5 Graffiti Handstyle Mistakes 

When you wanna be rebellious but you also want to follow rules

having messy handwriting actually helped me with tagging when i started because i already had such a good flow from writing in shitty half cursive lol

I gotta give it to you. Your advice wasn’t what I expected it to be until I watched your video halfway through. I’ve been into graff about 30 years and when I first started hitting the streets of NYC in 89-90, it was all about trying to make jifs and catching tags. In the early to mid 90’s when German tips etc. were introduced, fat cap tags were a must. No exceptions. To my demise, my hand style never improved, yet, I thought I had style. Then in ‘97, one of the best and most unique writers out of the 5 boros of New York happened to be a neighbor of mine. We became friends and he changed my entire outlook on writing and can control. No more fat caps (he despised them) and strictly stock caps was how he would advise me to tag and practice while on the go. Utilizing my shoulder, elbow, and wrist was how I learned how to write on the biggest and smallest surface with spray paint and never drip. Over time, other writers would ask about me and admire style, since I became the latest member of my neighbors crew. We bombed hard for many years since then. That said, my weapons of choice for sharpening my skills on paper are: pencils for slow controlled movement when experimenting with styles and ideas. Second, my favorite and most preferred choice for bringing those ideas to life are Sharpie Ultra Fine Point markers. They help me keep a steady flow when writing with little to no mistakes. I think quick when using them, because I try not to oversaturate my tags, outlines etc. with ink. My #1 advice is to start simple and refine your style. Don’t rush it or try to be unique from the jump. After refining your style, play with it and make it your own. Be creative. Have a signature style. Don’t bite! Also, progression is important. Too many writers are stubborn and are afraid of change. Utilize the surface you write on...take up space, learn how to write backwards, upside down, vertical, diagonal etc. Be progressive!

the golden rule, keep it simple

1st mistake using a marker that’s almost running out of ink 😂😂

I'd say one of the biggest things is to practice the whole alphabet, not just the name you write.

For number four, I would recommend working on an alphabet, think it out, learn each letter and how they interact. Then try to put the letters together and see how they mesh. Even if you thought they were perfect, you'll find flaws when you try to stitch them together. Go back to the drawing board, until letters fit comfortably to make words. Once your name looks right, write it a million times with a ballpoint until you can do it perfect blindfolded. Then get a rusto and see how it looks on walls. Be critical of yourself until you're happy with what you've created

Those 472 dislikes are younger kids who got triggered when you took a shot at their drips 😂

A good point that helped me when I was a toy is taking my time on paper before getting muscle memory down , making sure everything is simple and legible before moving on to the crazy hand style shit , I think the best hand styles are ones everybody can read not just people who do graff can read , that’s how u get really famous in your city

at my 65, I still write on my daily writing in that way. Some people get offended because I write ALL in upper case. That's my style. Period. Thank YOU for your video. I continue learning. This is ART.

I used to think my tags were “simple” and now I realize I was going in the right direction considering I’m still just a beginner.

this will sound a Iittle weird , but if you wanna get better at graffiti , you should practice cursive writing

most important ... if you feel the urge to dont fuk it up ... just ignore it .. and just go for it ... even if it turns out bad ... next time u do it better

So much hate in the comments. This is solid advice for beginners.

People on here saying your toy? Ive been writing over a decade and in my opinion you have sick letters and explained structure very well.

I mean I'm still a toy, and I had a "decent" tag, and in 2 seconds, it's down. (It was real shit btw) I looked into it, and found this video and it helped. I developed a good handstyle, thanks to this video. Thanks for this!

I’ve been doing graffiti 15+ years. I still blow through a pack of paper in a day doing tags and hand styles over and over again.

Art is anything you can get away with...Andy Worhol.

Great to see younger guys taking in some good old fashioned old skool advice. 👍

Listen to this guy he talks the truth in France and Italy the older writers teach the younger writers

glad you adressed the fat cap issue. its so crucial to learn with ballpoint pens and stock tips.those skinny caps and pens expose people who dont really have the fundamentals down.

