How to Draw 3D Block Letters

Co-authored by Swetha Shenoy

Last Updated: September 3, 2024

3D block letters are great for headings, posters, and birthday cards. They’re not too tricky to learn how to draw yourself. Draw block letters by making rectangular outlines around regular letters. Make them 3D by adding perspective with diagonal lines, and then add shadows to make your letters really pop.

Sample Alphabets

Sample 3D Block Alphabet

Sample Serif 3D Block Alphabet

Sample Shaded 3D Block Alphabet

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Drawing Block Letters

Download Article

1
Write large capital letters in the middle of your page with a pencil. It’s also possible to do lower case letters in 3D, but it’s much easier in upper case, because more of the letters have straight lines. Write the letters in pencil because they will act as guidelines. You will erase them later!
- It may be easier to practice on graph paper. Following the lines printed on the graph paper can help you create nice, even lines for your letters.
- Be sure to leave more space than you usually would between the letters so that you will have room to outline them.
2
Sketch block outlines around your letters in pencil. If you’re drawing on graph paper, just trace the graph paper in rectangular blocks around your letters. Make sure the letters are all about the same width. If you’re drawing free-hand, it may help to lightly sketch guidelines above and below your letters so that they all end up the same size.
- For letters with curves, like “C,” try to draw a smooth curve and make the letter the same width as the straight-edged letters.
- Don’t forget to outline the inside of holes in letters like “R” and “A.”
Advertisement
3
Go over your block outlines in pen or marker to finalize them. Don’t trace over the letters that you originally wrote, just trace over your block outlines. Try to make smooth, clean lines instead of light, feathery lines. Smooth, straight lines will look much neater! If it helps, try using a straight edge ruler.
- Wait for the ink to dry before erasing your pencil marks so that you don’t smudge the ink.
4
Erase all of the pencil markings. Use a large, soft eraser to erase all of the stray pencil marks and sketched lines. Now all that you will have on your paper are the final block outlines of the letters.
- Clear away the eraser shavings so that they don’t get in the way.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Adding 3D Perspective

Download Article

1
Choose a vantage point for your letters to make them 3D. Decide whether you want to view your block letters from above or below, and whether you want them to face to the right or the left. If you were looking at them straight on from the front, they’d just look like ordinary block letters, so you have to tilt them to make it 3D.^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Your vantage point will determine the direction you draw your diagonal lines in the next step.
2
Draw small diagonal lines from the corners of your letters in pencil. Be sure to draw all of the lines so that they tilt in the same direction. If it helps, choose a vanishing point in the background. Then, use a straight edge to line up each line with that vanishing point before you draw it. If you’re viewing your letters from above, the lines should tilt up. If you’re viewing from below, they should tilt down. Draw the lines to the right if you want your letter facing left and to the right if you want them facing right.^{[2]
X
Research source}
- Practice drawing these lines in different directions until you figure out what you like.
- Most people draw their block letters viewed from above.
3
Connect the ends of the diagonal lines together. Use horizontal, vertical, and curved lines to connect the ends of the diagonal lines. This will be drawing the back side of the letters.^{[3]
X
Research source}
- Think of it like drawing a cube, where you first draw a square, then small diagonal lines, and then connect the lines in another square. It’s just like that, except the shapes are letters instead of squares.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Filling in the Shadows

Download Article

1
Imagine that your vantage point is a light source. This will help you visualize the way the light and shadow will fall over your letters, so that you can shade them consistently. Making your light source be in the same place as your vantage point simplifies things, but you can choose another place for your imaginary light source if you prefer.^{[4]
X
Research source}
- It may help to lightly draw a little shining sun in one of the top corners of the page to help you remember. You can erase it later.
- Most light sources are from above, like the sun, the moon, and overhead lighting, so that will look the most normal. But, you can have the light source be on the bottom if you want the letters to look like they’re behind stage lights.
2
Darken the surfaces away from the light source. Use a dark pencil, pen, or marker, to shade in the surfaces of the letter that face away from the light source, which would be in shade. Leave the surfaces that are facing the light source a lighter color.^{[5]
X
Research source}
- If your light source is in the upper left corner of your page, all the right hand surfaces of your letters will be dark.
3
Add cast shadows to the letters, if you’d like. Again, look at where the light source is, and draw the shape of the letter falling away from the light source, onto the imaginary floor. It can be a bit tricky to get the shape of the cast shadow to look realistic, so this step is optional.^{[6]
X
Research source}
- If you’re adding cast shadow, make sure to also add in cast shadows in holes in the letters. For example, in the letter “R,” one part of the top bit of the letter would cast a shadow on the other bit.

Expert Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

How can I improve my drawing of 3D block letters?

Swetha Shenoy
Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist
Swetha Shenoy is a Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist based in New Jersey. She is the founder of The Paisley Corner, a creative hub that provides art workshops & team-building activities for individuals and corporate teams alike. Swetha created The Paisley Corner to spread the joy of creating through her art workshops. She teaches multiple lettering techniques, including hand lettering, brush lettering, and watercolor lettering. Since founding The Paisley Corner 5 years ago, she has taught 2500+ students (adults and kids) at over 200 workshops. Notable corporate clients include Adobe, Shapeways, Rituals, Confetti, MixLife & the New York tri-state area public libraries. Prior to her career as an artist and small business owner, Swetha worked as a Software Engineer at multiple companies. She received a BS in Computer Science from Visvesvaraya Technological University and a MS in Computer Science from University of Illinois, Chicago.

Swetha Shenoy

Modern Calligraphy & Watercolor Artist

Expert Answer

Start by finding inspiration from examples online or in books that showcase various styles of 3D block letters. Then begin practicing by drawing simple block letters and focus on clean lines and consistent proportions. Next, add depth to your letters by incorporating shadows and angles to create a 3D effect. Using guides such as worksheets or graph paper can also help you maintain consistency and proper alignment. Don't forget to dedicate time and practice to hone both your style and your drawing precision.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 0 Helpful 0
Question

How do I draw cursive blocks?

Community Answer

Write the words with spacing in good cursive handwriting. Outline with 5 mm spacing on both sides and erase the writing inside. You can fill color to make an awesome piece of art.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 43 Helpful 53
Question

How do I draw a 3D Roman letter?

Axis History

Community Answer

It's the same concept, just find the edges and make lines to a single point on the paper.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 32 Helpful 25

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Tips

Start drawing your letters with a pencil and only trace over them with a pen when you feel confident.

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
If your letters will be shown on a computer display, the light source should be on the upper left. This is the convention that most computer fonts try to observe.

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 1