Foggy intro? This class hits fast. You’ll learn spray paint basics in Bogotá at OCIO Gallery, then put your own name to the wall in a throwup 3D style; you also get access to a gallery courtyard filled with prior pieces and Colombian art. I like that the instructor walks you through step-by-step, including a quick warm up for hands and arms. One thing to watch: some color cans can run out mid-session, and group mix (including families) can affect how focused the room stays.

If you’ve never touched a spray can, that’s exactly the point. The goal is simple and fun: invent a graffiti name and leave with a finished tag you designed with your own color choices. The session runs about two hours and caps at 10 people, so it’s small enough for real coaching, not just watching.

Key things that make this graffiti workshop different

• Beginners-first instruction with simple exercises before you touch the wall
• Create a throwup 3D tag using your invented name and practiced can control
• OCIO Gallery plus mural courtyard time, not just a paint-and-go setup
• Practical planning on thick paper before you spray
• Instruction from working street artists, including Cali (known professionally as TET)
• Small group energy with a max of 10 participants

Where it starts: OCIO Gallery near La Perseverancia

You’ll meet at Ocio Gallery on Cra. 5 #26b – 26 in Bogotá. This location matters. OCIO is more than a meeting point. It’s a cultural house with Colombian prints, plus a place you can explore before you start making your own mark.

In one review, the host space stood out because the gallery feels like a real stop in the creative ecosystem, with artwork on the walls and clothing items you might actually want to take home. If you’re hungry, you’re also close to plenty of food options around the La Perseverancia area, so you’re not stuck waiting nearby with nothing to do.

What to do when you arrive: take 10 minutes to look around. It helps you get your bearings fast, and it makes the workshop feel less like a “class” and more like you’re stepping into local art life.

One practical tip: since the courtyard is a working art space, wear something you don’t mind getting paint dust or overspray on. Even with guidance, spray art can be messy.

The 2-hour flow: how the session moves from hands to the wall

The workshop is designed to move quickly but not chaotically. It has a clear rhythm: explain the objective, show the materials, warm up your hands, demonstrate technique, then guide you through making your own piece.

You’ll start with a short presentation of what you’re making: a graffiti name rendered as a throwup 3D style. That means you’re not trying to paint a masterpiece you’ve seen online. You’re practicing a graphic street style that’s built for beginners. The instructor also requests consent for taking pictures, so don’t be surprised if you’re asked to okay photos before anything is recorded.

Then comes the fun part: the instructor does demonstrations that feel like performance art. One description includes the instructor mimicking a giant signature with a can in the air, which is a good sign you’ll learn through visible motion, not just rules and lectures.

The group size cap of 10 is a big deal here. When the instructor is coaching people one-on-one or correcting your spray angle, you don’t want a crowd.

Warm-up and can control: the basics you’ll actually use

Before anyone sprays, you’ll do a warm up for your body and hands. It might sound silly until you realize spray cans demand small wrist control and steady timing. Getting your fingers warmed up also makes you less likely to shake when you get to your first lines.

Materials are part of the lesson. You’ll have:

• spray cans
• graphic markers
• nozzles
• thick paper
• wall space

You don’t just get thrown into it. You’ll see and handle the tools, including cans being shaken well. That’s not a random step. It helps the can deliver consistent color so your lines don’t break up halfway through.

You’ll also practice a few foundation moves before the wall. In one detailed account, the instructor started with simple exercises like dots, lines, spirals, and then you work toward a tag. That sequence is smart. It’s easier to fix a bad wrist habit when you’re drawing on thick paper first.

Inventing your graffiti name (and why paper comes first)

Your project starts on paper. You’re asked to invent a graffiti name, then plan a throwup 3D version of it. The instructor will show how to map your letters so they have shape, spacing, and the “pop” effect that makes throwups readable from a distance.

In the class setup, you’ll be coached to plan your idea first, then choose colors and head to the wall. That is key to getting a good result in only two hours. If you jump straight to spraying, you’ll burn time and end up with a piece that looks unfinished.

A very practical moment: you’ll pick colors after planning, and the instructor helps you shape the finished tag so it really stands out. Not in a flashy marketing way. In a practical way: thick outlines, readable forms, and 3D-style shading that doesn’t blur into a mess.

One caution from a real experience: if some spray cans are empty or near-empty, your color choices can shrink. That can be frustrating, especially if you already pictured a specific palette. If you’re picky about your colors, go in with a flexible plan.

The spray technique lesson: what the instructor corrects

This is where the workshop earns its rating. In at least one session, the instructor was Cali, known professionally as TET. The teaching style described is hands-on and specific: he helped participants start with basic motions, then coached while people worked, adjusting technique to get better shape and smoother fill.

