The (Street) Art of Stencil Graffiti

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Taking Art to the Streets

Stencil graffiti is growing in popularity worldwide. This street art can be a few simple words, or a grand scale art piece. Because it is cheap, quick, and easy, this style of graffiti has grown tremendously. Often the stencils express political and social opinions of the artist, or are simply images of pop culture icons. Stencil street art adorns public areas around the world. It has become part of urban living. Love it or hate it, stencils aren't going away soon.

About Stencil Graffiti 

Because stencils are prepared ahead of time, and spraying (or rolling) over them is quite quick, a street artist can make a detailed piece in seconds. And now, with the use of computers, it is easier then ever for street artists to create their masterpiece, often using familiar symbols and faces. This has all lead to an increase in the activity, exposing it to more and more people each day.

Stencil graffiti includes images or text cut into paper, cardboard, plastic, or other material such that, when painted over, the image is transferred onto the surface.

Political Commentary 

Political issues of the specific time and region are often the subjects of stenciled street art...a bit like political cartoons.

Change not coins by Joshua Rappeneker

Stop Wars by Joshua Rappeneker

Candies by fabbio

Paradme antes de que mate de nuevo by Daquella manera

Horny Bush by urban_data

Fuera Bush - Terrorista by blmurch

CIMG5996 by David Boyle

Piece Now by rickremington

Osama Bin Laden stencil graffiti by orangeacid

George Bush stencil graffiti by orangeacid

Stencil graffiti, Alamo Square Park by Salim Virji

Do the Abu stencil graffiti, Mission by Salim Virji

Change not coins by Joshua Rappeneker

i bet you'd vote next time, hippie by shioshvili

Speaking to U.S. by david drexler

Obama stencil by rick

Obama meets U.S. by david drexler

Ice Cream Bomb by matski_98

P1010003 by cudmore

Bush Oil Stencil by *USB*

USA by jemsweb

[Peace] is not a fashion statement by david drexler

Impeach now by borkur.net

I WANT YOU ! OUT! by CRLS

Stencil Pirates 

Stencil Pirates

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

Stencil Pirates is the first comprehensive book dedicated to stencil street art. Included are artist profiles, an in-depth history of stencil graffiti, its political context, and how stencils fit into the larger pantheon of street expression. Also here are a detailed "how-to" manual with designing, cutting, and painting tips from the artists, as well as 20 perforated cardstock stencil templates for readers who can't wait to hit the streets.

Vids 

These videos show a lot of stenciled street art. They show you some of the most famous marks, and even let you see them being created. Also, learn a bit about the artist themselves, like Banksy, and others.

banksy

Banksy in Palestine

My stencil gallery [ Amok Stencil ]

Stencil Graffiti - Melbourne

Street Art Including Banksy D*face

M-CITY STENCIL ACTION GRAFFITITV STREET ART

Street Art with Above

Stenciled Squid

Your Thoughts... 

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A World of Graffiti 

These books have a lot of information on stencil graffiti and amazing photos of art from around the world. They'd make a great gift.

Street Art Stencil Links 

Welcome to the Stencil Revolution
The largest stencil artist resource on the web - Stencil galleries, Tutorials, Forums, Fonts, Shop, Artist Profiles, EPS stencil downloads and much more
stencilry.org
Tutorials, galleries, forums, and more...
World of Stencils
Good stencils make the life in a city much more interesting and also give the city a special touch. Most of the stencils are to be seen as a message - so watch out! This weblog is a collection of stencils from all over the world.

Barack Obama 

Obama Also Won in Street Art

Barack Obama has brought in a whole new wave of street artists. His grassroots popularity led to some amazing stencils.

Check out some great Obama street art:

Banksy 

The Master Stencil Street Artist

Banksy is probably the most famous stencil graffiti artist - certainly the most famous in England. His work can be seen all over London. Often incorporating rats and policemen into his work, Banksy art is quite the socio-political commentary. He is an elusive artist who maintains his anonomity quite well. Banksy's website gives us an insight as to what he is thinking, and keeps us informed on his lasest ventures. He has also struck Palestine, and America.

