Tutorial Preview
Highlights
Here we have carefully selected the key parts from the entire tutorial and condensed it into an 12 min long video. More than enough to get you started without taking too much time.
1. Making the pistils and stamens
This lesson is full of wonderfully delicate work that adds incredible realism to the flowers using everyday items and clever techniques.
2. Making the flowers
Here Robert shows us how to make the beautiful individual flowers that make up the scabious using the coloured flower paste we prepared earlier.
3. Colouring the flowers
Now that the flowers for the scabious are ready Robert shows us how to colour them using various dusts, as well as some great paint brush techniques.
4. Making the seed pods
Here Robert makes the seed pods, which are the centre of the scabious. He demonstrates two methods – one a lot quicker than the other – but you can tell Robert would rather take the long road for the more authentic look.
5. Working on the closed bud
Robert creates various stages of the scabious life, and in this lesson shows us how to complete the closed bud using various dusts and fine hairs.
6. Attaching the smaller flowers
Now it’s time to attach the flower to the centre of the scabious and Robert shows us some fantastic techniques to achieve realistic results.
7. Attaching the larger flowers
Robert starts off by attaching the smaller flowers, as well as the stamens, to the centre.
8. Making the calyx
In this lesson Robert shows us how to make the calyx which attaches underneath the flower.
9. Attaching the hairs and calyx
We see it really start to come together in this lesson with the finer details being added with careful use of tweezers and homemade edible glue.
10. Dusting and steaming the flowers
Robert uses various dusts mixed together to create wonderful tones and then shows us some great brush techniques to highlight only the key areas.
11. Making the scabious leaf
Robert starts off by showing us how to make the scabious leaf using special cutters he has personally designed which can be purchased through his website. He shows us a clever technique when using leaf cutters which will save you a lot of time. Corn flour is key!
12. Colouring the leaves
Now that the leaves are ready it’s time to dust them and glaze them using the homemade edible glaze recipe.
13. Putting it all together
Here we see all the different flowers, leaves and everything being turned into a complete arrangement.
14. Making the contorted hazel
Robert shares a little something extra with this great technique for creating contorted hazel, which adds lovely dynamic movement to the arrangement.
15. Other ideas
Here Robert shares some other ideas you can try your hand at when making this project. We’re sure you have some of your own great ideas and we’d love to see what you come up with.
Share your lovely pics with us on our Facebook page as well as Robert’s.
16. Pro lesson
In this lesson, Paul shares some insider information about the cost to make this cake, as well as pricing, portions and other vital information for any professional cake designer.
NOTE: THIS WAS FILMED BEFORE ROBERT HAD HIS BOTANICALLY CORRECT CUTTERS AND VEINERS. ROBERT USED IS OWN TEMPLATES IN THIS TUTORIAL. THE CUTTERS AND VEINERS ARE NOW AVAILABLE VIA THE TOOLS TAB.
Delicate and stunningly realistic, Robert shows us how to master the Butterfly Blue Scabious. This is a tutorial that will show you just how realistic edible flowers can be and put beside a real flower, you would be hard pressed to tell them apart. Almost too good to eat?
‘Butterfly Blue’ as its name suggests, is highly attractive to butterflies and bees. This delicate purple – lavender blue favourite is often referred to as the pincushion flower. Other varieties can be found in pink, white, yellow, red, deep purple, burgundy and black.
This design, as you may have noticed, doesn’t actually contain any cake – but it does make an incredible cake decoration or topper. Imagine a simple white cake with this stunning scabious sat on top – perfect for a wedding or any special occasion. If you watch all of Robert’s tutorials you could put them all together as beautiful arrangement! Robert’s edible flowers have even been known to be part of a bride’s bouquet – testament to how versatile they can be.
This tutorial covers many different skills including advanced techniques for creating realistic textures, advanced edible dust and paintwork, making your own edible glaze and much, much more.
We’d love to see your take on the Butterfly Blue Scabious – share your snaps with us on our Facebook page!
