30 Realistic Food Art Pieces by Steven Tang That Will Trick Your Eyes
At first glance, you might think you’re seeing a photo of a hot bowl of noodles or a perfectly grilled sandwich. But take a closer look—it’s actually a hyper-realistic food drawing. Steven Tang, a talented young artist from Hong Kong, has mastered the art of turning everyday meals into lifelike masterpieces.
Using only pencils, pastels, or oil paints, Steven adds every tiny detail—from the shine of sauce to the texture of toast—with stunning accuracy. His artwork doesn’t just show how food looks—it captures the craving, making you feel like you can almost taste it.
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We spoke with Steven Tang to learn more about his artistic journey and how he turns simple meals into extraordinary hyper-realistic food art. Steven shared that his love for drawing began in childhood—starting with portraits, animals, and eventually, food.
“In 2018, I created a colored pencil drawing of Tam Jai noodles—a favorite comfort food in Hong Kong. It unexpectedly went viral online, leading to media coverage and interviews,” Steven explained. That one piece sparked growing interest in realistic food illustrations. By 2022, he was invited to join a food-themed art exhibition, which deepened his passion for capturing the beauty of food through detailed, lifelike drawings.
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Steven Tang gave us a behind-the-scenes look at his creative process for making ultra-realistic food art. It all begins with creating his own custom reference images. “I start by sketching out the composition,” he explains, “then I either take photos of real dishes at restaurants or arrange fresh ingredients in my studio.”
He then carefully studies each detail—the texture, color, and lighting—using both direct observation and high-quality photos. His goal is to reproduce every element as realistically as possible. “Each artwork can take anywhere from a few days to several months,” Steven says, “depending on the size, complexity, and even my mood during the process.”
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Steven Tang shares that he’s most inspired by foods he personally loves, especially nostalgic dishes from his childhood in Hong Kong. “Whether it’s a pineapple bun or an egg tart, my goal is to capture both the cultural meaning and the emotional connection behind these beloved local treats,” he says.
Through his realistic food illustrations, Steven hopes viewers can almost taste the memories and feel the warm comfort these traditional dishes bring. It’s not just art—it’s a visual tribute to food culture and heritage.
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Creating these realistic food drawings is no easy “feast.” According to Steven Tang, one of the biggest challenges is working with visually subtle foods—like dishes that are all one color or have very little texture. “To make these pieces more interesting, I experiment with new compositions, angles, and layouts,” he explains.
Steven often boosts contrast to add depth and uses different pencil techniques to mimic a variety of textures—like shiny sauces or crispy crusts. These creative strategies allow him to turn even the simplest meal into a visually rich and mouthwatering work of art.
