Drawing the Letter U in Bubble Style: A Guide

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 5 min read

Are you intrigued by the playful and vibrant world of bubble letters? The art of drawing bubble letters can be a fun and rewarding experience, especially if you're looking to add a unique flair to your artwork or DIY projects. Today, we're going to guide you through the process of drawing the letter 'U' in bubble style. By the end of this guide, you'll be able to create your own 'U' in bubble letters, adding an extra dose of creativity to your artistic arsenal. Let's get started!

1. Getting Started

Before we dive into the drawing process, we need to set the stage for success. This involves gathering the right materials, preparing your workspace, and getting a basic understanding of bubble letters.

Materials Needed

First things first—you need to gather your art supplies. Here's what you'll need:

A pencil: This will be your primary tool for sketching.
An eraser: For correcting any mistakes and refining your drawing.
Markers or colored pencils: To add a splash of color to your bubble letter.
Paper: Any type of drawing paper will do. Make sure it's smooth and clean.

Preparing Your Workspace

A cluttered workspace can hinder your creativity. Here's how to prepare your workspace for drawing 'U' in bubble letters:

Clear your desk or table. You need ample room to move your hand freely.
Arrange your art supplies within arm's reach. You don't want to interrupt your flow by having to search for your tools.
Ensure you have good lighting. This will help you see your lines and shading clearly.

Understanding Bubble Letters

Before we start drawing the 'U' in bubble letters, let's understand what bubble letters are. Bubble letters are a style of writing where the letters look inflated or "bubbly". They are commonly used in comic books, graffiti, and pop art. The key to drawing bubble letters is to make the lines curvy and rounded, giving the illusion of volume. Keep this in mind as we move on to the next steps.

2. Drawing the Base Letter

Now that we have our materials ready and a clear understanding of bubble letters, it's time to get to the fun part: drawing. In this section, we'll cover how to choose the right pencil and how to draw the base letter 'U'.

Choosing the Right Pencil

Choosing the correct pencil is important when starting to draw. For the initial sketch, it's best to use a pencil that leaves light, easily erasable marks. A standard HB or 2H pencil should do the trick. These pencils will allow you to make mistakes without leaving heavy marks on the paper, which can be difficult to erase.

Drawing the Letter U

Now, let's draw the base letter 'U'. Here are the steps:

Start by drawing a vertical line. This will be the left side of your 'U'.
Next, draw a curved line at the bottom to connect the left side to the right.
Finally, draw another vertical line up from the end of the curved line. This will complete the basic shape of your 'U'.

Remember, this is just the base. It doesn't have to be perfect, but make sure it resembles the letter 'U'. We'll be transforming this base into a 'U' in bubble letters in the next stage, so get ready!

3. Transforming Into a Bubble Letter

We've got our base 'U' drawn, but it's not a bubble letter just yet. Don't worry, with a few simple steps, we'll transform that basic 'U' into a fun and playful 'U' in bubble letters. Let's dive in!

Adding Volume

First, we need to give our 'U' some volume. Think of it like blowing air into a balloon. Here's how:

Draw a duplicate of your 'U', but make it slightly larger and wider. This will serve as the outer boundary of your bubble letter.
The space between the two 'U's should be even throughout. This will give your letter its plump, bubble-like appearance.

Smoothening the Edges

Next, we're going to smooth out the edges of our 'U'. Bubble letters are known for their soft, rounded edges, so we want to mimic that in our drawing:

Go over the edges of your 'U' and round them out. There should be no sharp corners or edges.
Pay special attention to the top and bottom of the 'U'. These areas should be as round and smooth as possible to achieve the bubble effect.

Look at that! You've just turned your basic 'U' into a 'U' in bubble letters. But we're not done yet. To really make your letter pop, we're going to add some shadows and highlights next.

4. Adding Shadows and Highlights

Now that we have that awesome 'U' in bubble letters, it's time to make it even more appealing. Let's add some shadows and highlights to give our bubble letter a 3D effect. This step requires a little more precision, so take your time and trust yourself—you've got this!

Using Shading Techniques

Shadows add depth to your bubble letter, making it look more three-dimensional. Here's how you can do it:

Decide where your light source is coming from. The opposite side will be where your shadow falls.
Using a lighter hand, shade the side of the 'U' that's opposite to the light source. The shadows should be darkest at the edge and gradually get lighter towards the center.

Creating Highlights

Highlights, on the other hand, will give your bubble letter a shiny, glossy feel. Follow these steps:

On the side of the 'U' where the light is hitting, leave a small area unshaded. This will be your highlight.
The highlight should be brightest at the center and gradually fade out towards the edges.

And voila! With those shadows and highlights, your 'U' in bubble letters now has a 3D effect. It's almost popping off the page, isn't it? But we're not quite done yet. There are a few final touches to add before we can call it complete.

5. Finalizing Your Letter

Alright, your 'U' in bubble letters is nearly ready to be shown off. It's time for the final touches. These last steps will clean up your letter and add some extra pop to it. Ready? Let's dive in!

Erasing Guidelines

First things first, let's get rid of the pencil guidelines we drew in the beginning. Make sure your ink is fully dried before you start erasing to avoid any smudges. Using a good quality eraser, gently rub off the pencil lines. Be careful not to erase any of your bubble letter lines. And just like that, you've got a clean 'U' in bubble letters.

Adding Color

Now for some fun—color! You can use colored pencils, markers, or even watercolors—whatever tickles your fancy. Here's how you can add some color to your bubble letter:

Choose your colors. It's best to stick to two or three colors to avoid overwhelming your bubble letter.
Start coloring, but remember to leave the highlight areas white. This will maintain the 3D effect we created earlier.

Showing Off Your Work

And there you have it! Your very own 'U' in bubble letters. It's time to show it off. Whether you pin it up on your wall, add it to a scrapbook, or share it on social media, be proud of your work. You've just created a piece of art!

Remember, practice makes perfect. The more you practice drawing your 'U' in bubble letters, the better you'll get at it. So what are you waiting for? Grab your pencil and paper and start drawing!

If you enjoyed learning about drawing the letter U in bubble style, then you'll love the workshop 'The Basics of Holographic Bubble Typography' by Aryaman Munish. This workshop will take your bubble lettering skills to the next level by introducing you to the mesmerizing world of holographic bubble typography. Don't miss out on this opportunity to elevate your lettering game!