Handstyles....Plain/Simples compared to Techincal/Complex

[Royalblue]

One thing I've noticed recently, is that in my area and region, it seems like most of the writers who get up the most and/or are the most skilled tag their name in big simple letters with maybe an arrow on the side or underneath the tag...

I really don't feel that, but I also don't feel tags that are so technical/complex that I can't even read the shit. Especially technical shit from an obvious toy. That just looks tacky. I feel that when you get up with tags, you should have your own unique style to your tag, your own flare. Alot of the best writers tags I see around are so plain, they are near boring. No real depth or uniqueness.

Much of graffiti is creativity. So it's weird to me to see a lot of filthy writers getting up all in the same plain simple way. It's all generic, and not much originality. I mean I give these kats props for their ups no doubt, but I can't give them props for their style when they all have the same style you know. They may stand out for their name alone, but not for having their own unique original tagging style.

Now is this just something that's happening in the PNW or is this something you see in your area, LA, CHI, NY, DC, FL etc?

discuss....

[vharkano]

Nothing wrong with good solid letters in nice spots tho right ?? I mean you cant really expect the same mind blowing level of depth from tags, especially sometimes in tight spots, as pieces

[Royalblue]

Nah nothin wrong with it, but I would just expect more from writers who have their bomb and piece shit dialed. I get the point of what their doing, just making sure the tag is blatant, but you can make a tag blantant, with nice style. I'm jw if this big plain simple tag style is around other areas too, and if so, why...

[murderland_bgk]

my favorite hand styles are the baltimore and philly im not much of a fan of simple styles

[BOILFAST]

I like being able to read it, and then again philly wickeds are sick too.

i love west coasts shit ie. portland and vancouver

remio, hekto, raer etc...

[vharkano]

Nah nothin wrong with it, but I would just expect more from writers who have their bomb and piece shit dialed. I get the point of what their doing, just making sure the tag is blatant, but you can make a tag blantant, with nice style. I'm jw if this big plain simple tag style is around other areas too, and if so, why...

Give us an example of some of this simple style jazz your seein round your area ??

Yeah I like philly handys

[Realism]

Simple hands with a little flare are way harder than pissing paint all over a wall. Just saying.

[M_I]

i think both, when done correctly, are dope.

[Royalblue]

Give us an example of some of this simple style jazz your seein round your area ??

Yeah I like philly handys

For Instance, compare these two handy's.....
(the Aerub one)
http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae339/PushYourEdge/Great%20Seattle%20Graffiti/Blueaerubtag.jpg

http://i985.photobucket.com/albums/ae339/PushYourEdge/Oly%20graffiti/DSCN0413.jpg

These are both two well known and respected writers within the PNW graffiti scene who have both been writing for years. Notice the difference between handstyles?

You can both see what they say pretty much as soon as you look at them, but I personally feel Joins' way more than aerub's tag. I just would expect Aerub to have developed a more stylistic and original handstyle considering he's been writing for so long. Don't get me wrong, I'm not hatin on it at all. to quote common "If I don't like it, I don't like it. That don't mean that I'm hatin'."

Also, Katsu, who is up as much if not more than Joins and Aerub also writes his tags in really generic, plain, big simple letters....idk....i'm just surprised more writers don't steer away from the plain, generic and simple handy's like for example the way Joins has.

[.hopeless.]

just a matter of style.some people dont want to do their shit all complex.some of them just dont have the style i assume but then again those simple tags are quicker to get up.and if your more into bombing than you want something to put up quick.the quicker you can put up a tag the more you can put up and whatnot.a more complex tag is gonna take longer to drop than something really simple..



just a thought tho.idk why they right like that...everyone has their own reason for why they right the way they write.dont worry about it.

[Royalblue]

no worries man. i hear you tho.

I would just think that as the years go by, being a writer, your handstyle along with your piece and throwy game would get better and better. but hey, to each his own.

[TMoney718x]

Yea... I Live in nyc and I know what you're talkin about. but i'd rather see some tags with some amount of style even if it kinda plain than one that looks like its just thrown up without any style.

[pedoe]

I like being able to read it, and then again philly wickeds are sick too.

i love west coasts shit ie. portland and vancouver

remio, hekto, raer etc...

remio's hands are 10 times simpler than raer's

[BOILFAST]

And they're both sick...

flicks for those who don't know
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/205/514756063_50c45d45b0.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3578/3318031891_defb919469.jpg

both of those go hard eh?

and to the above joins vs aerub, i like em both but if i had to chose i'd go for aerubs

[Sluser]

simple is the most complex

[honkylipss]

no worries man. i hear you tho.