Wall and Piece

Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

Cut It Out (Vol 3)

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

A Banksy Sold on eBay for $407,000 ! 

January 14, 2008

A London wall upon which a mural by the legendary graffiti artist Banksy sits, sold today on eBay for $407,000. Buyer must pay to remove the wall. Check out the whole story:
Traces of Banksy worth a motza
Sydney Morning Herald, Australia
£200000 online bid for graffiti, plus wall
Times Online, UK
Banksy graffiti wall auctioned
Reuters UK, UK
Banksy painting on exterior wall draws huge bids on eBay
USA Today
Auctioned Banksy wall fetches £208k
The Press Association

Graffiti World 

Graffiti World: Street Art from Five Continents

Amazon Price: $23.10 (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

Ever since anonymous spray-can art began appearing on city walls in New York and Philadelphia in the late 1960s, graffiti has been a ubiquitous presence in the urban landscape, its artists largely unsung heroes. As hip-hop culture spread from America, graffiti became a worldwide phenomenon, emerging in the 1980s as the symbolic artistic language of young people everywhere and one of the most potent influences on youth-oriented marketing and design. With more than 2,000 illustrations by over 150 artists from all over the world and interviews with many of them, this visually arresting book is the most comprehensive survey of graffiti art ever published.

Stencil Graffiti in the News 

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People 

Portraits on the Street

Musicians, Politicians, Artists, Pop-culture icons, Historical Figures, and Fictional Characters have all been memorialized by street art.

Cash by ihatealex.org

Johnny Cash

Nick Drake stencil graffiti by James Robinson

Nick Drake

Bob Marley stencil graffiti by James Robinson

Bob Marley

Chet Baker stencil graffiti by James Robinson

Chet Baker

Mick Jagger stencil graffiti by James Robinson

Mick Jagger

Jimi Hendrix stencil graffiti by James Robinson

Jimi Hendrix

Marilyn Che Graffiti Stencil Art by jaddc

Marilyn Monroe

Hella by Philo Nordlund

Elvis

Smile by Burn Black

Michael Jackson

125-2592_IMG.JPG by domat33f

Marilyn Monroe

Mural:  Johnny Cash stencil graffiti by Franco Folini

Johnny Cash

M-BW by lefeburetouch

Andy Warhol

Alfred Hitchcock stencil graffiti by James Robinson

Alfred Hitchcock

Array by temeshi

Charlie Chaplin

Walker, Texas Ranger Stencil Graffiti by photo-jenny

Chuck Norris

audrey hepburn stencil by september.

Audrey Hepburn

Mr. Bean by Travholt

Mr. Bean

By Jef Aérosol by vitostreet

Ghandi

mcgyver by kamikadse

MacGyver

Jef Aérosol 2007 - London - Lennon & Jagger by Jef Aerosol

John lennon and Mick Jagger

Jef Aérosol 2007 - London - Ian Curtis by Jef Aerosol

Ian Curtis

Spock by sutefani in orlando

Spok

Frankinstein by sutefani in orlando

Frankenstein

Louis Armstrong by SOULE

Louis Armstrong

Nelson Mandela Stencil Graffiti by pantone801

Nelson Mandela

Borat, stencil graffiti, Croft Lane by Pesky Phooey

Borat

stencil graffiti-10.JPG by CREAMASTER

Lincoln

Ghandi in Be'er Sheva by Ask?

Ghandi

Martin Luther King stencil by Born Sleepy

Martin Luther King Jr

ali stencil by kurt schlosser

Mohammed Ali

The Cans Festival 

May 3-5, 2008

Organized by the elusive Banksy, a dark and dingy tunnel underneath an old train platform at Waterloo Station in London.

Dozens of street artists from around the world contributed to stenciled masterpieces. In addition, it was open to the public to add their stenciled pieces.

