Recently, I’ve been diving into colored pencil techniques — and it’s been surprisingly dynamic.

All of these (except the coffee cup ☕) were created using tutorials from a book called "Real Color Pencils" by Makami Shie. The book is clear, inspiring, and makes learning feel exciting rather than rigid. Every page feels like progress you can actually see.

 

Pistachio fat cookies in color pencils, by Yulia Lisitsa

With color pencils I like to challenge myself with new texture. This amazing cookie from a local home bakery @angelebakes. I love these cookies! It was easy to eat them, but a bit difficult to draw, but I figured things out 🧐

 

Curd pancakes with fruits in color pencils, by Yulia Lisitsa

Last September we went to Lithuania. There, for the first time in many years, we ordered curd pancakes. I made a photo and decided at once that I wanted to draw them with color pencils. Here's what came out of it. This is the second take. Read on to find out what the first one looked like and how I came to this final result.

 

Amsterdam in winter sketch

During the New Year holidays I almost didn’t draw, only 2 city sketches based on the lessons of Anna Egida at Kalacheva school.

 

Amsterdam canal houses

When I was in cafe in the heart of Amsterdam I saw through the window beautiful houses. I made a photo, thinking that later I can make a drawing from it.