How to Draw Drip Letters and Graffiti Drips
Quick answer: Add drips along the bottom edges of letters, where paint would gather. Make them different lengths, give each one a rounded bulb at the end, and keep them straight down. A small white highlight on one side makes them look wet.
Drips are one of the most popular graffiti effects because they make letters feel like they were just painted. They are easy to add, and easy to overdo.
Where drips go
Paint drips because of gravity, so drips belong on the lower edges of letters: the bottom of bowls, the feet of letters and the undersides of crossbars. Drips coming off the top of a letter look wrong instantly.
Drawing one drip
- Pick a point on a bottom edge.
- Draw two lines straight down, slightly narrower than the stroke above.
- Close the bottom with a round bulb that is a little wider than the stem.
- Fill with the same color as the letter.
- Add a thin highlight down one side and a dot of shine on the bulb.
Make them look natural
- Mix long and short drips. Real paint never drips evenly.
- Leave gaps. Three to five drips per word is often enough.
- Keep every drip perfectly vertical, even if your letters slant.
- Let a couple of drips merge for a heavy, wet look.
Drips in digital designs
For posters, album covers or merch, the graffiti generator has a drip style you can export as a transparent PNG. It pairs well with the tips in transparent background graffiti.