I Like this one. And for the critics: its hard to give good support in people's development for grafitti. Its through making mistakes and breaking the rules that we discover the coolest tweaks and expressions, and even discover what our own handstyle is in the first place... So dos and donts are hypocrytical. But this dude does point out his awareness of the relative aspect to these tips and he plainly gives pretty relevant guidelines for enhancing your skills in this genre of self-expression. Also there actually are typical aesthetics that appeal to the general public or put people off. And since grafitti does inherently address the public it's a pretty noble cause to take that into consideration and apply your art and activism with care and purpose

-we all make mistakes in graffiti...but it's hard not to because we compare our handstyles and just want to be creative and noticed. -this is our form of communication to eachother in real time while trying not to get caught. Good video bro. -do one where you're just tagging all in a magazine using different markers with commentary.

love that subtle beat of X in the background

No halos or crowns unless you king your city

no rules in graff do you do the best u can

Honestly bro, I went in to this video expecting it to be shit but this is really good advice for beginners, I often think these exact thoughts when I see shit tags. Good on ya

Been writing for over a decade, and WOW you are spot on! I quit for a few years, a few years after i started, never even picked up a pen in that time, and when i came back, guess who bought a ton of sakura, fan tips, mops, and super expensive inks! Worst few hundred bucks i ever spent. I wish I wouldve seen my work for what is was, and gave a few months to the paper game. I watch bombing science, Grimm, and art primo vids a lot too, and I gotta say THIS VIDEO is the ONLY beginner video everyone needs!!! Worry about the tips and tricks later!!

Wish I had this video when I started, I thought the tips were pretty good and I don’t think in anyway that you are putting rules on graff or trying to put down people on their different styles, onya mate!

i've been getting really frustrated by not being able to progress mt tags and make them better and this video helped a tonne cheers bro

Brilliant advice Graff Lounge, now I know to remember and to practice drawing or doing an graffiti tags, graffiti pieces and graffiti drawing.

i just started off tagging. started off as desk tagging and now i’m working on my handstyle. i’m gonna do my buddies van and then my own album covers as well. thank you for the advice sir.

Greats tips. This will help out beginners a lot. Biggest problem with novice taggers is that they try to do too much. Keep it simple. Throw up responsibly.

ive been practicing my one liner tag for years, im pretty satified with it. My advice would be to want flow want creativity and want style! Also practice writing the alphabet in different styles

I LOVE YOUR HANDSTYLE :) BTW GREAT VIDEO!!

We had simple rules that made the scene one of the most influential scenes in Europe. Do the sticks, write simple and readable, the guidelines of 3d and Shadows go Always in the same way, be Friends and have fun.

Thanks for the tips mate. Good luck everyone that comes across this video don’t let anyone tell you what you are:/ tbh people that use the term toy on other people are just people that are so insecure and egotistical on their own work that they like to shit on other people’s work. Do whatever that makes you happy as long as you have good technique and original style don’t let anyone tell you otherwise

great vid wish i seen it 15 years ago when i first started lol. u explained it very well.

im new coming into this and it helped a lot! im coming in from a drawing perspective so the sketch tip really helped

Everyone hatin I actually like your vids as a beginner you help keep it up man

This is mean as imma keep. Practicing great vid tho🤙🏾

Styyyylie vids bro ! Keep em up ! Jah

This dude has the best taste in music x, trippie, uzi... daaamnn i was just vibing

thank you so much, this helps a lot!

important about graffiti in general is to paint the city and have fun. There are no rules... feel free & do whatever you want to :)

You’ve helped me a lot man in graff love it

thanks man, this will be helpful when i get ready to tag the streets with my own graffiti nickname.

You have a nice hand style don't listen to them your not sloppy and the letters are in proportion.👍👑

Y’all can’t say he’s giving the game too many rules and then tell him his styles wack loool

my first marker was 17 mm chisel tip, dint learn anything. but then i buyed 2 5mm chisel tips, and i learned and now i am much better with big markers than the smaller markers.

