The 3D floating letter trick is an optical illusion where a flat letter appears to float above or sink into the page. The S shape is perfect for this technique because its curves create a dramatic anamorphic illusion when done correctly.

🖍️ What You Need

  • Pencil and eraser
  • Ruler
  • Black pen
  • Grey shading pencil or marker
  • White paper

How to Draw a 3D Floating Letter S

  1. Draw the letter S — write a large, bold letter S in the centre of your page.
  2. Create the shadow grid — draw a series of horizontal parallel lines across your paper (about 1cm apart).
  3. Stretch the lines around the letter — where each horizontal line meets the letter S, bend it downward as if wrapping around a cylinder.
  4. Complete the grid — continue the lines on the other side of the letter, ensuring each line bends consistently.
  5. Erase the original letter outline — now the S shape is defined only by the pattern in the grid lines.
  6. Add shading — shade the inside of the curved S shape darker than the surrounding area.
  7. Add shadow — draw a cast shadow extending from one side of the letter to reinforce the 3D effect.
💡 Parikshet's Tip: The trick works because our brain interprets the bent grid lines as lines wrapping around a raised surface. The more consistent your line spacing, the more convincing the illusion.