Ever cooked something and thought, “That looks really good!”?
Next time, take a quick photo and draw it later. Just wait until after you eat – you don’t want your food to get cold!
In this post, you’ll find 15 real-life drawing references for cooking pots and pans. These ideas are great for practicing form, shading, and adding a little action to your kitchen sketches.
15 Cooking Pot Drawing Ideas (with Real Meals + Drawing Tips)
Big pot of homemade (vegetable) soup
Draw the steam rising and chunky veggies floating inside. Focus on soft, organic shapes and a cozy mood.
Spaghetti boiling in salted water
Use bubbles and rising steam to show movement. Try adding the spoon sticking out.
Mac and cheese in a deep pan
Draw the creamy surface and melted cheese dripping over the edge. Great for practicing texture and highlights.
Hearty beef stew with potatoes and carrots
Focus on overlapping pieces and rough textures. Show the thickness of the broth and depth of the pot.
Chili simmering with beans and ground beef
Use strong contrast and steam. Try showing bubbling spots or a ladle scooping it up.
Ramen in a small pot with egg and scallions
Practice round shapes and detailed toppings. Add chopsticks resting across the top for extra depth.
Rice cooking in a saucepan
Draw the fluffy top layer or the lid halfway off. Focus on soft shading and even lighting.
Oatmeal with apple slices and cinnamon
Great for morning scenes. Add soft steam and warm highlights on the apples.
Tomato sauce slowly simmering
Capture the thick texture and deep red tones. Try showing splashes or sauce stuck to the lid.
Mashed potatoes being stirred with butter melting in
Draw the creamy texture and the wooden spoon mid-stir. Use soft curves and gentle shading.
Curry with coconut milk and vegetables
Practice smooth surfaces and rounded veggie shapes. Use light shading for the creamy texture.
Chicken noodle soup in a tall pot
Show long noodles, herbs, and bits of chicken. Add movement to the soup with slight ripples.
Stovetop chili mac with cheese melting on top
Focus on the mix of pasta, meat, and cheese. Use layered shading to show depth and thickness.
Boiled corn on the cob with steam rising
Great for practicing repetition and clean shapes. Add droplets of water on the corn.
Lentil soup with a bay leaf floating on top
Use a top-down view to show round shape, herbs, and soft textures. Add a spoon resting on the edge.
What’s the best way to start drawing a pot?
Begin with the main shape – usually a wide oval or circle for the top, and curved sides. Add handles and the lid after.
How can I make it look more real?
Use light and shadow to show roundness. Add reflections or a little steam to give it life.
Can I draw food inside the pot?
Yes! Try adding soup, noodles, or veggies. It helps you practice textures and detail.
Ready to add some heat to your sketches?
Try these 15 pot and pan drawing ideas and bring your kitchen scenes to life!
👉 Follow me on Pinterest for more daily drawing inspiration
👉 Visit the full Kitchen Drawing Series to explore more object references
👉 Share your cooking pot sketches in the comments – I’d love to see what you’re working on!
[…] pot with steamAdd soft, curving steam lines – work on contrast and movement.→ 15 Cooking Pot Drawing Ideas (added September […]