Graffiti feels intimidating until someone teaches you the basics, then it gets fun fast in Bogotá’s Macarena. This 2-hour graffiti workshop mixes marker drawing fundamentals with spray-can technique, so you build a real piece by the end, not just a doodle. I especially like how the session uses color theory and contrast tricks to help you get a convincing 3D throw-up look.

Two things I really like: first, the flow from sketching to spraying is organized and beginner-friendly. Second, the class adds playful elements like chromotherapy and imagination games, which keeps your brain engaged instead of just chasing fumes and fear. One thing to consider, though, is that spray color can drip, so plan on a little mess.

Key points you’ll care about

• Marker-first training: You start with markers and drawing basics before touching spray cans.
• 3D effects through contrast: You learn to create dimension using opposite colors and visual contrast.
• Create your own graffiti name: The main goal is an original graffiti name and throw-up.
• Wall or paper options: You can paint on a wall space or thick paper, depending on what you’re doing in the moment.
• Beginner and advanced paths: Basic is for people with no spray experience, advanced can include realism, stencils, and characters.
• Small-group feel: Private or small groups are available, which matters when you want hands-on guidance.

Macarena workshop base and the mural-house vibe

You meet in downtown Bogotá at Tapas Macarena, on Calle 26b #4 13. You’ll spot your guide wearing a purple hoodie, cap, or using an umbrella. The meeting point matters because it gets you into the Macarena neighborhood area quickly, rather than spending your time hunting down a random side street.

The workshop takes place at a cultural house and garden setting tied to Macarena. That location is part of the point. You’re not learning graffiti as a sterile skill with a blank-room vibe. You get a walk through a space with murals and pictures of the experience, which helps you understand graffiti as part art and part identity, not just vandalism.

This is also one of those activities where the setting calms the nerves. Seeing how other pieces look in that same environment helps you picture what you’re making, even if you’re starting from zero.

From markers to spray cans: how the 2-hour skills build

This class is designed around a simple idea: you learn control first. The workshop covers the basics of drawing and color theory, then moves you into marker sketching so you can plan your layout. Only then do you shift into spray techniques.

Here’s what you’ll actually work on during the session:

1) Markers and drawing basics

You start with markers to learn how to build letters and shapes cleanly. This step is smart because it slows everything down. You can mess up without wasting paint. You can correct your spacing. And you get your hand used to the style.

2) Sketching with markers

After the basics, you sketch your design. The goal is not perfection. The goal is a blueprint. You’re setting up your graffiti name and your throw-up concept so that when spray time arrives, you already know where each color goes.

3) Spray technique and color theory in action

With guidance, you practice can control and filling techniques. The workshop specifically mentions gradients and using opposite colors with contrast to create dimensional effects. That means you’re not just spraying randomly. You’re learning how color transitions create the illusion of depth.

In one recent booking, the instructor named Diego took a participant from marker fundamentals all the way to painting a 3D design on the wall. That is exactly the kind of progression you want when time is limited. You do not want a class that stays theoretical.

Making your graffiti name and throw-up (without needing “talent”)

The central objective is practical and motivating: you create your own graffiti name and throw-up. That’s the difference between learning a technique and producing something personal.

You’ll likely spend time thinking about:

• Letter style and readability: graffiti names are meant to be seen, even from a distance.
• Gradient planning: gradients make your letters look rounded and alive.
• 3D illusion rules: using opposite colors and contrast gives the depth effect.

This is where the chromotherapy and imagination games come in. Even if you’re not into the science angle, the effect is real. Those exercises nudge you to experiment with color combinations and keep your creativity moving, instead of freezing over what to write or how to shade.

And I think this is the real value for first-timers. You might show up thinking you have no talent. The workshop structure gives you steps to follow. One booking highlighted that the results can be surprisingly good even when you do not consider yourself artistic.

Wall time vs thick paper: what you’ll be painting

You’ll have options for where you paint, based on what the workshop provides that day: a wall space or thick paper. The included supplies cover spray cans, graphic markers, nozzles, thick paper, and wall space, so you are not scrambling for gear.

So what’s the practical difference?

• Painting on the wall

Wall time is the adrenaline part. It also gives you the clearest payoff, because graffiti is meant for walls. The downside is that you have to manage bigger space, and your timing matters more. You might also notice that more paint means more chances for drips, so wear what you can accept getting stained.

• Painting on thick paper

Paper is forgiving. You can focus on color transitions and letter forms without the same pressure as a wall. This can be a good choice if you want a clean result and you are cautious about mess.

