Our own drawing, from the Alphabet Atlas letter set.
Graffiti letter J (and j)
A graffiti letter J is a plain block J that has been slanted, thickened, outlined twice and given a hard shadow, and you can draw one by sketching the block letter, adding the outline, then the shadow on the lower right.
J and j in 6 colours
About the graffiti letter J
Graffiti J and j sit at position 10 of 26 in the alphabet. Writers think about each letter as a shape that has to fit its neighbours, so j is usually drawn compact, as a short stabilising shape.
The lowercase j is an open shape, so writers often extend one end into an arrow, a curl or a drip to give the letter attitude. The tail of j drops below the line and is a good place for a flick or a drip.
Most beginners start with the capital J because the larger shape is easier to outline. Its curves are easier to thicken evenly if you draw the centre line first and offset the outline from it.
How to draw it, step by step
- Sketch a plain block J with a pencil, starting on the top line at the right side. Curve straight down, ending just above the baseline at the left side.
- Lean the whole letter forward about ten degrees and make every stroke twice as thick.
- Draw a second outline around the first, a thumb-width away, and join the corners.
- Add a hard shadow: copy the outline a short step down and to the right, and join the corners with straight lines.
- Fill the letter with one bright colour, add a white highlight stripe near the top left, and ink the outline last.
The thin letter underneath
Every display letter starts as a plain letter. These are the strokes of the thin version:
- Start on the top line at the right side. Curve straight down, ending just above the baseline at the left side.
Tips for graffiti letters
- Choose one light direction and keep the shadow on the opposite side of every letter.
- Draw faster than you think you should; slow lines wobble, and graffiti wants confident lines.
- Practise on paper before a wall: legal walls and canvas are the places to try the real thing.
Words that start with J
More about this letter
See the same letter in other styles: cursive j, cursive capital J, print j. Or use the graffiti letters generator for a whole word.
Questions about the graffiti letter J
How do you draw a graffiti letter J?
A graffiti letter J is a plain block J that has been slanted, thickened, outlined twice and given a hard shadow, and you can draw one by sketching the block letter, adding the outline, then the shadow on the lower right.
Is the graffiti letter J free to use?
Yes. The j on this page was drawn for Alphabet Atlas, so you can print it and use it for school projects, posters, cards and notes. Please do not resell the artwork as a font.
How do I make a whole word in graffiti letters?
Open the graffiti letters generator, type your text, choose colours and download a PNG with a transparent background.