How to Draw Paper Bag — Free Practice Sheets

A paper bag is a useful drawing subject because its shape is simple but its depth is visible. The front face, side panel, base, and handles each show a different part of the same object. This guide explains how to build the bag from large shapes to small details, then how to check your drawing against the reference. The practice sheets let you trace, copy onto a grid, place the silhouette with a center guide, or complete a partly drawn version.

Build the bag from its largest planes

Start with the front face rather than the handles. A paper bag usually has a broad rectangular front that narrows slightly toward the top, because the folded sides pull inward. Keep that taper gentle; a strong taper makes the bag look like a cone.

Next, attach a narrower side panel to one edge. This panel is a quadrilateral, not a rectangle, because its top and bottom edges follow the perspective of the bag. Its width should be clearly smaller than the front face so the bag reads as a folded object rather than a flat card.

The base is a short angled line or narrow shape connecting the bottom corners. It shows that the bag stands on a surface. Keep it shallow unless the reference clearly shows more of the underside.

1. Draw the front rectangular face with a slight taper toward the top.
2. Add the side panel as a narrower quadrilateral attached to the right edge to show depth.
3. Draw the flat base as a short angled line connecting the bottom corners.
4. Add the crumpled top edge and two loop handles attached at the top.

Add the crumpled opening and handles

The top opening is where a paper bag looks soft rather than rigid. Draw an uneven edge across the top, with small changes in height. Avoid making it perfectly straight, but keep the variation modest so the bag still looks folded.

The two loop handles attach near the top edge. Each loop should have a similar size and curve, and both should sit on the same general level. If one handle is much larger, the bag may look tilted or unbalanced.

Check that the handles connect to the bag rather than floating above it. A short attachment point at each end of a loop makes the connection clear.

1. Sketch the uneven top edge before drawing the handles.
2. Place two loops with similar width and height.
3. Mark where each loop meets the bag.
4. Compare the handle spacing with the front face width.

Use the practice sheet that matches your goal

Tracing helps you learn the outline and the order of the main shapes. Copying onto a grid helps you judge proportions by matching intersections. The bounding frame and center guide help you place the whole silhouette before adding details. The partial drawing asks you to complete the missing portion using the full reference.

Each sheet has a separate full reference, so you can compare your result without copying directly over the answer. The goal is not a pixel-perfect match. A correct drawing keeps the rectangular folded body, visible side panel, crumpled top opening, two loop handles, and flat base with slight perspective.

1. Choose one sheet and read its prompt.
2. Draw the large shapes first.
3. Add the top edge and handles.
4. Compare your drawing with the separate full reference.
5. Note one proportion to adjust on your next attempt.

Check proportions before adding detail

Compare the height of the front face with its width. Then compare the side panel width with the front face width. These two relationships control most of the bag's look.

Look at the base line and the top edge together. The base should feel parallel to the surface the bag stands on, while the top edge can be slightly uneven.

Finally, check the handles against the top opening. Their loops should not extend far beyond the bag's width unless the reference shows that.

1. Measure the front face height and width by eye.
2. Compare the side panel width with the front face.
3. Check the base angle against the top edge.
4. Check handle size and spacing.

Check your work

• The front face is rectangular with a slight taper toward the top.
• A narrower side panel is attached to one edge to show depth.
• The base is drawn as a short angled line connecting the bottom corners.
• The top opening is uneven but still reads as a folded edge.
• Two loop handles are similar in size and clearly attached to the bag.
• The overall proportions match the reference closely enough to identify the same bag.

Worked example

paper bag: Trace the reference outline, then practise the contour independently. Compare with the separate full reference sheet.

Common mistakes

• Drawing the front face as a perfect rectangle with no taper. Narrow the top edge slightly so the folded sides pull inward.
• Making the side panel as wide as the front face. Reduce the side panel width so it reads as depth, not a second front.
• Drawing the handles as different sizes or letting them float. Match the loop sizes and mark clear attachment points on the top edge.

Questions and answers