GRAFF: The Art & Technique of Graffiti Paperback – February 20, 2009

I recently purchased a copy of this book and I love it! I am not an artist by any stretch of the imagination, but I greatly enjoyed the detailed history Mr. Martinez included in this fine instructional manual, which is also a visual feast. High quality, full color photographs of all the techniques he describes, demonstration photos of Mr. Martinez in action, and as another reviewer pointed out, suggestions to make your own graff art legal while on public display, all combine to make this a must-have book for anyone who is an artist, who enjoys looking at or making art, or who just wants to feel happy and relaxed looking at all the wonderful colors Mr. Martinez has used in this book.Put this book on your coffee table before you invite friends over, then stand back and prepare to be amazed!

I ordered two books this one more aimed at the wall graffiti artist and Graffiti Diplomacys Learn to draw a graffiti masterpiece(more in depth for the sketch artist super detailed with examples.) This review is for Graff.Multifaceted book.literary and visual work of art+complete tag tutorial and examples+color how to+graffiti history bits w/ respects paid to pioneersLEROY WAS HERE, RIP DONDi+basic letter how to+accents and flourishes how to+beautiful beautiful illustrations and artwork wow+perfect book design for artist 11x8 opposite of regular ruled paper+simple practical designOverall it shoots you out the spray can onto a wall and takes you step by step through the process of idea inception to finished piece. Was overwhelming to see the world of graffiti explode onto paper in front of me lol. I'm humbled and grateful for eScape's careful attention to detail and his artistic ability.

This is a must buy, by the master of graffiti.Great descriptions on how to make a mural to a high standard. The colour schemes are out of this world. I love this book!

I picked up this book because I have always been a fan of graffiti. I bought Graff and as usual it arrived before the estimated delivery date. The book covers a brief history of graffiti and shows examples from different artists. I really enjoyed the section on lettering and common styles which I was able to apply to my own art. The other section I really enjoyed was the tools section. It covers the "tool kit" that most artists carry and explains the different cases for using them and the different effects you can make. Graff is a great intro to street art and teaches some skills you can take back to your own art work.

i got this for a my girl and she wasn't to happy with this book. i thought it was interesting. with the different bombs and such. but i guess it's not what my girl expected it would be.

Just received my copy yesterday and I am blown away with the quality of the art and photos in it! This is an unprecedented manual that really breaks down the art of graffiti to understandable steps. The way cool graphics and eye popping colors make this a must have for all artists and art educators. Mr. Martinez is not only a master technician but an exceptional teacher as well in the way that he explains, technique, materials, styles, the elements of art and, incredibly the HISTORY of graffiti in a very short, sequential page by page format. As an educator I also appreciated his disclaimers about the legal ramifications of "tagging" and how you can turn your graff skills into appropriate and appreciated art.

Inspirational in a word. It has helped me improve my art, and given me some insights into the art I was not privilege too. My only complaint is there is not enough of a break down of how to draw different styles, or how to color. I feel that it glazes over these subjects briefly instead of breaking them down in small fractions. For example I can follow the step by step of one letter to flash it out! But what about the other 26? I'm left to my own devices. But I can't deny that the book is still helpful and very instructive! Almost worth every penny! I would buy it again. And what's more, I will buy the 2nd volume and the book on coloring. It's that good!

I saw this book initially at an art supply store next to a display for Montana spray cans. Kudos to the art supply store for pushing two products at once, excellent marketing techniques. I have been into graffiti for many years now, however I have never been able to spend the hands on time needed to refine my craft and actually work with spray cans. This book has helped me catch up on that missed time. This book is not just for beginners, advanced graffiti artists can find excellent value in this book to help them on their path to urban art greatness. Scape has done an excellent job verbally and visually with this book to allow for users to practice their craft and become better artists. It is like taking an introductory course on graffiti without a live professor. Well done, very pleased with this book!

Great book! So useful for the beginner to learn about this art-world :)

I purchased this book expecting it to have the basics to improve graffiti sketching, drawing and spray-painting. This book does exactly that and also has a very nice timeline throughout the book stating different dates in street art history dating to very far back. One other thing I like is the way it explains the reasons why different things were added to graffiti and what artists intended to represent by it.The only thing is that if you are only interested in the drawing of graffiti only 40% is relevant as it also talks a lot about spray-painting.DEFINITIVELY RECOMMEND TO ANYONE INTERESTED IN IMPROVING THEIR GRAFFITI SKILLS!!!!!!!!

Book as advertised at an amazing price!

A book that celebrates, defines and illustrates the most wonderful, dynamic, and vibrantly colourful world of Graffiti. Graffiti is an art form that is of our times, all around us, and not tarred with the hidebound 'brush' of yesterday's static interpretation of the traditional artist as typified in art colleges and mausoleum moulded galleries charging money to enter. Graffiti is for everyone, it is the future, and it is for free.This excellent work does justice to the journey of understanding to give just about anybody the wherewithal to become a graffitist.

Great book ,bought it for my son for inspiration and other techniques of graffiti art which he could learn,so good ,bought Graff 2 after purchasing this book.