Graffiti is more than spray paint on a wall. It has its own history, language, tools, styles and creative traditions.

Intro to Graffiti & Street Art is a hands-on six-week course with local graffiti artist DEKS that takes you from the foundations of graffiti culture through lettering, tags, bombs, stencil work, pieces and character design.

You’ll work with real graffiti tools including chisel-tip markers, mop markers, paint markers and spray cans while developing your own visual style. Across the six weeks, you’ll create several finished pieces while building the skills and confidence needed to continue into more advanced graffiti work.

Course Schedule (6 Weeks)

Week 1: Graffiti & Street Art Culture

• Explore graffiti and street art as distinct creative mediums.
• Learn about the origins, evolution and culture of graffiti locally and around the world.
• Break down foundational graffiti terms, concepts and styles.
• Look at examples of graffiti and street art from Ottawa and internationally.
• Spray-paint unique backgrounds onto surfaces that will be used in later projects.

Week 2: Marker & Can Control 101

• Learn the fundamentals of graffiti lettering and explore different alphabet styles.
• Develop your own graffiti alter ego and begin establishing a personal tag.
• Experiment with chisel-tip markers, mop markers and spray cans.
• Explore different spray caps and how they affect line width, coverage and control.
• Build confidence using graffiti tools in UAC’s dedicated paint room.

Week 3: Stencil Street Art

• Explore the history and techniques of stencil-based street art.
• Look at work by established stencil artists and examine different approaches to the medium.
• Practise spraying simple stencil designs.
• Create a finished stencil artwork using a hydro-dipped vinyl record prepared earlier in the course.

Week 4: Tags & Bombs

• Explore different approaches to graffiti tags and lettering styles.
• Practise and refine your own tag until you establish a consistent core style.
• Learn what separates a tag from a graffiti bomb.
• Experiment with different bomb styles and develop your own core bomb design.

Week 5: Graffiti Pieces

• Examine graffiti pieces and styles from established artists around the world.
• Explore the process behind a finished piece, including outlines, fills, dimensional effects and finishing details.
• Begin identifying the styles and approaches that appeal to you.
• Create a straight-letter graffiti piece using metallic marker on black cardstock.

Week 6: Character Work

• Explore different approaches to graffiti character design.
• Study examples and experiment with building your own characters.
• Take part in a collaborative character battle featuring work from the class.
• Create a finished graffiti character using paint markers on canvas.

By The End Of This Course, You Will

• Understand the origins, evolution and cultural significance of graffiti and street art.
• Understand the fundamentals of graffiti lettering, tags, bombs, pieces and character design.
• Develop your own graffiti tag and bomb style.
• Confidently use chisel-tip markers, mop markers, paint markers and spray cans.
• Understand how different spray caps affect line, coverage and control.
• Create stencil work, lettering pieces and original graffiti characters.
• Complete several finished artworks across different graffiti and street-art techniques.

What We Provide

• Spray Paint: Water-based and acrylic-based spray paints for demonstrations, exercises and finished work.
• Graffiti Tools: Chisel-tip markers, mop markers, paint markers, specialized spray caps and stencil materials.
• Art Surfaces: Vinyl records, 8 × 10 canvases and black cardstock for finished projects.
• Stencil Supplies: Stencils and the tools required for stencil-based street art projects.
• Studio Facilities: Classroom workspace and access to UAC’s dedicated ventilated paint room.

What To Bring & Requirements

• Blackbook: Bring a dedicated sketchbook for lettering, tags, character ideas and course exercises.
• Drawing Tools: Bring pencils and any other drawing tools you enjoy working with.
• Clothing: Wear clothes and shoes that can handle paint.
• Experience: No previous graffiti or street-art experience is required.

Event Details

• Dates: Starting Sunday, October 4
• Time: 5:00 PM–6:30 PM
• Format: 6 weekly sessions · 1.5 hours each
• Location: Urban Art Collective Art Hub, 50 Bayswater Avenue, Ottawa
• Instructor: DEKS
• Level & Audience: Beginner-friendly. Designed for adults interested in learning graffiti and street-art fundamentals.
• Maximum Capacity: 12 attendees
• Minimum Enrolment: 6 attendees required