How to Draw Open Suitcase — Free Practice Sheets

Drawing an open suitcase is a useful exercise in combining simple geometric shapes with clear structural details. The goal is not a pixel-perfect copy but a recognizable object with the right proportions and visible features: a rounded rectangular body, a horizontal seam dividing the two hinged halves, a centered top handle, and two vertical straps with buckles crossing the front. This page explains the method step by step and shows how to assess your drawing fairly, since more than one correct outcome is possible.

Start with the body and the hinge line

Begin by drawing a large rounded rectangle for the suitcase body. Keep the corners gently curved rather than sharp, because most suitcases have softened edges. The rectangle should be wider than it is tall, but the exact ratio can vary. Next, add a horizontal line across the middle of the rectangle. This line represents the seam where the two hinged halves meet. Place it roughly halfway up the body so the top and bottom halves look balanced. Check that the line stays parallel to the top and bottom edges; a slanted seam will make the suitcase look twisted.

1. Draw a large rounded rectangle for the suitcase body.
2. Add a horizontal line across the middle to separate the two hinged halves.

Add the handle and the front straps

Center a small rounded handle on the top edge of the body. The handle should sit above the top edge, not overlap the body, and its width should be roughly one-third of the suitcase width. Next, draw two vertical straps down the front face. Each strap should run from the top edge to the bottom edge, crossing the horizontal seam. Place the straps symmetrically, leaving a gap between them. Near the middle of each strap, draw a rectangular buckle. The buckle can be a simple rectangle with a smaller inner rectangle to suggest the frame. Keep the buckles at the same height on both straps so the suitcase looks balanced.

1. Add a small rounded handle centered on the top edge.
2. Draw two vertical straps down the front, each with a rectangular buckle near the middle.

Finish the corners and feet

Add rounded corner caps at the four corners of the body. These caps can be small curved shapes that follow the corner radius. They suggest protective reinforcements and help the suitcase read as a manufactured object rather than a plain box. Finally, add small feet along the bottom edge. Feet are usually short, rounded rectangles or small circles placed at the corners and sometimes in the middle. They should sit just below the bottom edge, not inside the body. Keep the feet the same size and evenly spaced. When you are satisfied with the outline, compare your drawing with the separate full reference sheet. Remember that other drawings can be correct; assess the visible features and proportions rather than pixel-perfect matching.

1. Add rounded corner caps at the four corners.
2. Add small feet along the bottom edge.

Check your work

• The body is a rounded rectangle with gently curved corners.
• A horizontal seam divides the body into two hinged halves at roughly the midpoint.
• A small rounded handle is centered on the top edge and sits above the body.
• Two vertical straps run down the front face and cross the horizontal seam.
• Each strap has a rectangular buckle near the middle, and the buckles are at the same height.
• Rounded corner caps appear at the four corners of the body.
• Small feet are placed along the bottom edge, evenly spaced and below the body.

Worked example

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

Common mistakes

• Drawing the horizontal seam slanted or too close to one edge. Use a light guide line parallel to the top and bottom edges, and place the seam at roughly the midpoint of the body height.
• Making the handle too wide or placing it off-center. Measure the top edge and mark its midpoint; draw the handle centered on that mark with a width about one-third of the body width.
• Putting the buckles at different heights or letting the straps cross the seam at an angle. Draw both straps vertically and mark the same height on each for the buckles; use a horizontal guide to keep them level.

Questions and answers