If you, like this reviewer, have tried to paint using food coloring
you will know that the results are not the same as painting
on paper or fabric. If this effect is what you are trying
to achieve it can be disappointing, but no longer. TV personality
and all-round craftswoman Stephanie Weightman has discovered
how to make real paints that you can use to decorate cakes
in exactly the same way you use acrylics! Here's how it is
done.
You don't
even need to buy a lot of new items to do it with which is
always heartening. These are not paints you buy to add to
what you already own, but ones you mix yourself using powder
food colors and a couple of other things, then apply with
bristle brushes. This is not a recipe book so you will have
to look elsewhere for recipes for cakes, sugarpastes, frosting
etc but this leaves more room for the lovely projects. Start
by learning how to flat ice and otherwise provide a flat surface
for painting on, and then practisepractice your brush strokes
to paint leaves, petals and berries. There are several types
of cake in here ranging from the ever-popular cupcakes to
round cakes (mostly 10"), a heart shaped cake and various
tiered examples, including two unusual and very effective
wedding cakes. Flowers range from lavender, a sunflower, roses,
pansies, lilies plus dragonflies and three-dimensional butterflies.
Each project is illustrated with a large photograph of the
finished piece, plus steps with smaller photographs showing
how it is done. This is a lovely and hands-on book that is
sure to make painters and sugarcrafters alike race to the
nearest kitchen to have a go.
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