I would just think that as the years go by, being a writer, your handstyle along with your piece and throwy game would get better and better. but hey, to each his own.

Most of the kids that do these "simpler" handstyles do have better handstyles..they just like the way a simpler one looks. Thats just my experience.

[vharkano]

Yeah I see what ya mean. Personally dont like the Aerub tag at all ... but shit is all subjective anyways.

A lot of lads round these parts rock simpleish styles but ups is ups, in a city where the buff is brutal I think its better to have more straight up props and save the fancy ish for those special spots.

[shaolinmasta]

That joins is kinda shitty.

[Asian Eater]

no worries man. i hear you tho.

I would just think that as the years go by, being a writer, your handstyle along with your piece and throwy game would get better and better. but hey, to each his own.

Some writers don't tag as much and skip practicing their tags and go straight to bombing.

[n8galicia]

well look at frisco tags. out of towners say that shit looks like 3rd grade chicken scratch, but any bay area head will say it looks fresh. locals got their own handstlyes and w/e, but i agree. it is tacky to see some toy tag with 3 different arrows lol

[Swindle]

http://www.subwayoutlaws.com/tag%20page2/Futura200_tag%20copy.jpg

[ThirdRailRat]

i love the simple

[ThirdRailRat]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2165/2267784626_cb27b2d5f8.jpg?v=0
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2079/1814651764_dbdb980d0f.jpg?v=0
http://citynoise.org/upload/8894.jpg
http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4009/4211620949_4324318827.jpg
and as much as you love to hate
http://streetsy.typepad.com/photos/uncategorized/neckface_rome.jpg

[forsit]

BIG. UGLY. LETTERS. You're wack Royalblue. You're from Seattle and you can't respect that? Shame on you. As long as it's legible put it up. fuck it.

[Feed Yer Ego]

if you look at my books from like 10 years ago i had this real crazy, flowing, hard ass handstyle

i grew out of that tho

i just do whatever i feel now. if it's simple and ugly then that's what's up.

i

[pedoe]

http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/tonas_91/bee.jpg
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t112/tonas_91/blie.jpg

[bloodsweatxylene]

These are both two well known and respected writers within the PNW graffiti scene who have both been writing for years. Notice the difference between handstyles?


That aerub handstyle is complete garbage.
A well developed writer should not be putting out garbage like that.

In my oppinion, handstyles are completely overrated,
all the good writers around here only use handys for signing their pieces and hiding them in little scavanger spots.

Simples are nice for some things, but writers tend to forget about sticking to the basic principles of art with them, and they always wonder why they come out wack and get no respect.

[SoldOne]

i think a clean oneliner is where the moneys at. It takes skill time and practice to get one down and its one line so its quick! Best of both worlds

[DretheGod]

Hell yea on the one liners. When it comes to hands, I like simple; not aerub simple, but like that Nekst and Blief up there. As simple as those may seem, it's hard to make simple letters clean and smooth like that. I feel like that speaks much more than a bunch of unnecessary whips and arrows. But as stated by somebody earlier, this is strictly subjective and my own personal opinion.

[tells]

I've noticed a lot of writers with really stylized handstyles can't do the simples though. It's actually harder than it looks to make all your letters the same size, same width apart, etc.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3362/3653783118_a8f2c4264c_b.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2605/3888249277_f67c87a985_b.jpg

Snob and Rench have my favorite hands in this area. They just hit hard.
I always put a lot of effort into my tags, because that's what people will see the most, and if you have a nice tag, people will want to see more of your stuff.

[tells]

That aerub handstyle is complete garbage.
A well developed writer should not be putting out garbage like that.

In my oppinion, handstyles are completely overrated,
all the good writers around here only use handys for signing their pieces and hiding them in little scavanger spots.

Simples are nice for some things, but writers tend to forget about sticking to the basic principles of art with them, and they always wonder why they come out wack and get no respect.

The "Eccentric burners with 23490 arrows" thread is that> way, kid.

[iloveboxcars]

That aerub handstyle is complete garbage.
A well developed writer should not be putting out garbage like that.

In my oppinion, handstyles are completely overrated,
all the good writers around here only use handys for signing their pieces and hiding them in little scavanger spots.

Simples are nice for some things, but writers tend to forget about sticking to the basic principles of art with them, and they always wonder why they come out wack and get no respect.


this whole fucking post is hilarious.

you know exactly nothing about graffiti, congratulations.

[Realism]

I want to have an in depth look as to why handstyles are "completely overrated"

[Feed Yer Ego]

Simple hands with a little flare are way harder than pissing paint all over a wall. Just saying.


:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:

[Chicken McFucketts]

I prefer simple styles, complex styles are dope, but I get tired of them real quick.

