Video: Learn Graffiti Lettering Basics from Apexer

Apexer is a street artist who creates colorful, spray-painted murals around the world.

Using a visual foundation based in graffiti art and Chinese calligraphy, Apexer abstracts letterforms to create complex, dynamic compositions for his street art projects. Often creating artworks that communicate the vibe of the neighborhood where they are on view, Apexer’s painted gestures are accessible to a wide audience, and are constantly expanding upon the core element of his work: the letters of his nickname.

Watch Apexer describe some of the basics of his art form:

Listen here to the story of Cave, an 11-year-old graffiti artist based in San Francisco who started creating lettering since before his hands were big enough to hold a spray can. Cave now interns for Apexer.

Want to learn? Here are some Bay Area studios that’ll help you get started in the art of graffiti lettering:

1AM, Oakland/San Francisco
A teaching gallery that offers graffiti classes, workshops and tours.

Precita Eyes, San Francisco
Offers a workshop on the third Tuesday of every month. For two hours you’ll learn how to plan, organize, budget and design a mural with a community.

Visual Element, East Oakland
A mural arts program that serves high school youth. Offers spray can techniques, social activism, graphic design, and portfolio development.

The Arsenal, San Jose
Offers youth spray can technique classes during the summer. For adults, spray can technique is woven into some of the drawing and painting classes.

New Bohemia Signs, San Francisco
Offers a two-day class on sign painting. You’ll learn the basics of brush lettering, and at the end of the class you’ll receive a lettering quill and a finished small sign of your own design.