Either way, the workshop teaches the same core ideas: can control, filling, gradients, and the way opposite colors and contrast can create dimension.

What to wear (because spray color can drip)

Here’s the most grounded piece of advice I can give: wear clothes you do not mind if they get splashed. In one booking, the instructor team specifically came with the warning that paint can drop, and the participant guidance was to bring older clothing.

This is not a reason to skip the class. It’s a reason to prepare like you’re doing hands-on art. If you show up in your good shirt, you will probably feel stressed the entire time. If you show up in old clothes, you can focus on the letters and the shading.

Also, if you have any fabric you care about, skip it. Spray style art is charming, but it is still paint in motion.

Beginner and advanced options, plus language support

The workshop is split into two modes, and that flexibility is a big part of the value.

Basic Street Art Workshop

This version is designed for beginners or enthusiasts with no previous experience with spray paint. The class covers fundamentals, then you create your own graffiti name and throw-up. If you want to understand spray control without being thrown into complex techniques, this is the right entry point.

Advanced Street Art Workshop

If you already have some familiarity and want more, the advanced workshop is tailored for a deeper street art exploration. Options mentioned include realism with spray paint, political stencil art, and character creation alongside renowned artists. It can also be customized to meet your needs, including duration and skill level.

If you’re unsure which level fits, lean toward basic if your goal is to produce an original piece and learn control. Advanced makes more sense when you already understand letter structure and want to add style layers like realism, stencils, or characters.

Instructor languages

The instructor supports multiple languages: English, Spanish, German, French, and Italian. That matters because graffiti technique is physical. You want clear explanations for things like can control, nozzle handling, and how to build gradients.

Price and value in Bogotá: what $115 buys you

The price is listed as $115 per group up to 1, and the duration is 2 hours. That pricing structure is important. It suggests you are not paying for a giant bus-load class where you barely get touched by the instructor. Instead, you’re paying for a private or small-group style lesson where the time matters.

What you get for the money is also practical:

• Spray cans
• Graphic markers and nozzles
• Thick paper
• Wall space
• A visit to a cultural house with murals and pictures of the experience

The supplies are included, which is a real cost saver. Buying spray gear for one try is usually more expensive than a guided session. And you get the guidance on the techniques that typically take longer to figure out alone, especially gradients and can control.

Two things not included: pick-up service and food or drinks. So you’re planning your own meals around it. If you time it right, the class becomes a tight, satisfying block of time in the day.

Overall, $115 for a focused 2-hour workshop with materials included feels like fair value if you want an actual output, not just a taste.

Practical planning tips before you go

This is a hands-on workshop, so treat it like one. A few practical pointers:

• Wear old clothes, since paint drips can happen.
• Bring your curiosity about letter styles and color combinations, because the class is structured around markers, gradients, and contrast.
• Think of your graffiti name as your project. The workshop is built to help you finish that goal in a short timeframe.
• If you have a specific style preference, mention it early during the session, since advanced options can target realism, stencils, or characters.

Also, if you’re scheduling this in Bogotá, the Macarena neighborhood location helps you combine it with other downtown plans afterward. Two hours is a manageable chunk of time, especially when you want something more creative than another museum stop.

Should you book this graffiti workshop in Bogotá?

Book it if you want a guided graffiti experience that starts with basic drawing and quickly moves to spray techniques and color effects. You’ll like it if you enjoy hands-on art, you want to leave with your own graffiti name throw-up, and you appreciate step-by-step instruction over guesswork.

Skip it if you strongly dislike paint mess, because the supplies and techniques are messy by nature, and drips are part of the reality. Also, if you expect someone to handle food or transport from your hotel, plan on doing that yourself since pick-up and refreshments are not included.

If you’re looking for a creative activity in Bogotá that feels local, not touristy, and actually teaches you something you can use again, this workshop is a solid bet. The marker-to-spray progression and the 3D color lessons are the kinds of details that make the two hours feel worth it.

FAQ

How long is the graffiti workshop in Bogotá?

The workshop lasts 2 hours.

How much does it cost?

The price is listed as $115 per group up to 1.

What is included in the workshop?

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

Do I need previous experience with spray paint?

For the basic workshop, it is designed for beginners or enthusiasts with no previous experience with spray paint.

Where do we meet?

You meet in front of Tapas Macarena at Calle 26b #4 13. Look for your guide with a purple hoodie, cap, or umbrella.

Are pick-up service and food or drinks included?

No. Pick-up service is not included, and food and drinks are not included.