"Graffiti doesn't always spoil buildings. In fact, it's the only way to improve a lot of them," said Banksy. "In the space of a few hours with a couple of hundred cans of paint I'm hoping we can transform a dark, forgotten filth pit into an oasis of beautiful art - in a dark, forgotten filth pit."
Banksy covers entire London street with graffiti
Sky News Pictures
Banksy Hosts The Cans Festival
CoolHunting.com
Banksy throws London stencil party
The Associated Press
The Cans Festival
thecansfestival.com

How to Create a Stencil 

(Art in Photo by Banksy)

Depending on the desired result, there are different ways to make a stencil.

A computer can be used to help make detailed designs, designs with downloaded fonts, or designs from photos. If you wish to simply draw a graphic by hand, that works too. Also, photoshop shapes are a stencil waiting to happen.

In order to make a design from a photo, you will need a photo editor that allows you to adjust the threshold, and brightness and contrast of the photo. Basically, you want to get rid of the unneeded background of the photo, giving you just the subject you desire. Then adjust the contrast and brightness, or adjust the threshold, of the picture to the point of having a picture that is two colors - black and white - and still recognizable. Make any needed touch-ups, or adjustments to keep there from being areas inside of holes (that would fall out of the stencil). You could also preform this step while cutting, but it may be more difficult.

Add a border around the picture and print. Once printed, just put your stencil over the item you wish to use as the stencil...cardboard, paper, thin plastic, contact paper, whatever. Next you must cut out the design. An x-acto knife is best as it makes a clean cut and is easy to work with.

To use the stencil, hold or tape to the surface, and spray or roll paint over it. Remove the stencil (by lifting off, not sliding). If it needs any touchups, use your finger or a brush. Tada!

Stick Your Two Cents In 

What do you think of graffiti?

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I love it.

REAK says:

as a grafiti artist i have to love it and i do alll types to

spawn says:

Graffiti is awsome, it is art design at its finest! City's need to allow artist to express themselves on designated areas and keep younger artists from turning to vandalism.

mony says:

it's wild. and amazing. and deep down in the heart about freedom and creativity, and that's why i do it.

Deadicated says:

As long as you don't damage someone's personal property, and are tasteful and talented. What the heck, its' art for the people.

I hate it.

Gandree says:

I have always hated grafitti unless it was a true work of art. Marking someone else's property with your name, etc. never made sense to me.

packetlog says:

personally i find them as eyesores. it spoils public places. i do have to say that some are quite clever and thought-provoking. if it is a form of art, then we should have public walls in designated areas where the artists can practice all they want, but please don't spray-paint other people's property or beautiful places. a few of them are good doesn't justify the vast number of them that are just destructive.

ElizabethJeanAllen says:

Most graffiti is offensive and the intent destructive.

spirituality says:

Some graffiti is just plain annoying - on busses and trains for instance it rarely looks good.

 
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"How To" Videos 

Step-By-Step Guides to Digitally Making Stencils From Photos

Watching a video is the easiest way to get a grasp of how these stencils are made. I suggest the first one, as it is a great step-by-step. The second video is a great explanation on how to print the stencils very large using multiple sheets of paper that you can line up.

Photoshop Stencilling

Making Giant Stencils (in MS Paint) II

Tutoria para hacer un estencil desde Photoshop

Stencil Graffiti Art 101

multilayer stencil in photoshop

Photoshop Shapes 

Download them free

The shapes tool in photoshop, and the fact that so many amazing shapes are available for free to download, are ideal for stenciling. Download some free shape sets and see the versatility they lend you.
Free Photoshop - Free Photoshop Shapes and demos for download.
Adobe Photoshop plugins and filters for the PC, commercial and freeware, all listed, tested, reviewed and linked, with free filters and plugins to download
Free Downloads for Adobe Photoshop
Free downloads of brushes, custom shapes, layer styles, presets, utilities, templates, add-ons, palettes, and other resources for Adobe Photoshop.
BioRUST.com :: Downloads >> Adobe Photoshop Custom Shapes
Indulge your creative appetite with our extensive range of Photoshop resources! Includes brushes, custom shapes, layer styles, gradients, and even funky graphical fonts!
Custom shapes for Photoshop (R) and Photoshop (R) Elements - 12000 shapes collection + unique themed shapes sets
Custom shapes for Photoshop (R) and Photoshop (R) Elements. 12000 shapes collection + unique themed shapes sets, many different designs including zigzag custom shapes, line custom shapes, pattern custom shapes, torus custom shapes, horseshoe custom shapes, grid custom shapes, arrow custom shapes, un
Adobe - Adobe Exchange
From the Adobe share exchange.

