Learn to Draw Bubble Graffiti Letters

If you are designing a sign, flyer, or poster using hand-drawn letters, an interesting and fairly simple effect is to draw the letters as if they are formed from bubbles or balloons. By using color pencils, crayons or watercolors, you can create eye-catching headers for your signage. In this example we will use color pencils to draw and shade the lertters.

Step1 Sketch Letter Framework Sketch out the basic frames of your letters using a block-letter format. All you need is a simple straight-line sketch of each letter. (Stencils can be also be used to sketch in the framework.) Sketch the lines very lightly so that they can be easily erased later, after you draw in the shapes of the bubble letters around them. By placing the letters close together, you will have an overlapping effect when you draw out the bubble shapes. In this example, the letters are placed on an arc, rather than a straight line, to add motion and expression to the word.

Step2 Outlining Letters Draw the bubble-shapes by sketching a line parallel to the basic center-lines that make up the frames of the letters as pictured here. When you reach the end of the frame-letter lines, just continue to the other side by drawing a rounded arch. In areas of the letters enclosed by the framework, draw a rounded shape that follows the general shape of the inside of the frame. Your letters will take on the shape of a 3D, inflated shape. By allowing the letters to overlap, they will appear more dimensional.

Step3 Shading Letters Erase the lightly-drawn framework of the letters. Begin shading in the letters from the edges inward. Use smooth, light strokes to make a smooth blend, fading as it approaches the center. Shade around the holes on the inside of the the letters in the same manner. Leave an un-shaded strip of white in the center of the letters to depict the reflected highlight on the letter surfaces.

Step4 Completed Lettering Smooth the shading by gently smudging with a piece of folded paper or cardboard. Smudge with strokes that follow the contours of the letters. Use an eraser to pull out and define the highlights more sharply. Touch up the outlines of the letters to make them more even and sharp. You now have the technique for drawing fun and interesting bubble letters! Try experimenting with multi-color letters or more opaque or transparent colors. You are sure to enjoy the effects you produce.