Graffiti Defined

From this release I've looked up the definitions of many graffiti words and I thought I would share a few here - seems appropriate, don't you think?!  So here are a few terms you can add to your vocabulary which will especially come in handy for the next Graffiti Party project you'll show off!  LOL

This is directly from Wikipedia and you can soak up more at these links:

Graffiti

Graffiti Terminology

graffiti (singular: graffito) - is writing or drawings that have been scribbled, scratched, or sprayed illicitly on a wall or other surface in a public place.

black book - a graffiti artist's sketchbook.

tag (scribble) - a stylized signature, normally done in one color. The simplest and most prevalent type of graffiti, a tag is often done in a color that contrasts sharply with its background. Tag can also be used as a verb meaning "to sign".

throw-up - a throw-up or "throwie" sits between a tag and a bomb in terms of complexity and time investment. It generally consists of a one color outline and one layer of fill-color. Easy-to-paint bubble shapes often form the letters.

one-liner - a tag, throwie, or bomb written in one constant motion.

straight letter - also referred to as "straights", "blockbusters" and sometimes "simples" are a direct, blocky, more readable and simpler style of graffiti.

wildstyle - graffiti with text so stylized as to be difficult to read, often with interlocking, three-dimensional type.

hollows - also referred to as "outlines" and "shells". A hollow is a piece of graffiti that contains no fill.

backjump - a quickly executed throw up or panel piece.

bomb - to bomb or hit is to paint many surfaces in an area.

heaven spots (or shorter as heavens) - pieces that are painted in hard-to-reach places such as rooftops and freeway signs, thus making them hard to remove.

paint-eater - an unprimed surface such as raw wood or concrete that eats up standard spray paint.

crew - a crew, krew, or cru is a group of associated writers or graffiti artists that often work together.

writer - a practitioner of writing, a graffiti artist.

head - similar to a king or queen, a "head" is a writer who has much skill and a high reputation among other writers in his area.

knight - a respected writer whose skills are still progressing.

rook - trusted member of a crew.

angels  - famous or respected writer who have passed away.

up - writers become up when their work becomes widespread and well-known.

soak up - to consider other pieces for inspiration. 

So with that under our belts, I have a little extra inspiration for you to soak up.  :D

by Barbara