Because I am Like A nimble Ninja! That is how and why. I snap a few lines, decide on how drippy to make tha paint in relation to surface texture, wind, temp and personal speed of my metabolism at the time. I can get an area of about 6' overall to paint while in one spot of the ladder. And holding on to a wall is NO fun!!. If your up there for a while, the wood can flex and give vertigo, ANd the time and effort of luggin boards around!! And having the platform will make you needy in the sence that you will want to take more crao up there with youe and instill risk factors like trippin or droppin stuff. So the ladder is awesome, if you monitor and I watch out for what I call...'Parrot-Foot'! from time spent in one foot position. At this point I don't use any guide-lines for adresses and such. I just start painting. I am not about or never have been about graffiti though. But when you write signs like writing a letter, magic happens! I used to measure and try all other methods but in the past 4 years or so, the 6-7 years prior to that learning on my own have paid off and things are pretty fluid now.
Even with the building texture, it would only take about 10 minutes, maybe 15 to drop-shadow or outline a sign like you painted. even on a ladder.
These days I am looking to go after those pinstripers and their stupid brushes. I Tattoo and have been in that industry as well and have no respect for the graffiti/rockabilly types who have flooded the scene with there hype. I'm just waiting for the computer to take a back seat as well.
It pisses me off when i have worked so hard to learn what is natural and others take the market with tools and un-(L)earned abilities. If it wasn't for vehicle leases the wrap business would be good for not much.
This one took me one day and was all freehand, on ladder only.
"If I could fly-I'd paint the sky!!!"