[bloodsweatxylene]

Handstyles are completely overrated because anyone can get a couple elementary style letters on lock and draw on shit with a sharpie or two way glue pen.

To tells, on the contrary. You read my post as I hate simples and I hate handys. I really don't I just don't believe that a writer should be a well respected writer because he has a couple handys on a lot of metal doors, or a couple simples off some thruways.

And to you iloveboxcars, take your negativity elsewhere. You have no right to judge me.

[n8galicia]

In the words of Dream One: You gotta have dope tags, or else no one is going to wanna see your pieces.

[Chicken McFucketts]

Handstyles are completely overrated because anyone can get a couple elementary style letters on lock and draw on shit with a sharpie or two way glue pen.

..but what about good handstyles? Are they overrated aswell?

[n8galicia]

YO GUYZ TEH KRINKZ AND DEM EUROPEAN MARKERS ARE SO OVERRATED, THAT I GET UP WITH FINE-POINT SHARPIES I STOLE FROM MA SISTER

[iloveboxcars]

you pretty much need to be able to do tags to do decent letters.
you need to be able to do decent simples in order to understand how to fuck with the letters in order to make them 'wild' but still look good.


you know nothing. absolutely nothing. the hardest part of graffiti is learning letter structure, everything after that comes with ease.

[Realism]

Handstyles are completely overrated because anyone can get a couple elementary style letters on lock...

The same can be argued for the rest of graffiti.

I'm not even going for an e-lynching here but you really have no idea what you're talking about.

[Pew_Pew_Pew]

You just mad cuz these kings got famous with a simple handstyle and your intricate handstyle with a billion arrows aint shit.

Jus' sayin.

[bloodsweatxylene]

You guys are completely misunderstanding me. Yes, handstyles are an important part about graffiti, but you can't be a good writer just having a good handstyle.

And I can see where you're coming from about letter structure, that's very true. But don't dog me on saying that I know nothing about graffiti when I clearly do.

I don't see how a post about my oppinion on handstyles became this overplayed.

Seeing little kids all around your city talking about going out bombing with their brand name flowpens and masterpieces they bought with their mommies stolen credit card thinking that the bigger the name the better and crowding everything would make you have a different outlook on handstyles too.

Bottom line. Handstyles are important indeed, But so are throwies and pieces and burners aswell.

[n8galicia]

http://pix.motivatedphotos.com/2009/3/22/633733338747298060-facepalm.jpg

[iloveboxcars]

oh see, that actually makes sense almost. i mean, i wouldnt hate on handstyles, because they are (aside or in line with rooftops) my favorite kinds of graffiti, but i now see where you are coming from, but i strongly suggest you be more clear next time so we wont have to get into a shitty debate about something we dont even disagree on.

[LANEKone]

I think the plainer straight letter fillins, are the hardest because it takes porportion and a goood sense of keeping letters true to their form, unlike flowy and round fills where there is room for error.

[juspix]

simple or technical, you know a good hand when you see it. bump the philly love!! yall have good taste!!!

[SCBENCH]

a clear simple handstyle is going to stand out a lot more than some scribbly complicated shit you can't read. now here's some pictures.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3507/3992995271_7713b00822_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3280/2808427477_5980c88fdb.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3744368820_f18f22444c_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3187/2593320887_420806b312_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3491/3194076171_a7f2eed61f_b.jpg

[bloodsweatxylene]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2699/4385514315_d69c2c9be7.jpg

[.hopeless.]

both have their uses.complicated and more stylized ones are good for stuntin on fools and showing off your skills but simple ones are quicker to throw up and you can do them alot bigger alot easier.

it all comes down to personal taste though.do what you like and fuck everyone elses opinion.

[n8galicia]

http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n175/flexrox/0216081717.jpg


Each person has their own reasons for adopting a certain handstyle

[Delse]

:scowl: :scowl: ^

[BUMPINSLAPPERS]

who gives a shit, style is style whether it's simple or complex.
you can spot a toy simple hand from a better writers by a mile.

[Dubizm]

http://i49.tinypic.com/2hf4dtv.jpg

[Mindfux]

^^you bumped a 2 year old thread for that shit?


anyways, i can sort of dig what the OP is saying...Seattle isn't really known for it's "style"...a majority of the writers are all the BTM/3A types that are out to destroy, more than anything..that's a style in itself...the buff in Seattle is strong too (the law states that the building owner has a week to clean up graffiti within the notice, and each day after that is a $300 fine)...so that has something to do with it...alot of the stuff resembles the SF bus hopper shit.

[yardwanderer]

if you have good handstyles you do what you want but you can do whatever.