The skeleton
Two diagonals meeting at the bottom. The point must be at least as wide as the stroke — a true point in a heavy style reads as a defect. The two outer edges should be straight lines, not bulges.
What happens when you inflate it
Inflation rounds the point first, and once it is round the letter can read as a U. Keep the interior wedge open and let the point stay blunt and wide. The lower counter is the first thing to close, so watch it constantly.
What usually goes wrong: Bulging the outer edges. A V with curved sides looks like a bucket. Keep the outsides straight and put all the character into how blunt the point is.
Letters V sits next to
V is the cleanest partner for A, M, N and W. It also makes a good final letter, because a word that ends on a V looks like it has come to a stop.
One thing to try
In bubble styles, cut the point flat rather than rounding it. The flat base gives the letter something to stand on, and it stops heavy V shapes from reading as U shapes.
How to draw the letter V in four steps
- Sketch the skeleton. Two diagonals meeting at the bottom. The point must be at least as wide as the stroke — a true point in a heavy style reads as a defect. The two outer edges should be straight lines, not bulges.
- Inflate the strokes. Inflation rounds the point first, and once it is round the letter can read as a U. Keep the interior wedge open and let the point stay blunt and wide. The lower counter is the first thing to close, so watch it constantly.
- Check the neighbors. V is the cleanest partner for A, M, N and W. It also makes a good final letter, because a word that ends on a V looks like it has come to a stop.
- Add your own twist. In bubble styles, cut the point flat rather than rounding it. The flat base gives the letter something to stand on, and it stops heavy V shapes from reading as U shapes.
Questions about the letter V
Why does my graffiti V look like a U?
The point is too round or too narrow. Under heavy inflation a sharp V becomes a U; making the point wide and flat before you add weight keeps it identifiable.
Should a graffiti V have straight sides?
In block, stencil and handstyle styles yes. Bubble styles can afford a slight outward curve, but the sides should still read as straight lines at a squint.