Few sports activities can compete with skateboarding in the case of model, tradition, and aesthetics (I imply, don’t let the bike people in right here, lol). Skateboarding has future hand-in-hand with teen riot, punk rock, wild hair, and naturally a street-smart, DIY angle. What screams particular person model greater than customizing your gear? And what higher option to make your deck durably distinctive—and grippier—than grip tape?
Conventional grip tape is a plain, black, sandpapery materials, made robust as hell. Nonetheless, over time, the skateboarding world has reworked grip tape from a purely utilitarian product right into a medium for inventive expression. Grip tape artistry has change into a means for skate boarders to personalize boards into daring statements. On this rundown of grip tape artistry, we’ll dive into the assorted methods that skaters use to rework their decks into artworks.
The Evolution of Grip Tape Artwork
As soon as, grip tape was only a sensible surfacing resolution. Launched within the Nineteen Seventies, it rapidly turned normal, usually utilized in a easy, purposeful method with out aesthetic frills. Quickly skaters got here to view their decks as extra than simply transportation—they turned expressions of private model. Grip tape artistry emerged within the Eighties and Nineties, with riders utilizing markers, paint, and custom-cut designs to make their boards stand out.
Early designs have been comparatively easy: logos, stripes, or primary patterns. However as skateboarding tradition advanced, so did the artistry of grip tape designs. At present, skate boarders develop grip tape’s boundaries into an artwork type.
Strategies for Grip Tape Artistry
1. Stencil Designs
Stencils enable for clear, sharp strains and precision by selectively blocking paint utilized to the board. Skate boarders can create their very own stencils or buy pre-made ones, usually that includes well-liked logos, graphics, or summary patterns. By spraying or portray the design onto the grip tape, skaters can get professional-looking graphics with minimal effort.
To make a stencil design, simply minimize out the specified form or sample from sturdy paper, plastic, or acetate sheets (masking tape may also be used). The stencil is positioned on the grip tape, and spray paint, acrylic paint, and even coloured chalk may be utilized over the stencil, making a daring (or generally intricate) design whereas holding the purposeful floor of the grip tape intact.
2. Freehand Drawing and Portray
For a extra private contact, freehand drawing or portray on grip tape is ideal. This method permits for full inventive freedom, and it’s attainable to supply something from easy doodles to intricate illustrations. Everlasting markers, acrylic paints, and even oil-based pens can be utilized to create detailed designs, whereas brushes, sponges, or spray paint can add completely different textures and kinds. Sidewalk chalk can be utilized for momentary designs that put on/wash off so new designs may be dropped with ease.
Freehand portray on grip tape usually requires persistence and precision. Layering can thicken the paint and assist it face up to the pounding taken beneath skating and stunts. Contrasting colours make paintings pop, and plenty of skaters incorporate components of graffiti, road artwork, or popular culture into their designs.
3. Reducing and Layering
Reducing and layering grip tape can create complicated, multi-dimensional designs. Artists minimize shapes out of the grip tape and layer them onto the deck in varied configurations. Patterns stand in aid, including depth and texture to the design. Frequent cut-out designs embody geometric shapes, tessellations, band logos, or symbols akin to skulls or hearts.
Very like scratchboard artwork, this method reveals the floor under: paint colours, pure wooden, or sticker designs may be seen beneath the grip tape. Illusions of depth may be created with shading. The layering of various textures and colours of grip tape can create mind-blowing design variations.
4. Combining Textures and Supplies
Past paint and markers, skate boarders can experiment with varied textures and supplies to create a particular design. Coloured grip tapes can be found in a rainbow of shades, from main colours to neons. Combining completely different colours of grip tape permits for loud patterns and even gradients to emerge.
Designers can also add components akin to material or stickers to boost the visible enchantment of their board. Supplies may be layered or utilized together with the grip tape so as to add texture or depth to the paintings. Shallow sculptural results are even attainable with supplies like caulk or Liquid Nails.
5. Textual content and Typography
Apart from imagery, many skaters drop textual content and typography into their grip tape designs. Whether or not it’s a catchphrase, a private slogan, or one thing we will’t say on the dinner desk, phrases can add statements or humor to the paintings. Daring fonts, stylized lettering, or graffiti-inspired scripts to make the textual content stand out in opposition to the darkish backdrop of the grip tape.
Daring typography is essential— utilizing letters which can be daring and well-positioned, because the grip tape’s texture can generally obscure finer particulars. Some skaters use contrasting colours, shadowing, or outlines round their textual content to make it pop. Performed skillfully, textual content could be a hanging option to talk one thing private or political.
6. Printed Choices—Purchase and Apply
Positive, you would possibly be capable to stencil Whats up Kitty onto a skateboard in your storage, however what if you would like Abe Lincoln wrestling an alligator, or a pleasant photograph of grandma? In case your artwork abilities aren’t as much as the duty, there are many industrial choices. Virtually any digital picture may be uploaded to a web based printer, and in simply a few weeks you may be skating proudly on Sincere Abe or Grandma Rosie. With on-demand printing, you’ll be able to flip your favourite imagery into {custom} skateboard make-up with out skinning your knuckles. Some concepts want skilled assist!
Conclusion
Grip tape artwork has change into greater than only a private contact for particular person skaters—it has influenced skateboarding tradition and commerce. Furthermore, grip tape artistry has gained recognition inside the broader artwork world, with galleries and exhibitions showcasing skate-inspired paintings. Whether or not you’re knowledgeable skater or a weekend rider, designing your grip tape presents a novel option to make your skateboard actually your individual.
