teen-graffiti-art-on-canvas, diy teen decor, MIY

MIY Teen Decor; Graffiti Canvas Art
C r e a t i o n s & I n s p i r a t i o n s
"f o r t h e p u r e j o y o f m a k i n g t h i n g s"

Miycreations article and photographs
by Madeleine M Langlois, MaddyLane Designs
Project Creations by Spencer Aitchison

MIY Teen Decor; Graffiti Art on Canvas:
“The writing is on the canvas” Tagged Art for teens
The word Graffiti means, “words or drawings, scratched or scribbled on a wall”. It
comes from a Greek word “graphein” (to write) and it is the plural of the Italian
word “graffito”. Today graffiti is attracting young people from a variety of cultural
backgrounds and all socioeconomic levels. The tools of the trade are wide tipped
markers and spray paints. Graffiti artists often use ‘tags’, which are fancy ways of
writing your name or nickname, usually decorated with a variety of stylish
markings. Skilfully written words or names are now being considered works of art,
and can be seen on everything from clothing to sports equipment.

I noticed my teenage son, drawing ‘graffiti-like’ text onto everything from paper
scraps to binder-covers. I thought his interest in graffiti would make a wonderful
artwork pieces to include in a decor exhibit that I took part in.

Hands-on time: Under two hours, depending on detail
Total time: Plus two hours for each varnish coat
Skill: Easy depending on artwork, younger kids can do this projects too
Cost: Less than $15

Materials & Tools that you will need for the various projects:
Artist canvas, ''Gallery'' Stretched Canvas style; (7” x 7”) (17.8 x 17.8 centimetres)
3D box style

Oil pastels in small diameter in assorted colors, by Grumbacher (there are so
many brands available, to see what colors you like and which ones you are
comfortable using try out a few samples at your local craft store)

Pencil

Drawing paper and graphite paper

Graffiti design of choice

Masking tape

Permapaque, Artist Markers by Sakura (they have two tips; wide and fine point all
in one. They are available in several colors)

Grey-and-white eraser (the grey to remove pencil marks and cleaning smudging)

A cloth

Workable Fixative by Krylon (final fixative spray for pastels, with a clear finish)

*Items for this project are available at arts and crafts stores.

Pre-primed canvases make ideal surfaces to create smaller graffiti-like art. On
paper, draw or write words of your choice (in this case it was the word “Paris”) to
use as your design template. With a pencil, draw the text directly onto the canvas,
or transfer it onto the canvas using graphite paper. Cut the design around the
edges. Cut a piece of graphite paper in the same size. Put the graphite paper
under the design cut-out, attaching both to the surface of the canvas with
masking tape. Use a pencil or pen to trace the design onto the canvas.

Colour in the word or text using 3 to 4 different colours of fine point oil pastels;
shading in areas around the edges of the letters.

Use scrap pieces of paper to practice shading first if preferred. Glide the pastels
smoothly onto the canvas surface and lift the tips, as soon as, the lines are
finished. You can use a cloth or your fingers to blend the colours to shade in
areas of the letters. Use a wide marker for the outlines. Add a colour border
around the letters.

The background area of the canvas around the word ‘Paris’ was left white. Use an
eraser to remove any pencil, graphite lines or pastel smudges.

To protect the pastel artwork against dusting and smudging, apply a coat of clear
spray fixative in a side-to-side motion for a uniform coverage. It fixes the pastels
without leaving a glossy finish. Several coats can be applied. Let it dry between
each coat. It dries fast.

Variations Using different sizes of canvases, let your teen create his or her own
mini art gallery to decorate their bedrooms. Larger canvases placed side by side
can really make a colorful visual impact. Smaller canvasses are perfect for
personalized tags or for individual letters to spell a word.

For younger children, a montage grouping can be created, to add color to a bare
wall. Paint several canvases, each one in a different solid acrylic color: yellow,
blue, green, etc. Then have your children doodle on them, using pastels, in
assorted bright colors. Thick wax-crayons or simply washable markers can be
used directly onto white canvases in assorted sizes. This is a great idea for a
birthday party activity that will keep young budding artists busy for at least five
minutes!

Safety Tips:
If your teen wants to do larger frames (or other items from their bedroom) using
spray paints, it is vital that they work in a well ventilated area and wear a
protective mask. Spray paint fumes are very toxic.
coat dry between applications.

Spencer's canvas art consists
of the word “Paris” in graffiti-
like text tag in pastels on a box
style canvas. Art is a fabulous
way to interact with your teens
and encourage their self-
expression and creativeness.
Using a genre of art that is
familiar to them, like graffiti, is
even better! This project
doesn't’t have to be done on
walls or come from a paint can,
what matters is that it is done in
the same spirit as the graffiti
style – free flowing self
expression, captured on
canvas.

Sharpies are ideal to use on canvas
or furniture for various graffiti decor
and art projects. They are fade, water
and abrasion resistant for a long
lasting durable mark. They can use
them on virtually any surface.