Other Stenciled Street Art 

From around the world

Worldwide, these limited color graphics are marking a time and a place, giving commentary on it as well. They are leaving their mark on the world, making a strong statement.

Meeting room stencil graffiti by clagnut

Meeting Room

Stencil graffiti, Dolores St by Salim Virji

Meat Murder

Stencil Graffiti - E.T. by James Robinson

ET

Array by inkdem

Zelda

Array by inkdem

Wonka

Gorilla in a Top Hat Stencil Graffiti by photo-jenny

Top Hat Gorilla

Stencil Graffiti by pantone801

Butterfly Skull

Gargamel by eddiemalone

Gargamel

Free hugs [Stencil by Le Rieur] by biphop

Free Hugs

graz - pochoir/stencil :: ready for Valentine's Day by southtyrolean

Date

GRAFFITI_NEWTOWN_0607_1262 by baddogwhiskas

Skull

alien smile by dr.jd

UFO

Stencil graffiti by James Robinson

Poetry

Skull and Crossbones Stencil Graffiti by jaddc

Skull and Crossbones

10 / 10 by mr_la_rue

Dancing

Cupid's Chokehold by mr_la_rue

Cupid

stencil by Luna Park

Woman

throw it out the window, people! by wacky doodler

Throw it out

Anarchy Monarchy by mr_la_rue

Anarchy

Sidewalk stencil graffiti by Salim Virji

Your Existence

"Stencil graffiti" de una bici a tamaño real en Buenos Aires. Marzo 2005. by conecta9

Bicycle

Pigeons - the Cans Festival by Born Sleepy

Pigeons

Merbra by jaqian

Merbra

Angel walks her bike by icathing

Bike Angel

Sun by Tara Severns

Sun

Ducks Closeup by BinaryApe

A family of ducks

New banksy by unusualimage

take this

Ratapult Banksy EC1 by unusualimage

Ratapult

Gas Masks by invisible consequential

Gas Masks

DSC07030 by David Boyle

umbrella girl

Stencil Graffiti (Street Graphics / Street Art) 

Stencil Graffiti (Street Graphics / Street Art)

Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 07/06/2009)Buy Now

City streets abound with billboards, posters, and corporate advertising that almost invite a subversive response ...and increasingly are getting one. Many of today's graffiti artists have adopted the stencil and spray can, and are using the street as a giant creative forum for their arresting artwork. "The image," says San Diego artist Shepard Fairey, "is integrated with the texture of the street." This book showcases the work of the originators, the innovators, and the new generation who, as UK artist Nylon puts it, are "breathing life into derelict spaces." Stencil graffiti is beginning to filter off the street too, as artists are inspired to use stencils on canvas, clothing, and metal. Tristan Manco has chosen over 400 of the most visually exuberant, subtle, and creative examples of the genre from cities all over the world. With subject matter ranging from the political to the poetic, from the funky to the frankly curious, stencil graffiti is graphic innovation on an international scale. Inspirational in form and content, this book is an essential record for everyone with an interest in design or in contemporary urban culture. 405 illustrations, 400 in color.

Cutting a Stencil 

An x-acto knife is the best way to cut a stencil. The razer edge makes the easiest and cleanest cut.

Xacto X3601 N0. 1 Precision Knife With Safety Cap

Amazon Price: $2.10 (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

16 Piece Knife Set

Amazon Price: (as of 07/06/2009) Buy Now

About Stencil Graffiti 

: This is one of many types of graffiti, for a more general discussion of the subject, see graffiti.

