I've always loved painting cakes. I used to look at them and think, "I could paint that."
But then I realized that painting a real cake is actually really hard. There are all these weird textures and colors, and the way they reflect light is different from how skin, fabric, or anything else reflects light. It's hard because it's not just one thing—it's a bunch of things working together to make something beautiful.
So I started thinking about how I could make it easier for myself. How could I make my cakes look more realistic? What tools should I use and why? What would be the best way to create those textures?
Then one day, as I was dreaming about a red cardinal flying out of a cherry cake (yes, really), an idea came to me: what if I taught a class on it?
And so here we are! This class will teach you everything you need for creating your own realistic cakes—from the tools you'll need all the way down to the techniques for getting those delicious-looking frostings just right.
Painting Cakes & Pastries, November 12-13, 1-6 pm EST
Painting Class/Layered Textured & Impasto Techniques
What You Will Learn:
Several layering techniques involving depth and texture to add interest to the art piece by creating the illusion of sculpted form.
How to paint with soft and hard edges to achieve a greater sense of space.
How to take your color mixing further using various kinds of mediums.
How to make something look realistic but not photographic.
How to use a reference photo without making it look like a copy.
-or- How to paint from life. In this case, buy or back your own cake!
Composition tips for a finished painting that differs from the reference photo.
Two methods of approaching a painting - direct and indirect painting methods.
You will leave this class with several new skills you can apply to your next painting!
Painting Cakes & Pastries, November 12-13, 1-6 pm EST
Painting Class/Layered Textured & Impasto Techniques
Let us paint the cake!
You do not need a sweet tooth to join in on the fun here. Cake painting is one of the only times I find myself pushing up the shopping trolley beside the always abandoned (and hard to summon anyone at that) glass cake display of my local supermarket. As I eye the colorful, layered confections, my mind begins a running tally of paints and thickening mediums I will need to put on my palette for the project!
This class will be held online, on Zoom, over the weekend.
This class was inspired for several reasons. One is my enduring love of painting pastries and seeing them in art. Two, celebrating the life and work of Wayne Thiebaud, as pictured above in my selfie. Haven’t you always wanted to paint so lusciously? And three, a good student who wished to attend weekend classes, I agreed! I hope you can join me in these new adventures.
Each morning Teresa will begin with a three-hour painting demonstration, fully narrated and live. Afterward, she will offer more direct critiques and "hands-on" screen instruction for students as they work on their creations. It is highly recommended that you paint from life for this one, arranging your cake and or pastry still life.
Thickening or Impasto mediums will be discussed and made in front of you with simple ingredients that Teresa will show you where to purchase. Palette knife work, paint layering, painting composition, and various colors such as lead white and titanium will be discussed and used.
Supply List- https://www.houseofoaxaca.com/single-post/painting-workshop-supplies
If you do not already have one, you will need to create a new Zoom account to log in and participate in this class.
A full Zoom recording of both sessions will be made available to you as well so that you can go back, pause, listen, and re-watch everything.
Supply List
Ultramarine Blue Green Shade (or any ultramarine blue from Old Holland or Michael Harding of another brand of your choice)
Chromium Oxide Green
Lemon Ochre (or any Yellow Ochre)
Chrome Yellow Primrose (or a cadmium Lemon Yellow)
Lead Tin Yellow Dark (not necessary, just my favorite)
Orange Molybdate (lovely orange, but cadmium orange can be substituted)
Pozzuoli Red (a fancy name for red iron oxide pigments. Try looking for Venetian Red or English Red too)
Rose Madder (or Alizarin Crimson, our Permanent Rose)
Cypress Umber Raw Dark (or a raw Umber)
Lead White #1 (or Titanium white, Flake White Replacement)
Bone Black (“Ivory Black” No one makes paint from natural Ivory anymore, it's just a fanciful name)
Vermillion (discontinued. Try Cadmium Red instead)
Cobalt Chromite Blue
French Sienna
Mediums- Oleogel
Italian Varnish
Impasto Putty
https://www.naturalpigments.com/oil-painting/mediums.html
Canvas Support- One 16x20" or larger primed stretched canvas or panel
