I think it would read better as a J if you put a cross-bar on top. Whenever I have to do a monogram I just use Bickham script, type the letters and a few ornaments, expand them and try and join them together somehow. Some letters are easier than others - J is one of the hard ones!

The new one is much better.

I don’t understand much about where thicks and thins should go (or anything really). This is cleary not my domain, at least yet. I’d love to learn more though.

Craig: Any suggestions on how I might solve that?

Instead of using the first stroke for the D, I’m trying a version where the first stroke belongs to the J. I added a “crossbar” (top bar?) as well.

@Riccardo: Modify it how?

Riccardo, I tried that, but it completely throws off the balance.

Yes, I supposed that. But maybe going for a more upright style?
As for your last version, I think it could work with a crossbar.

I don't think you suck at this, your forms look good to me. I did this sketch to show how you might want to heavy up your shades (thick parts of the letters). Heavier shades will define the letters more and differentiate from swashes.

I know you're trying to combine the two letters so it's all one continual stroke, but that may be what is preventing the J from really standing out. If you want the design to be all one stroke, make sure that the transition from one character to the next is thin... any thickness will be confusing.

Also, I've made the J stem and the D share the same double stroke... why not let them really echo each other? Like they're dancing... let them hold each other close. Just my two cents for what it's worth. I know you'll end up with a great design.

the forth option is nearly there. For me the only problem is the inner stroke of the D, it looks like an s JSD…

An old thread, mr. AwesomeRobot.