How to Create A Floral Painted Cake!
Inspired by "The Painted Cake" by Natasha Collins by Murdoch Books, sent for review
- A fondant coated two tier cake - ensure that the fondant isn't soft and has set firm without any cracks
- A pattern that you like the look of (bigger patterns are easier than fine patterns)
- A 2b pencil (they don't use lead in pencils anymore so don't worry :) )
- A sheet of baking paper or tracing paper
- 3x #8 brushes (you don't need to use expensive brushes)
- 1x #1 brush
- Food colouring (I used a sky blue, yellow, leaf green and black, all in gels)
- A palette
- A cup of water (tap is fine)
A little bit of advice - I would definitely recommend practicing this on paper or rolled out fondant before you try it on the cake itself. This is to get to know the brush and the amount of liquid that you will need on the brush. I used a #8 brush for everything but tracing outside the flower for which I used a #1 brush.
Step 1 - Trace the pattern on the parchment using the pencil. Trace enough to cover a 20cm or 8 inch cake. I drew freehand leaves at the end and concentrated on tracing the flowers. Take the cake and place the paper pencil side against the cake and use the rubber end to transfer the pattern. This is why you need the fondant to be set because as you can see I couldn't wait (hello impatient!) and the fondant had some of my fingerprints. This will be your outline. I darkened the outline a bit with pencil.
Step 2 - The key to making pretty flowers and pictures is to have at least three layers of colour from lightest (aka barely able to see) to medium to dark. This helps create a more realistic effect. Start with some water and a little food colouring. I make sure to test out the strength of the colour on a piece of paper before I touch the cake with the brush. Colour in the flower with the palest colour.
Step 3 - Using another cavity in the palette mix some water with more gel - this time use more gel and less water to make a medium strength colour. Paint the outside of the flowers and some of the inside with this stronger colour. I also drew little four petal flowers with this colour.
Step 4 - Take the number 1 brush and fill a cavity with the black gel. Lightly dip the brush into it and carefully trace around all the flowers.
Step 5 - Using the #8 brush again add a little water to some blue gel and draw little highlights on the flower. They can be small and done freehand (just leave the centre free for the yellow stigma). The three shades of blue add depth to the flower.
Step 6 - Draw stems and leaves with the pencil Repeat the process with green by layering on a really light shade of green for the leaves and then a darker shade. I just used two shades of green for the leaves and the darker one for the stem.
Step 7 - Take a new #8 brush or a cleaned one and dip the tip in a little yellow gel. Finish off the flower with a yellow stigmata!
Tips: If you have an unsteady hand, use your other hand to anchor your drawing hand. This is particularly useful for intricate work or when you have been painting a lot.
Troubleshooting: It is entirely possible to erase any painting mistakes provided that the fondant doesn't have any cracks in it. All you need to do is get a clean #8 brush, a cup of water and a paper towel. Dip the brush into the water and gently rub the wet brush against the colour. Use the paper towel to dab at any excess water.
Cleaning your brushes: always wash brushes in cold water, never hot. Separate the bristles gently to remove all of the colour and try to keep them in a natural shape. Place a little hand soap on a plate and dab the brush in it. Using your finger, smooth the brush back out to its natural shape. Place in a glass to dry. When ready to use, wash it out with cold water and it will retained its shape.