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The art of illustrating food: behind the scenes with food illustrator Anna Lena Feunekes | Hiring a food illustrator


Anna Lena Feunekes, a food illustrator for hire

Hey there!

Hey foodies! I’m Anna Lena Feunekes, and I’m so excited to chat about why food illustration is my absolute passion. Food has always been at the heart of my life—I grew up cooking with my mom and sister, surrounded by two grandmas who owned bakeries! Some of my sweetest memories are of us kids taking over the kitchen at Christmas, turning it into our own little restaurant filled with joy and laughter. To me, food is more than just a meal; it’s warmth, creativity, and connection. Capturing that feeling in my art is like preserving a bit of that love forever.


Picking the perfect food to draw

Deciding which foods to illustrate can be tricky because I love so many! I go for dishes with that “cozy” vibe, ones that instantly make you feel at home. But inspiration is everywhere! I follow amazing food creators, scroll through cookbooks, and sometimes just let my nose lead the way. Whether it’s the comforting smell of fresh bread or the bright colors of a seasonal veggie, there’s always something delicious begging to be illustrated.



Step-by-step food illustration process by Anna Lena Feunekes, featuring sketches, collage, and digital touch-ups for a mouthwatering, professionally illustrated recipe.
illustration by Anna Lena Feunekes




The steps to making food art magic

So, how does an illustration come to life? Let me take you through each step from rough sketch to finished piece.


sketching the concept

Every illustration starts with a quick pencil sketch. For my recent pumpkin galette illustration, I wanted to capture that rustic, “just-baked” charm. I sketched out the flaky crust, the cozy orange pumpkin filling, and a few little garnishes for that extra oomph. This part is all about getting the shapes and layout right, so nothing’s too polished yet—it’s just a fun, messy plan!


Collage food illustration of a golden pumpkin galette by Anna Lena Feunekes, showing vibrant, rich colors and warm textures perfect for cookbook or magazine illustrations.
illustration by Anna Lena Feunekes

Collage and color

Now for the best part: color! I use Holbein Acryla Gouache because the colors are super vibrant and give a lovely matte finish. For the pumpkin filling, I mix different shades of orange and yellow until it looks warm and inviting. Then I move to the crust, blending browns and ochres to get that perfect golden-baked look. I love using different paper textures in my collages to make each element pop—it’s like making a dish that looks so good, you almost want to eat it!


A little digital magic

Once the painting is done, it’s time to go digital! I scan the illustration into Photoshop for some final touch-ups. Here, I tweak the colors, enhance highlights, and fix any little imperfections. I might even add a subtle background texture to make everything pop just a little more. This digital step is the cherry on top, making sure it looks perfect for both print and screen.


Detailed gouache painting of a cozy pumpkin galette illustration by food illustrator Anna Lena Feunekes, capturing rustic charm and inviting warmth ideal for recipe books and food branding.

Sharing the final piece (and a little patreon love!)

The last step is my favorite—sharing the finished piece! This pumpkin galette illustration turned out warm, cozy, and mouthwatering. I love hearing the feedback from my Patreon supporters; it’s always such a thrill! If you enjoyed this behind-the-scenes peek, come join me on Patreon for even more process shots, timelapse videos, and exclusive projects. And if you’re in need of a food illustrator for a cookbook or magazine, I’d love to help bring those recipes to life with vibrant, detailed artwork.

Thanks for stopping by, and stay creative and inspired!



 

Hiring a food illustrator

Looking for a talented food illustrator to bring your recipes, cookbooks, or food products to life? Anna Lena Feunekes is an experienced food illustrator specializing in vibrant, mouthwatering food art and recipe illustrations. Using a unique collage technique combined with rich colors and textures, Anna Lena’s illustrations capture the essence of each dish, from rustic bakes to gourmet creations. With a passion for food and a background in culinary storytelling, she works with authors, publishers, and brands to create inviting and detailed visuals for books, magazines, and packaging. For custom food illustrations or collaborative projects, contact Anna Lena to discuss your ideas and make your recipes unforgettable.

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