Tomatoes used to be called "love apples" in Europe—people thought they were an aphrodisiac. The inside of a sliced tomato often forms a perfect little star—try photographing that under soft morning light. A Picture of Tomato can pop with color when shot against a contrasting blue or green background.

Tomatoes come in more than 10,000 varieties worldwide—perfect for painting a rainbow-style lineup. Cherry tomatoes make fun props in macro photography due to their shiny, juicy skins. In Renaissance paintings, you’ll rarely see tomatoes—they weren’t common in Europe until the 1500s.

Add water droplets to a tomato before shooting—it creates a “fresh from the farm” vibe. A cross-section of a tomato resembles a mandala—great for abstract illustrations. Sun-dried tomatoes have wrinkly textures that look cool in close-up food art.

Tomatoes ripen faster when placed near bananas—photograph the time-lapse for a fun science-art project. Tomatoes were once feared as poisonous because they’re part of the nightshade family. Painting a tomato’s reflection in a metal spoon adds drama and a twist of realism.

Use natural window light to paint or photograph tomatoes—it makes the reds more vibrant. Tomatoes with stems still attached give your photo a rustic, farmer’s market feel. A Picture of Tomato sliced in half and arranged like flower petals makes a striking food design.

Green tomatoes aren’t unripe mistakes—they’re perfect for pickling or painting a color contrast. Tomatoes were first cultivated by the Aztecs—try adding historical context to your artwork. Heirloom tomatoes come in odd shapes and colors—ideal for quirky character studies.

Try photographing a tomato plant instead of just the fruit—the leaves and stems add texture. Tomatoes bruise easily, which makes them great subjects for showing age and softness in drawing. A Picture of Tomato growing on the vine captures a natural, life-in-motion moment.

Slice a tomato under backlight—it glows like a stained glass window. Tomato seeds are suspended in a jelly-like fluid—interesting for biology-inspired art. Rotten tomatoes make eerie, moody still lifes—perfect for gothic-themed illustrations.

Add a face to a tomato for a fun cartoon sketch—it's a favorite exercise in character design. Use tomatoes in black-and-white photography to play with light and texture. Tomatoes stored on the counter (not in the fridge!) retain better color and shape for photos.

A tomato can look totally different in morning light vs. sunset light—try both. Paint a tomato from memory, then compare it to the real thing—it sharpens your observation skills. Mix tomato red with hints of orange or purple for richer, more realistic paint tones.

Try sketching a tomato’s shadow at different times of day—it adds depth to your art. A Picture of Tomato with a bite taken out shows texture and juiciness up close. Tomatoes in black bowls or wooden crates add a rustic, magazine-style feel to any image.

Some tomatoes are fuzzy—zoom in and capture that subtle hair texture in illustration. Draw a tomato using only one color—great for practicing tone and shading. Tomatoes float in water—try an underwater photo for surreal effects.

Stack tomatoes into a pyramid for a playful composition experiment. Tiny tomato sprouts can be drawn as hopeful symbols of growth and renewal. Juicing a tomato mid-shot creates dramatic splashes—great for action photos.

Use tomatoes with bite marks for storytelling—who took the bite? Why? A sliced tomato with basil leaves makes a simple, striking Italian-inspired image. A tomato caught mid-air in a toss adds fun movement to food art.

Add steam rising from roasted tomatoes to give your art a warm, cozy atmosphere. Old cookbooks often have hand-drawn tomato diagrams—browse them for style inspiration. A Picture of Tomato next to garlic, onions, and olive oil evokes Mediterranean flavors instantly.

Paint tomato skin shine by using curved highlights—it helps make them look 3D. Tomato sauce in motion—dripping, splashing—makes for expressive food visuals. Create a collage using tomato labels from around the world for a global flavor twist.

Cartoon tomatoes are often used in kids' books to teach healthy eating. Slicing different tomato varieties side-by-side shows color and seed pattern diversity. Paint a tomato with a worm inside for a slightly gross but memorable illustration.

A tomato’s top view (with the stem) looks like a little starburst—great for bold compositions. Place tomatoes on dark slate or black plates to make the red really stand out. Time-lapse painting of a tomato rotting tells a powerful story about time and decay.

Sunlight through tomato leaves casts beautiful patterns—try capturing that with watercolor. Draw a tomato falling into soup to create splash effects and drama. Some tomatoes look like hearts—use that shape in romantic or love-themed illustrations.

If you're illustrating tomatoes for a children's book, exaggerate the expressions—they’re great characters. Photographing tomatoes at different stages—from seed to fruit—makes a perfect educational series. A Picture of Tomato hanging low on the vine captures the quiet beauty of garden life.