth

empowerment, social inclusion and the acceptance of cultural diversity through

intercultural learning.

To empower young people AY work through non formal education by creating a

framework where young people will become aware of their skills and hidden

talents. Then AY encourage young people to develop their ideas and initiatives

into concrete projects. In fact in AY youth policy is “commitment through active

participation” based on learning by doing. Most of the time organization adopt

methods such as open door policy & open space technology.

Active Youth (AY), Malta

PARtners

The organization is working since 1997, organising educational and informational activities such as

workshops in schools and youth centres, discussions, summer camps and street actions, as well as

informational activities in popular night clubs and festivals.

YAA is sending, hosting and coordinating organization in EVS projects.

One of their main activities is related to the “Youth in action” program. IYAC Bulgaria has taken part in

more than 2 hundred youth exchanges for the past two and a half years in more than 15 European

countries including UK, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Romania, Turkey etc. IYAC Bulgaria gives

young Bulgarians, especially youngsters with social problems and financial difficulties, the chance to visit

- 20 -

Mladiinfo Slovensko, Slovakia“Mladiinfo Slovensko” was established by ex-EVS volunteers in 2010 as the first branch of a Macedonian

NGO Mladiinfo (www.mladiinfo.com). It is a non-profit organization supporting students and young people

with information about scholarships, internships, conferences and voluntary opportunities. All the informa-

tion can be find on the web site www.mladiinfo.sk and in the organization’s office in the student dormitory

in Bratislava. Students can find there all kind of useful information from different organizations and institu-

tions. “Mladiinfo Slovensko” cooperate closely with international student’s organizations such as AEGEE,

AIESEC, BEST, ESN, IAESTE, OIKOS, ŠP etc.

Staromiejski Dom Kultury Twoim Domem, Poland

Old Town Culture House does not aim at stunning ( but expensive!)

events, but at positivist educational workshops, where apart from

artistic, solid work, a participant is provided with huge dose of

knowledge and skills. Mission of Old Town Culture House is

visualized by our logo: drawing of brain placed in symbolic

building.

Old Town Culture House elaborated own work method based on

harmonious coexistence of professional artists and amateur

movement in various age groups. It leads to smooth transition of

most talented amateurs to professionals.

Despite significant artistic successes , Old Town Culture House is most proud with it’s educational work.

Staromiejski Dom Kultury (Old Town Culture House) also organizes various cultural events like e.g. :

Summer Scene, Korowod – Meetings With Early Dance, Poetic Manifestations, International Jazz Festival

etc.

- 21 -

Youth exchange project “Street art as a tool for telling social messages”

Šis projekts tika finansēts ar Eiropas Komisijas atbalstu. Šī publikācija atspoguļo vienīgi autora uzskatus, un Komisijai nevar uzlikt atbildību par

tajā ietvertās informācijas jebkuru iespējamo izlietojumu.