How to Draw a Bubble Letter M in 5 Easy Steps

Written by Daisie Team

Published on 11 July 2023 5 min read

Drawing a bubble M letter can be a fun and creative activity, especially if you're looking to spice up your handwriting or art projects. In this blog, we'll walk you through the simple steps to bring your bubble M letter to life. Let's get started!

1. Gather Your Materials

Before you dive into drawing your bubble M letter, it's important to gather all the necessary tools. The right set of materials can make the difference between a good drawing and a great one. Let's take a look at what you'll need.

Choosing the Right Paper

While any paper will technically work, it's best to opt for sketch or drawing paper. These types of paper are thicker and can handle the weight of heavy pencil strokes and coloring without tearing. If you're planning on using markers or pens, consider cardstock to prevent ink from bleeding through.

Picking the Perfect Pencil

To start your bubble M letter, a standard #2 pencil will do the trick. It has the right balance of hardness and softness to create clean, smooth lines. For shading and detail work later, you might want to have a set of drawing pencils on hand. These range from very hard (H) to very soft (B) and allow for a variety of effects.

Exploring Eraser Options

Everyone makes mistakes, and that's where your eraser comes in. A standard pink eraser will work for most errors, but for precision fixes, consider a pencil-style eraser. This type of eraser is thinner and allows you to erase small areas without disturbing the rest of your drawing. For larger areas, a kneaded eraser might be your best bet — it's soft, malleable, and doesn't leave behind any residue.

2. Start With a Simple M

Now that you have your tools at the ready, it's time to start on your bubble M letter. Don't worry if it doesn't look perfect right away — remember, practice makes perfect. Let's start with the basics.

Drawing the Basic Letter

To begin, draw a simple M on your paper. It doesn't have to be fancy or perfect, just recognizable as an M. Keep your lines light so you can erase them later. This M will serve as your guide for the bubble effect, so keep it simple and clean.

Considering Line Thickness

As you draw your M, consider the line thickness. Bubble letters have a thicker outer line, so don't be afraid to go a little heavier on the pencil. However, remember to keep the inner lines lighter — these will be erased later, and you don't want to leave behind any stubborn marks. It's all about finding the right balance.

See how easy that was? You're now one step closer to your beautiful bubble M letter!

3. Outline the Bubble Effect

Great job on getting that M on the page! Now, let's put some life into that bubble M letter, shall we? Outlining the bubble effect is a fun and creative step, so let's dive in.

Shaping the Outline

Start by lightly drawing a line around the M, giving it a bit of space. This will create the 'bubble' effect. Think of it like you're drawing a cloud around each line of the M. The trick is to keep the curves smooth and consistent. Don't worry if it's not exact — the beauty of bubble letters is in their fun, informal style.

Adding Volumes

Now that you have the shape, it's time to add some volume. This is what will make your bubble M letter look 3D. Imagine where the light is coming from and add a thicker line on the opposite side of each line of your M. This will give the illusion of depth and volume. Remember to keep your lines smooth and consistent. This might take a bit of practice, but once you nail it, your bubble letter will be popping right off the page!

Can you see your bubble M letter coming to life? We're halfway there!

4. Fill in the Letter

So, you've got your outlined bubble M letter looking pretty fantastic, right? Now comes the fun part — adding color. This is when your letter will truly start to pop!

Choosing Your Colors

When it comes to coloring your bubble M letter, the world is your oyster. You can stick with a classic black and white, or go wild with a rainbow of colors. Go ahead and pick your favorite color—maybe it's cool blue, fiery red, or sunshine yellow. You can even try a gradient effect with lighter shades at the top of your M and darker shades at the bottom. It's all about what makes your bubble M letter uniquely yours.

Blending Techniques

Now that you've picked your colors, let's talk about blending. This is what can make your bubble M letter look really professional. Start with your lightest color and gradually blend into the darker shade. Take your time with this step. A smooth blend can really make your bubble M letter look like it's glowing. Remember, practice makes perfect, and the more you color, the better your blending will become.

Look at you go! You're almost done with your bubble M letter masterpiece. Next, let's add some depth and shine.

5. Add Shading and Highlights

Now that you've filled in your bubble M letter, let's add some depth and dimension. This is where shading and highlights come into play. These are the finishing touches that will bring your bubble M letter to life, giving it a 3D effect.

Understanding Shading Basics

Shading is all about creating depth. To begin, imagine a light source shining on your bubble M letter. The parts of the letter that are closer to the light will be lighter, and the parts that are further away will be darker. So, pick a side of your letter to be the "shadow side". Use a darker shade of your chosen color to gently add some shadow to this side. The key is subtlety — you don't want to go too dark too fast. Slow and steady wins the race here!

Creating Highlights

Highlights are the areas where the light hits directly. For your bubble M letter, this will be the opposite side of where you added the shadows. Use a lighter shade of your color or even white to add these bright spots. Just a few well-placed highlights can make your bubble M letter look shiny and voluminous.

And voilà! You've created a stunning bubble M letter. With a bit of practice, you'll be able to draw bubble letters like a pro. So, what letter should we tackle next?

If you enjoyed learning how to draw a Bubble Letter M and want to expand your skills in bubble typography, don't miss out on the workshop titled 'The Basics of Holographic Bubble Typography' by Aryaman Munish. This workshop will teach you the fundamentals of creating eye-catching holographic bubble typography, perfect for adding a unique and creative touch to your designs.