Stencil graffiti makes use of a paper, cardboard, or other media to create an image or text that is easily reproduceable. The desired design is cut out of the selected medium and then the image is transferred to a surface through the use of spray paint or roll-on paint.

The process of stencilling involves applying paint across a stencil to form an image on a surface below. Sometimes multiple layers of stencils are used on the same image to add colours or create the illusion of depth.

Those who make and apply stencils have many motivations. For some, it is an easy method to produce a political message. Many artists appreciate the publicity that their artwork can receive. And some just want their work to be seen. Since the stencil stays uniform throughout its use, it is easier for an artist to quickly replicate what could be a complicated piece at a very quick rate, when compared to other conventional tagging methods.

One of the best known graffiti artists who uses stencils extensively is Banksy.

Category: Image - :Feknerestatewheels.jpg|thumb|300px|John Fekner Wheels Over Indian Trails 1979-1990. Pulaski Bridge near the Queens Midtown Tunnel Spray paint on concrete. Long Island City, NY.

Stencil graffiti subculture has been around for the last thirty years. John Fekner is one of the first artists to place his work outdoors, starting in 1968. Lewisohn Cedar, Street Art: The Graffiti Revolution, Tate Museum, London, England 2008 ISBN-978-1-85437-767-8 pgs.23, 90 Fekners stencil Wheels Over Indian Trails greeted motorists and international travelers arriving in New York City at the Pulaski Bridge Queens Midtown Tunnel from 1979-1990. The message remained untouched for 11 years, until Earth Day 1990, when Mr. Fekner, feeling the piece had run its course, painted over it.F.Y.I by Jesse McKinley New York Times, Sunday, May 21, 1995

Famous french artist Ernest Pignon-Ernest's stencilled silhouette of a nuclear bomb victim was spray painted in the south of France in 1966 (Plateau d'Albion, Vaucluse)

Blek le Rat's first spray painted stencils were seen in Paris in 1981 and Jef aerosol started in Tours in 1982.They continue to work outdoors. Le Rat was influenced by the graffiti artists of New York City but wanted to create something of his own.

Category: Image - :IMGP1452.JPG|thumb|300px|Stencil on bikeway in Seville (Spain).

Australian photographer Rennie Ellis documented some of the earliest examples of stencil art to appear in Sydney and Melbourne in his 1985 book The All New Australian Graffiti. In the introduction to the book, Ellis noted that US photographer Charles Gatewood had written to him and sent him photographs of similar stencil graffiti that had recently appeared in New York City, leading Ellis to speculate that:

:"... unlike our subway-style graffiti, which is nothing more than a copy of a well-established New York tradition, the symbols of Australia and America had originated separately and unknown to each other."Ellis, Rennie; The All New Australian Graffiti, Sun Books (Macmillan), Melbourne, 1985 (ISBN 0 7251 0484 8)

Over the years this form of graffiti has become a worldwide subculture. The members are linked through the Internet and the images spray-painted on the urban canvas they place throughout the world. Many of its members connect through blogs and websites that are specifically built to display works, get feedback on posted works, and receive news of what is going on in the world of stencil graffiti. Stencil graffiti is illegal and many of the members of this subculture shroud their identities in aliases. Banksy, Above, Jef Aérosol, Blek le Rat, Vhils, 157, and Shepard Fairey are some names that are synonymous with this subculture. As for local stencil artists, they are fairly veiled and are hard to reach.

Stencil Graffiti Items on eBay 

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eBay

Stencil Fonts 

These sites provide many fonts that work well for stencils. From military style, to pixelated fonts, to modern and gothic, hundreds of fonts lend themselves to stenciling.
SimplytheBest Fonts Stencil Section
Simply the Best stencil fonts. A collection of the best free stencil fonts on the Web.
Resources - Stencil Revolution
Download fonts perfect for stencil graffiti.
Abstract Fonts - Stencils
50+ Stencil fonts
Fancy > Stencil, Army fonts | dafont.com
Download free and shareware fonts.
fonts.com stencil fonts
Pay fonts
STENCIL FONTS
Download FREE FONTS - Stencil Typefaces for mac and windows - FREE Download - Army, Navy, Air Force, Aircraft Font

How can I make a page like this? 

