Throw ups, or throwies, are a form of

graffiti Graffiti (singular ''graffiti'', or ''graffito'' only in graffiti archeology) is writing or drawings made on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from simple written "monikers" to elabor ...

that fall between tags and pieces in complexity. The name comes from the way they are designed to be "thrown" onto a surface as quickly as possible. They are almost always done with

aerosol paint Spray paint (formally aerosol paint) is paint that comes in a sealed, pressurized can and is released in an aerosol spray when a valve button is depressed. The propellant is what the container of pressurized gas is called. When the pressure hold ...

Form

Throw ups are typically the writer's

moniker A nickname, in some circumstances also known as a sobriquet, or informally a "moniker", is an informal substitute for the proper name of a person, place, or thing, used to express affection, playfulness, contempt, or a particular character trait ...

in large "bubble-letters", with or without a fill. Throw ups without fills are called hollows. Throw ups are sometimes done using only the first two or three letters of the moniker in a throw up to quicken the process, especially if the writer uses a longer name. Throw ups are done with fast, pre-planned body movements to enhance speed. This speed means that writers can produce large amounts of throw ups in a short time, especially when compared with pieces. Defining characteristics of skilled throw up include letter height consistency, letter shape conformity along the top and the bottom, minimal

negative space In art and design, negative space or negative volume is the empty space around and between the subject(s) of an image. In graphic design this is known as white space. Negative space may be most evident when the space around a subject, not th ...

, and clean lines. The line between pieces and throw ups is sometimes blurred, but throw ups tend to be faster to paint, have fewer colours, and prioritise speed over style.

History

Throw ups originated in the

New York City Subway The New York City Subway is a rapid transit system in New York City serving the New York City boroughs, boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx. It is owned by the government of New York City and leased to the New York City Tr ...

in the 1970s and started as larger versions of tags before evolving into their own style. Compared to tags and pieces, throw ups have not changed as much since their origins.

References

{{Street art category: Graffiti and unauthorised signage