Enjoyed these tips 🔥

I believe everyone has their own styles in graff and no one can tell you want you cant do or add to your style if that's what you like.. at the end of the day it doesnt matter what people say about your style.. just dont be toy

Dude there's a tag out there full of embelishments and imo it's the best tag in town HAHAHAH, but it came from an awesome writer so he probably knew what he was doing

the last one is so true, im new to tagging and so many people over stick with hitting the books, i mean for sure you need to practice tons on ya pads. but writing on the streets is alot different and you just gotta get out there and do it. idgaf if my shit likes toy itl get better :)

Great video!! Yr channel is really dope, I loeve yr content⚡️⚡️👌🏼

Spanish class is a great time to practice (-;

Sure he doesn't have good style now but sounds like he has a good head on his shoulders to get better. Good video man.

Everyone starts off with toyish writes but you progress during time with different writes, but dont over do it with extra arrows or " just try to keep a steady flow of the letters and your name will come out your own way and unique

Props to all the guys hiding behind their keyboard shitting on the guy giving decent tips. Greetings from Paris, I wish I would have had something like that when I began ;) Keep it up

I've watched this after buying a basic chisel tip, uni broad 8mm chisel tip, molotow dripstick and molotow masterpiece speedflow to get me started. when I heard I didn't needed fancy stuff I got mad mad

this is solid advice. keep it up ✌

thank you bro, after watching this video I finally understand and can🤜🤛

1:32 I actually like this tag

7:14 HAHAHAHA ME WHEN I'M TEACHING MY NIECE HOW TO WRITE AND GETS ANNOYED BECAUSE SHE CAN"T WRITE THE LETTER "A"

If you're to break a rule a clean break is preferable 😆 love Graff channels

Probs 4 ur video from Berlin 🤟 good education 4 beginners ! Wish I had these in 2003

I'm a relatively new writer, but I've filled up half a notebook with tags just consistently practicing letters and characters

There's no rules on how you're supposed to tag. That's like me saying I think your girlfriend is ugly because I don't like her looks and style and she should wear this and do this and then I'll like her... It's not meant for you to like

Wicked video man fuck all these negative comments. Really informative and easy to follow vid. Hope to see more :) PS you got any pics/vids of your actual tag/graffiti?

Idk what this guy's talking about all of them looked cool and unique to me... And that's the point. I don't like seeing people copy others

some good advice, but at the end of the day do what feels right to u.

Nice video man keep it up

Oh thanx soo much👌👍 you helpd me!

This is great advice for starters!

great lesson mate, keep it up!

Lol he makes good points but his own style is questionable..

Good vid bro!

I personally hate "halos" it just most likely doesnt fit in or makes your tag look unbalanced.

There are no rules in Grafitti

Dude, I love tagg on the notebooks for high school, the last page is all full of tags, throw up's and pieces

Definitely keep practicing your style toys!

We need more!!

Theres no mistakes if it's ur own handstyle

you got good hands, i subscribed

I'M A ARTIST MYSELF KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK !!! ME MYSELF I'M NOT THE GREATEST GRAFFITI ARTIST IN THE WORLD BUT YOUR TUTORIALS ARE EXCELLENT!!! PROPS OVER HERE!!!✌✌✌

Toys teaching toys…….internet ruined graff😢

This fools styles are lame af but his logic behind his message is on point

I’m the man with a plan, probably rollin grams, drinking sake in Japan Nice background music mane

Coming from West Syd been sketching and writing for nearlly 12 years, i completely agree with everything you said and thought all the advice was awesome i defs wish i had something like like thsi when i was younger looking to learn but i ended up teaching myelsf everything i know...... anddd was just wondering where abouts in australia are you from i can tell buy your accent??

I had to change my name 'slac' to something else because someome better than me was using the name

Another embellishment is a crown above the hit up 🤦‍♂️😂

Watching this in class in 2022 come back please!

im learning a lot---- thank to you....

Biggest mistake... Add crowns above your tags

good handstyle bro

this is the best advice here.

As a tagger back in the day cursive is your best way to start

1st: point don't focus on cool extra embellishments 2nd: make sure your letters are the same size but at the same time you can make them different sizes 3rd: don't buy good quality pens to start off you have to use shit ones 4th: you can't draw the tag the way you want 5th: you can't create detailed tags in the comfort in your own home

Yo do you have a Instagram? If so can add extra tips for handstyles .

Thank you really much for this Video I really enjoyed it🤍