What you’ll likely focus on:

• consistent distance from the wall
• controlling the “blast” width with nozzle handling
• timing your spray so lines don’t blob
• using outlines and fills to create 3D effect

The instructor also gives lots of ideas and pointers while you plan. That can save you from the most common beginner mistake: trying to draw letters that are too detailed for the time and the tool.

If you’re thinking, I don’t know how to write graffiti letters, that’s fine. The session is built for that fear. You’re practicing a style that has rules, but not the rules of a calligraphy class.

Painting in the courtyard: murals, tags, and the real feel of Bogotá street art

After planning, you move into the courtyard area behind the gallery. Walls there are covered with experiments and tags from past participants, so you’re not starting on a blank screen. Seeing other work helps you understand how the style lands on real surfaces.

The workshop includes wall space, so you’re not hunting for a “spot.” You’ll get time to apply your design with guidance. And because this is hosted at a cultural house with visible murals and pictures, the whole experience feels tied to a place, not just a one-off activity.

This part is also where the atmosphere can change. One review described the session as less adult-focused because it included families traveling together, and kids were running around. I’m not saying that should happen every time, but it’s a real consideration. If you want a calm, craft-focused vibe, you might prefer to schedule at a time when the group is mostly adults.

For your own comfort, also think about clothing and shoes. Spray art sessions can produce overspray and residue. You’ll want something you can move in and not stress about.

Photos and etiquette: how the class handles documentation

Because this is art in progress, you might want to take photos of your piece or the courtyard walls. The workshop requests consent for taking pictures, so the respectful approach is to ask before photographing other participants up close.

Also, don’t expect a “museum-style” stop where everything is silent. This is a working creative space. Even when people are polite, it’s still a social environment. If you’re filming or taking lots of shots, keep it considerate so the instructor can still correct your technique.

Price and value: is $58 worth two hours of spray art?

At $58 per person for about two hours, this workshop can be good value if you want the hands-on coaching more than the sightseeing. You’re not just buying time in a booth. You’re paying for:

• instruction aimed at beginners
• materials (spray cans, markers, nozzles, thick paper)
• guided planning of a completed tag
• wall space
• access to the gallery/cultural house context

What’s not included is also worth noting: transportation, food, and tips are not covered. So you’ll want to factor in your commute and any meal timing around the class.

The small group size (max 10) is one of the best parts of the value equation. In a larger group, the same price might feel overpriced because you’d get less personal feedback. Here, you can actually get correction while you work.

The best way to judge value for yourself: if you want to learn spray technique you can use elsewhere, this price feels reasonable. If you only want a quick photo op and don’t care about learning, you might decide it’s not for you.

Who should book this Bogotá graffiti workshop

This is a strong match if you:

• are new to spray paint and want a beginner-friendly structure
• like street art and want to understand it from the maker’s side
• want a small-group, guided creative souvenir
• enjoy doing an activity that includes planning, practicing basics, then producing something

It also seems to work well for families, at least in some cases. One review mentioned a guide named Diego being interactive with kids during a family visit. That said, if you want the most focused adult-only vibe, be aware that group makeup can vary.

Since most travelers can participate, you don’t need special artistic experience. The session is built around technique basics, not talent.

One more reality check: this is aerosol art. You’ll do better if you accept that it can get a little messy and imperfect. That’s part of the learning curve.

Should you book it? My decision guide

Book this workshop if you want a guided, beginner-friendly way to make a real graffiti piece in Bogotá—plus a cultural gallery visit with murals and Colombian art around you. The combination of hands-on coaching and a clear creative outcome (a throwup 3D tag with your name) makes it a satisfying use of two hours.

Skip it or reconsider if you need a quiet, adult-only studio feel, or if you’re extremely color-specific and hate the idea of potential color shortages. Also, if you’re sensitive to mess, plan your clothing accordingly.

If you’re curious about Bogotá street art culture and you’d rather leave with something you made than just something you watched, this is a smart choice.

FAQ

What is the meeting point for the workshop?

You meet at Ocio Gallery, Cra. 5 #26b – 26, Bogotá, Colombia, and the activity ends back at the same meeting point.

How long is the Fun Graffiti Workshop?

The workshop lasts about 2 hours.

What does the $58 price include?

It includes spray cans, graphic markers, nozzles, thick paper, wall space, and a visit to the cultural house with murals and pictures of the experience.

What is not included in the price?

Transportation, food, and tips are not included.

How many travelers are in the group?

The workshop has a maximum of 10 travelers.

Is the workshop only for experienced graffiti artists?

No. It’s designed for beginners or enthusiasts with no previous spray paint experience.

Will I receive confirmation after booking?

Confirmation is received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability.

What are the cancellation rules?

You can cancel for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the start time. If you cancel less than 24 hours before, the amount paid is not refunded.