Graffiti workshop at Graffik Gallery

I learned new skills at a fun Graffiti class in London

I have used spray paints in my paintings before but with very, very basic knowledge. I was researching ideas for a creative activity that I could gift my daughter for her 11th birthday when I stumbled across a gallery in London which offered 2 hour practical workshops at weekends for small groups. I booked online and a couple of weeks later we were there.

The workshop area is outside through the back of the Graffik Gallery space on The Portobello Road (a 15 minute walk from Notting Hill Tube) They have a range of urban street art on display, you might see works by Banksy, Dotmaster, Stik, Alec Monopoly, Bambi to name a few. We were given boiler suits and masks before tutor Maddy talked us through some basic techniques and demos, with old school mellow hip hop playing in the background.

Then we were let loose to practice on the already colourful patchwork of Graffiti’d walls. With guidance and help at hand, very quickly everyone got the hang of how to control the application of paint before we were given a small blank canvas to create our very own piece of ‘Graffiti Art’ . There were ready-cut stencils as well as the option to print and cut our own design. There was a real buzz of excitement as everyone was creating, layering and experimenting. My daughter had an absolute blast and though she was the youngest there she was not intimidated in the slightest. It is a class for young and old.

I found it very informative and inspiring. I bought a few new cans of Montana Gold acrylic Spray paint the next day and got to work on a new portrait painting using the spray paints to block out big sections of the canvas with soft, faded edges. I’m totally hooked on the effects and I’m going to enjoy experimenting and developing my techniques.