Artistic Bakes: Recipes and Watercolors from Around the World

For my final project in Color Theory, we were given the freedom to create anything we wanted—as long as it demonstrated our understanding of color. I knew I wanted to do something that felt true to me. I love illustrating, I love baking, and I love learning about different cultures. So, I combined all three.

I created three illustrated recipe sheets featuring desserts from around the world, each tied to a specific color scheme we studied in class. Here’s a breakdown of what I made and the color concepts behind each one:

Korean Dalgi Dalgi Cake

Color Scheme: Monochromatic (Red) This fluffy strawberry cake is soft, sweet, and simple—so I chose a monochromatic red palette to reflect that warmth and sweetness. I played with tints and shades of red to give depth and texture while keeping the vibe cohesive and soft.

French Macarons

Color Scheme: Triadic (Primary Colors) Macarons are already playful and colorful, so this one was a natural fit for a triadic scheme using red, yellow, and blue. I wanted this piece to feel bold and energetic, with a sense of balance and fun between the bright tones.

South African Trifle

Color Concept: Transparency & Layering This trifle is traditionally served in a glass dish, which gave me the perfect opportunity to explore transparency and color interaction. Each layer has its own texture and color, and I used overlapping tones to create a sense of light passing through the dessert.

I called this project Artistic Bakes — a sweet blend of culture, flavor, and color theory. Inspired by the idea of 'baking' spaces full of warmth and personality, each illustration became its own little recipe for beauty. It was such a fun and fulfilling way to mix my passions, and I loved how every piece told its own visual story.