Sketching street art and designing graffiti letters
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can design and sketch my own graffiti-style letters, using shape, colour, and shadow to create bold, expressive lettering.
Key learning points
- Graffiti letters use exaggerated shapes and styles to express identity and creativity.
- Structure and sketching help develop balanced, bold graffiti lettering.
- Colour, shadows, shapes and outlines enhance impact and make designs more dynamic.
Keywords
Graffiti - writing or images that have been sprayed, stencilled, painted, scratched or drawn on a public space
Typography - the art and technique of arranging letters and text to make written language visually appealing
Letter style - the overall appearance of a letter such as block, bubble, or wildstyle
Tag - a stylised signature or nickname used by graffiti artists to mark their work
Outline - the bold line that surrounds graffiti letters, making them stand out
Common misconception
Graffiti letters are always supposed to be messy or hard to read.
While some graffiti can be abstract or complex, many styles focus on legibility and clarity, especially in tags and block letters. Graffiti artists often balance style with readability, making their work both creative and accessible.
Teacher tip
Model sketching a graffiti letter slowly and narrate each step - this helps build pupil confidence. Emphasise creativity and expression over perfection to encourage experimentation.
Equipment
A4 or A3 sketch paper. Pencils and erasers. Coloured pencils or felt-tip pens. Rulers. Graffiti lettering template or alphabet reference sheet.
Licence
Lesson video
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Prior knowledge starter quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Street artists often use public spaces to express ideas or messages.
Q2.Which of the following best describes a stencil?
Q3.What is the name for artwork created in public places, often using spray paint or stencils?
Q4.Street art can include ...
Q5.What is a mural?
Q6.Match the keywords to the definition:
A large artwork painted or applied directly onto a wall or ceiling.
Writing or images e.g. sprayed, stencilled on a public wall.
An open space that is accessible to everyone e.g. streets and parks.
Assessment exit quiz
6 Questions
Q1.True or false? Graffiti is often viewed as rebellious.
Q2.What is the main purpose of using shadow in graffiti lettering?
Q3.What do you call the style of lettering used in graffiti art that is bold and creative, often drawn in a unique way to make it stand out?
Q4.Which of these are types of graffiti lettering? Select all that apply:
Q5.Match the key word to its correct definition:
sprayed or painted writing or images on a public space
a stylised signature or nickname used by graffiti artists
the overall appearance of a letter such as block, bubble, or wildstyle
the bold line that surrounds graffiti letters, making them stand out
Q6.Put these steps in order for designing graffiti-style letters:
To help you plan your 6 art and design lesson on: Sketching street art and designing graffiti letters, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 6 art and design lesson on: Sketching street art and designing graffiti letters, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom. Plus, you can set it as homework or revision for pupils and keep their learning on track by sharing an online pupil version of this lesson.
Explore more key stage 2 art and design lessons from the Street Art: digital and new media unit, dive into the full primary art and design curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.