Stencil Graffiti - makes use of a paper

Stencil Graffiti makes use of a paper, cardboard, or other media to create an image or text that is easily reproduceable. The desired design is cut out of the selected medium and then the image is transferred to a surface through the use of spray paint or roll-on paint.

The process of stencilling involves applying paint across a stencil to form an image on a surface below. Sometimes multiple layers of stencils are used on the same image to add colours or create the illusion of depth.

Those who make and apply stencils have many motivations. For some, it is an easy method to produce a political message. Many artists appreciate the publicity that their artwork can receive. And some just want their work to be seen. Since the stencil stays uniform throughout its use, it is easier for an artist to quickly replicate what could be a complicated piece at a very quick rate, when compared to other conventional tagging methods.

One of the foremost graffiti artists who uses stencils extensively is Banksy.

Stencil on bikeway in Seville (Spain).Stencil graffiti subculture has been around for the last twenty-five years, starting with Blek le Rat in Paris. Blek le Rat is considered the godfather of stencil art. His first stencil was spray painted in 1981 and has continued to the present. Le Rat was influenced by the graffiti artists of New York City but wanted to create something of his own. Over the years this form of graffiti has become a worldwide subculture. The members are linked through the Internet and the images spray-painted on the urban canvas they place throughout the world.

Many of its members connect through blogs and websites that are specifically built to display works, get feedback on posted works, and receive news of what is going on in the world of stencil graffiti. Stencil graffiti is illegal and many of the members of this subculture shroud their identities in aliases. Banksy, Blek le Rat, C215, Vhils, 157, Haha, Logan Hicks and Shepard Fairey are some names that are synonymous with this subculture. As for local stencil artists, they are fairly veiled and are hard to reach.