Basic Vector Tools Create These Large, Chubby Letters

Let's get started! Open new image, 400x400 pixels (or larger). If you want to make very large letters to use for wall mural or something similar, first practice making them the size we're using here! Warning! If you want to make the entire alphabet, plan on doing this tutorial in 2 or more sessions. You can get very tired trying to make all 26 letters at one sitting! Optionally, you could follow the basic steps to start with...then continue with only those letters you need for a specific name/word.

Use either colored raster background or transparent vector. Your choice. Having a transparent background for your finished image is useful, however I find the checkerboard pattern distracting during creation, so I often start with a white raster background. When drawing is complete, I simply delete (or hide) the raster layer. The result is a vector drawing with a transparent background.

Generally, we'll only be using 3 tools with this tutorial, the Preset Shapes too, the Pen tool and the Pick tool.

Select shapes with the Pick tool or Pen tool.
The Pick tool can select a shape to move or deform. It cannot select nodes.
The Pen tool can select objects, nodes and draw new shapes. To select more than one node at a time, hold down Shift key while selecting nodes.

The Preset Shape tool can draw closed shapes. All letters will be based on the ellipse shape, which has 4 'symmetric' nodes. Some letters will need additional nodes added in order to shape the letter.

Node Types:
Symmetric nodes create smooth, flowing curves. Adjustments to a control arm will create the same amount of curve on each side of node.
Asymmetric nodes also create smooth curves, but adjustments to control arm will create a different amount of curve on each side of the node.

Outline: All 'bubble' letters will have a black outline. Because these letters are intended to be quite large, I have used a wide outline (3 pixel width). If you are making your letters smaller, you might want to also reduce the width of the outline.

Colors: Select any color you like for the fill color. Make every letter the same or make them all different. You could also use a pattern fill or gradient fill, but I recommend creating with a solid color first and then change fill type later by changing Vector Properties.