The details you were expecting to know about a graffiti workshop

In recent years, street art has evolved from a form of vandalism/rebellion to a widely recognized contemporary art form that carries significant cultural and social value. Despite the fact that it’s still an underground cultural movement, Cooltourspain counts with a graffiti workshop in its portfolio.

For those of you interested in booking such activity, it might be an exciting opportunity to experience with spray cans in an collaborative setting, and a hands-on environment. As a matter of fact, these ateliers provide a perfect background of art, culture, and self-expression while promoting creativity and teamwork. Moreover, it perfectly fits student trips to Barcelona, or any companies’ teambuilding targeting an alternative way to enjoy a casual business day.

In this article, we will walk you through the steps involved, answering questions such as the following ones:

• How to paint a mural?
• What are the best spray painting techniques?
• How to read graffiti tags?

Do graffiti artists make money by offering a graffiti workshop?

Yes, artists earn a wage while offering a graffiti workshop. Similarly to what happens with other educational careers, art teachers make money. In this sense, the more experience, the more possibilities to get paid.

Generally, a 2 hour session may range from 50€ towards 75€ per person. This quote will include the labor, spray paint materials and the use of wet paint. Similarly to what professionals do, you will blank a wall in order to later cover it with your decoration and creativity.

It’s always important to take into consideration that these activities require a minimum number of participants to kick off. Alternatively, any guest with a high interest of paiting with a professional, may hire his/her services in a private way.

Why is graffiti illegal and why are people still interested in learning how to do street art?

The first thing that you should take into consideration is that Barcelona city council counts with legal walls all accross town, so experiencing a graffiti workshop with Cooltourspain’s team memebers is completly permitted. Booking requests are available for individuals, small groups/ couples, and even larger submissions. For instance, school trips of 45 participants, or more.

To many of us, the relevance of illegal graffiti remains on the adrenaline, and the importance of being recognize by fellow writers on the street. On the other hand, the general audience (the one who doesn’t paint) is interested in learning about graffiti history, styles, and advanced techniques.

For those citizens interested, online reservations require at least 24 hours, and most participants book their sessions through our website. These activities might be customized depending on the number of people, the level of experience (beginner or advanced), and the duration of the workshop.

What does the introduction of the graffiti workshop look like at a team building event?

On the day of the graffiti workshop, participants gather at the designated meeting point. Cooltourspain often organizes them in Barcelona’s vibrant neighborhoods, such as El Raval or Poblenou, known for their rich street art scenes. Upon arrival, a professional graffiti artist/ instructor, will greet you in the chosen language. Remember that our services take place in English, Spanish, or French.

• Step 1: Welcome and overview: The instructor will provide a brief introduction to the world of graffiti and urban art. Participants will learn about its history, its cultural impact, and the different styles of graffiti that have evolved over the years.

• Step 2: Understanding the area: Graffiti is deeply connected to its environment. Thus those guests interested, may hire a street art tour before the hands-on part. This helps participants understand the broader context of street art, and it may serve as a form of expression, communication within the urban landscape, and even inspiration for the time when you get to paint.

Is safety important in the development of this activity?

Before diving into the creative process, explaning safety protocols is a top priority in the graffiti workshop. Whoever is in charge of leading the experience, will take great care to ensure that participants are equipped with the right knowledge and materials.

• Personal protective equipment (PPE): Participants will receive disposable protective units: aprons, gloves, masks, and shoe covering. However, we know that spray painting can sometimes be messy. Consequently, we wouldn’t recommend you bringing the very best suit, nor the brand new trainers.

• No ladders. Please note that working in heights will increase the risk of falling, and we do not want you to twist your ankle. That’s the reason why you will only complete the tasks at your height, and the level you reach with your hands.

• Spray cans: despite the fact that we work with different paint makers and brands, they all work the same. You have to introduce a cap in to the top part of the can, in order to make it work. In this sense, it very important not to point the cap to your face/eyes/colleagues, will pushing to make it work.

What happens when you actually get to paint on the graffiti workshop?

Whether you’re a kid, teenager, young adult, or a senior citizen, you shouldn’t create big expectations out of the graffiti workshop. More even, if it’s the first time that you use the materials. As any other skill, it takes thousands of hours in order to become a master on it.

Please find relevant information on the following paragraphs, regarding to how the experience is organized and divided.

Exploring the different (basic & advanced) techniques

First, the graffiti workshop instructor has provided with the protective materials and explained the necessary safety rules. The next step would be diving into the creative process itself. We work similarly to what happens in a classroom setting. At the beginning participants will observe what the teacher does, to replicate it afterwards.

• Basic techniques: Beginners will typically work on learning the basics. That’s to say, the instructor will demonstrate how to hold and use the spray cans effectively, guiding participants through smooth, clean lines or rough, textured effects. Furthermore, students learn how to control the flow of paint.

• Advanced techniques: Someone who has prior graffiti experience, will work on shading or 3D. This might include designing intricate geometric patterns or specific typography, such as the one called Caligraffiti. The aim is to help students improve their control, precision, and creativity.

After the first part, where the group has become familiar with the spray cans, you will paint the whole wall again using wet paint and rollers. Thanks to that, there will be an even background color. By the time the group gets used to the materials. Let’s have some fun!

Is the collaborative mural creation the most important part of the graffiti workshop?

When hired for a group, the graffiti workshop encourages participants to collaborate on creating a large-scale mural. This activity promotes teamwork, creativity, and communication among participants. Depending on the number of participants, the given distance will be one or another. Usually starting on 5 meters long, times 2 mt. high.

1. Concept development: The group brainstorms ideas for the mural. This could be anything from an abstract piece to a more representational design that reflects the group’s identity. The instructor facilitates this discussion, helping the group develop a concept that everyone can contribute to.

2. Design and sketching: Once the group decides the concept, participants will work together to sketch out the design. The instructor often helps refine the plan and guides participants on how to map out the mural on the canvas. You should take into consideration that we will provide a large scale stencil, so that the companies’ logo stands out of the rest of the mural.

3. Executing the mural: The most exciting part of the workshop is when participants start working on the mural. The group divides tasks according to each person’s strengths or preferences. Some might focus on backgrounds, while others work on detailed elements. The instructor offers continuous advice and guidance, ensuring that participants are using the techniques properly. If required, the artist will give the final ‘professional’ touch.

Discussion and final group picture

As the street art mural gets to an end, participants show their surprise. FYI, it’s common that participants don’t have any expectations at the begining, but when it gets to the last part of the mural, they’re happy with the result. It always happens during our graffiti workshop, that there’s always a part of the group who doesn’t want it to finish, while others are looking for the food/drinks part.

The group will gather to reflect on the process. Did you hire the activity in the form of an a competition? Then the instructors will choose their favourite. There’s also a discussion element, where participants share their thoughts on the experience, how they worked together as a team, and what they learned. This moment encourages students to think critically about art as a form of expression, teamwork, and collaboration.

At the end of the team building event, participants have the chance to take photographs of their work. The completed graffiti mural is often photographed to commemorate the experience, and participants can keep these photos as a reminder of their creative journey.

What’s Cooltourspain opinion about the graffiti workshop?

We love this enriching and engaging experience. Moreover, the graffiti workshops allows us to interact with participants who have never been in touch with the street art community, at none of its forms (legal or illegal).

Still, we think that Barcelona is a leading city in the offer of legal walls. Differently to what happens in cities such as Madrid, the catalan capital counts with areas where any citizen can paint without the necessity of requesting a permission. Isn’t that awesome?