The Anatomy of Letters: An A–Z Guide for Lettering Artists. Master the anatomy of letters with my A–Z guide of terminology to grow your lettering skills and typography knowledge.
The Anatomy of Letters: An A–Z Guide for Lettering Artists
If you want stronger, more confident lettering, it starts with understanding how each letter is built.
This A–Z anatomy of letters series breaks down the structure and terminology behind every character, from apexes and stems to bowls and counters.
Whether you’re working in Procreate, brush lettering, or traditional styles, this guide will help you see letters more clearly, draw them more accurately, and design them with purpose.
Who This Series is For
This series is for beginners who want to geek out learning foundational hand-lettering and typography terminology, one letter at a time.
THE ANATOMY OF LETTERS A-Z
This is a new series with a start date of Monday, February 9, 2026.
New videos will be posted 2-3 times a week until the entire alphabet is complete.
Click the letter to go to the blog post. Each letter will become clickable as the tutorials are published.
A – B – C – D – E – F – G – H – J – K – L – M – N – O – P – Q – R – S – T – U – V – W – X – Y – Z
Want to learn how to draw every letter of the alphabet in three styles (Sans Serif, Serif, and Script)?
There will be free practice worksheets you can download for each letter to follow along!
This new series began on Monday, February 9, 2026.
FOLLOW ME ON YOUTUBE
This year is all about sharing TONS of free Procreate video tutorials!
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel!
FAQs: The Anatomy of Letters
What is letter anatomy?
Letter anatomy refers to the structural parts that make up each letterform. Just like the human body has arms and legs, letters have stems, bowls, counters, serifs, terminals, ascenders, descenders, and more. Understanding these parts helps you draw letters intentionally instead of guessing your way through them.
Why is learning letter anatomy important for lettering artists?
When you understand how letters are built, your work instantly improves. Spacing becomes more consistent, proportions feel balanced, and your custom lettering looks polished instead of accidental. Knowing the terminology also makes it easier to follow tutorials, study typography, and communicate design feedback clearly.
Is this guide for beginners or advanced artists?
Both! If you’re new to lettering, this A–Z guide will give you a strong foundation. If you’ve been lettering for a while, it will sharpen your eye and help you refine details you may not have consciously noticed before.
What’s the difference between lettering and typography?
Lettering is the art of drawing custom letterforms for a specific piece or design. Typography is the art and technique of arranging pre-designed typefaces. Studying letter anatomy strengthens both skills because the same structural principles apply.
Do I need to know technical terms to be a good lettering artist?
You don’t need to memorize every term to create beautiful work, but learning the vocabulary gives you confidence and control. It helps you understand why something looks off and how to fix it.
How should I use this A–Z letter anatomy guide?
You can:
- Read it straight through like a mini course
- Reference individual letters as you practice
- Use it alongside Procreate or sketchbook drills
- Revisit it anytime a letter feels “off.”
Think of it as your lettering glossary + visual toolkit all in one place.
Does letter anatomy apply to all lettering styles?
Yes! Whether you love serif styles, playful sans serifs, script lettering, or bold decorative alphabets, the underlying anatomy still matters. It may change depending on how the letter is drawn. Even when you bend the rules, you’re bending them on purpose.
Will understanding letter anatomy improve my Procreate lettering?
Absolutely. When you understand structure, your digital lettering becomes cleaner, more intentional, and easier to refine. You’ll spend less time tweaking and more time creating.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Want a free Procreate Brush Set and monthly freebies? Sign up for my newsletter!
- Ready to level up to more fun lettering styles? Check out my 12 Playful Lettering Styles series.
Happy Lettering!