(and earn money doing it?)

And, if you were interested in how to publish a page like this, it is really quite easy. Just Click Here to begin...open a free account and start your own "lens" here on squidoo on any topic of your choice.

Graffiti Guestbook 

Leave your random comments and internet graffiti here:

Laniann wrote...

You did a good job of presenting the street art of graffiti. 5*s

ReplyPosted June 21, 2009

AbbasAbedi wrote...

Excellent Lens. 5*

If you get a chance check out my Instant Stress Management lens.

ReplyPosted June 07, 2009

Quirina wrote...

Great lens! Stencil graffiti and murals in general have been catching my interest for a while, but I never took the time to find out more. Thanks to you for providing this rich resource!

ReplyPosted May 17, 2009

mukunda22 wrote...

Yes this is a beautiful art form. Thanks for sharing--and love the purple star!!

ReplyPosted May 16, 2009

ottoblotto wrote...

A really interesting lens; 5*

ReplyPosted May 16, 2009

ClassyGals wrote...

Graffiti inside your own home or on clothing is cool. Five stars.

ReplyPosted May 15, 2009

Jimmie wrote...

congrats on that pretty purple star!

ReplyPosted May 15, 2009

Gandree wrote...

I wasn't familiar with stencil grafitti but Squidoo shines when it brings us new topics. Thanks for sharing this. 5 *

ReplyPosted May 11, 2009

Lensmaster

GumboWriters123

great lens. Loved the pictures

ReplyPosted April 24, 2009

BevsPaper wrote...

Very interesting lens!

ReplyPosted April 21, 2009

MiaBellezza wrote...

Cool graffiti lens 5*!

ReplyPosted March 07, 2009

Smartshops wrote...

Great lens with lots of information! 5*s from your friends at Smartshops!

ReplyPosted February 08, 2009

tomdeacon wrote...

Excellent lens! I'm gonna need more time to digest everything here :)

ReplyPosted January 28, 2009

Cym wrote...

Very nice lens, very well done! You've put together a nice collection of photos! 5*

(for other unusual art check out my lens: No Men's Land)

ReplyPosted January 27, 2009

henzy wrote...

great lens. Loved the pictures

ReplyPosted January 24, 2009

Deadicated wrote...

Katazome is a way to stencil on fabric with a paste resist. I'm one of a handful of artists in the USA doing it.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/deadicated/sets/72157609456557758/

ReplyPosted December 17, 2008

JamesThomasCalhoun wrote...

Really superior lens. Learned so much. Inspired to make my mark.

ReplyPosted December 13, 2008

Tipi wrote...

I like graffiti just fine, some artists do a wonderful job with it, and have some real awesome art that is eye-stoppers. I'd like to give them a job!

I got some very nice ideas from your lens. Some friends just started Gangsta's Subs in Fargo, and are looking for graffiti artists for the shop. I might even take a stub at it.

A very nice lens!!!

ReplyPosted November 01, 2008

Rusty-Quill wrote...

Ahh, man I just put in a very eloquent opinion on your debate (Hi I'm Mr. Modest) but it didn't take - I hate that! Anyway mighty fine lens.

ReplyPosted October 24, 2008

SportsUniformStuff wrote...

Great lens, I love all the pictures. We have alot of this type of graffiti around Philadelphia-- it's always interesting to see. It reminds me of some neat graffiti I took a picture of once.. you can check it out here:http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3184/2602693108_83d30f0a47.jpg if you want. At one point there was also a desk there until it was painted over-- it was like an entire living room.

ReplyPosted October 09, 2008

 
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Disclaimers 

I am in no way encouraging you to vandalize or cause damage to other people's property. This lens is for the appreciation of street art, and for the use of its style in legal mediums. Stencil your own property or inside your house. Stencil on your bench or picnic table. Stencil on wood and hang it. Stencil with permission of the owner. Stencil your kid's bedroom. Do not stencil on public property or other people's property who did not give you permission.