Learn Hardcore Turkish: Ben pastel boya ile resim yapıyorum.

It means with, indicating the instrument you use. So pastel boya ile = with pastel crayons. It can also mean together with (comitative), as in annem ile = with my mother.

Why do I sometimes see ile attached to the noun (like -la/-le)?

In speech and writing, ile often becomes a suffix:

After a consonant: -la/-le (vowel harmony). Example: kalemle = with a pen.
After a vowel: -yla/-yle, with a buffer y. Example: boya + yla → boyayla = with paint/pastels. So your sentence can be: Ben pastel boya ile resim yapıyorum. or Ben pastel boyayla resim yapıyorum. Both are correct.

Do I have to say Ben?

No. The verb ending already shows the subject. Pastel boyayla resim yapıyorum. is complete. Using Ben adds emphasis or contrast (I, as opposed to someone else).

Why is there no word for “a/an” before resim?

Turkish has no articles like “a/an/the.” The optional word bir can mean “a/one,” but with activity nouns it’s often omitted. Resim yapıyorum naturally means “I’m drawing/painting (a picture).” You can add bir for emphasis on “one picture”: Bir resim yapıyorum.

Why doesn’t resim have the accusative ending -i?

Because it’s not specific/definite. In Turkish, a definite direct object takes -(y)i. Compare:

Resim yapıyorum. = I’m drawing/painting (a picture) (non-specific).
Resmi yapıyorum. = I’m doing the picture (that specific one). Note: resmi also means “official” (from resmî), but context disambiguates.

Should I say resim yapmak or resim çizmek?

Both are common:

resim yapmak = to make a picture (general: draw or paint).
resim çizmek = to draw a picture (focus on drawing lines). With pastel boya, either is fine; resim yapmak is very common and safe.

When do I use boyamak?

boyamak means “to paint/color (a surface or object).” Examples:

Duvarı boyuyorum. = I’m painting the wall.
Resmi boyuyorum. = I’m coloring the picture (filling in color), not drawing it from scratch.

Why is it yapıyorum and not yaparım?

yapıyorum is present continuous: doing it now/these days.
yaparım is aorist/habitual: I do it generally/usually. Examples:
Şu anda resim yapıyorum. = I’m drawing right now.
Her gün resim yaparım. = I draw every day.

How is yapıyorum formed?

Root: yap- (do/make)
Progressive: -(I)yor (here the linking vowel is ı → yap-ı-yor-)
1st person singular: -um Result: yap-ı-yor-um → yapıyorum Negation: yapmıyorum. Question: Yapıyor muyum?

Any pronunciation tips?

ı (dotless i) in yapıyorum is a central vowel, not like English “i.” Say “yap-ı-yo-rum.”
yor is one syllable, like “yore.”
resim is “reh-sim,” short, clear vowels.
In boyayla, keep both vowels: “bo-ya-yla.”

Can I move the ile/-la phrase around?

Yes, Turkish word order is flexible, but the verb usually comes last. Natural options:

Pastel boyayla resim yapıyorum.
Resim yapıyorum pastel boyayla. (emphasis on the tool at the end) Moving elements changes emphasis more than meaning.

Should pastel boya be singular or plural?

Singular is fine for a general instrument: pastel boya ile. Use plural to stress multiple items or a set:

pastel boyalarla = with pastels (plural, as a set).

Can ile mean “and”? Could I replace it with ve?

ile can also mean and when linking nouns: Ali ile Ayşe = Ali and Ayşe. But you cannot use ve to mark an instrument. So:

Instrument: pastel boyayla resim yapıyorum (correct)
“And”: pastel boya ve kâğıt = pastel and paper (listing items)

Is Pastelle resim yapıyorum okay?

It’s understandable but less standard. People typically say pastel boyayla. Pastel alone can function as a noun in some contexts, but pastel boyayla sounds more natural and clear.

What’s the nuance of resim, çizim, and tablo?

resim: picture; general term for drawings/paintings.
çizim: a drawing (emphasis on drawn lines, technical/artistic).
tablo: a painting (as an artwork on canvas/board).