Cake! magazine by Australian Cake Decorating Network May 2015 | Page 71

What is it that you love about painting
on cakes?

What do you believe to be the most
difficult thing about painting on cakes?

I was a graphic artist and textile
designer for 26 years. Pure graphics,
with little to no fine art painting or
illustration. I did not study this at
college so steered away from it.
I always wanted to try it out, like
painting onto canvas, etcetera so I
started canvas painting in 2008. I
loved it so much, so when I started
cake decorating, my cake surface
became my new canvas and I
thoroughly enjoyed this new discovery
as it gave me an opportunity to extend
creativity onto cake.

I think the biggest challenge when
painting onto cake is the angles, as
it can limit control with the brush. So
ensure you set up your project in such a
way that you have as reasonable access
to your subject, so that may be raising
your cake, or tilting it at angles too.

What are some of the different methods
you use to apply the colours?
The two methods I’ve worked with are
the vodka and edible colour dusts. The
second one I work with is cocoa butter
mixed with edible colour dusts.
What tips do you have for mixing and
preparing colours for painted cakes?
My experience in mixing colours
comes from way back when I was
a textile designer. I used to sit and
look at colours for ages to see what
colours I could see inside a colour.
For example you could look at a brown
and see red, or yellow, or green.  My
tip is don’t be afraid to experiment in
colour mixing, you’ll be amazed what a
fabulous colour palette you can come
up with. For example the colour palette
I used to paint this self portrait of Van
Gogh.

When it comes to painted cakes is
there anything you shouldn’t do?
I think with all things art related, there
are no rules or do’s and don’ts.

“Creativity is all about
freedom of mind and
spirit. So feel free to
experiment as mistakes
can sometimes become
fabulous discoveries
and highly liberating.” 

Are there any specific brands of colour
you like to use when painting cakes?

Sometimes the odd mistake is
inevitable, what are you tips for
rectifying these?

I don’t have a specific brand, just what
is available to me, which are mainly
Sugarflair colour dusts and pastes.
I also have a few Edible Art colours
and I also really like the few PME
colours I have tried. I only use colour
dusts. You can use the gels as well,
but it depends on what effect you are
looking to create. I rarely use gels as I
don’t like the shiny finish.

One way is to turn your mistakes
into part of design, but if this is not
possible then it’s a matter of careful
cleaning:

Do you transfer your patterns prior to
painting?

b. If using cocoa butter, I take a cotton
bud, dip it into melted cocoa butter
and use the same process as ‘a’

I use free hand where I can as it’s
easier than trying to transfer, but if
I’m in a hurry, I transfer my design on.
My suggestion to those just starting
out with this medium, is to trace out
your outline onto your cake and have
your subject/photo nearby so you
can use it as your reference to work
with.  You can use a cel stick with point
to press design into cake. Be careful
and take it slowly as it’s awkward, and
when tracing you can slip and you can
push fingerprints into sugarpaste.

c.  ever use water. This will cause
N
damage and smears onto your
surface.

Do you have any words of wisdom for
the caking community?

a.  using vodka and colours to
If
paint with, I take a cotton bud,
dip it in vodka and carefully wipe
away the mistake, it might take
a few attempts. It will be more
successful doing this as soon as
the mistake has been made as
tends to be more successful.

What is your favourite painted cake?
I have no hesitation in saying that
painting my lions is my favourite. It
came straight from my African heart,
as most of my life has been spent in
African countries and I spent a lot of
time in the game parks.

I would just like to end by saying that
painting is all about self-expression
and freedom. Enjoy this inner
experience, it’s highly satisfying and
fulfilling. When I am painting, I put
on my favourite music and disappear
into my design, it so therapeutic and
calming. Take your time, don’t stress,
practise on old boards covered in
fondant. It’s so satisfying.