The Perfect Finish: 25 Realistic Techniques
Amber McKenney
Class Preview
1:38
- In-depth Instruction; over 149 mins
- On-demand video access anytime
- Bonus downloadable PDF resources
- Access to class Q&A
Textures I: Simple Effects
30:17
Meet cake decorator Amber McKenney and get started building your own realistic cake decorations! Amber starts off with techniques for crafting round grapes and kumquats as well as perfect scallions and celery stalks as she shares her hints for texturing your treats.
Textures II: Unusual Effects
20:51
Build on your skills as Amber walks you through more complex textures, including blue cheese, broccoli and even thin and delicate lettuce leaves. Learn how to use household items to add authenticity to your pieces, and watch Amber's techniques for using rice cereal treats as a crafting base.
Coloring I: Gradients & Layering
17:36
Breathe life into your cake decorations with Amber's airbrushing. You'll discover how to apply color gradients and layers of rich color to get the perfect level of realism. Plus, find out how an angled spraying technique will highlight grooves and textures in your designs.
Coloring II: Creative Textures
21:24
Dig deeper into coloring your designs as Amber combines airbrushing with hand-painting, and discover how to avoid common mistakes. Next, you'll start playing with fire as you learn how to use a torch to give a golden-brown finish to fondant crackers.
Smooth & Shine
12:10
Amber shows you how to paint a fanciful layer of gold onto a sugar fig and provides her hints for getting a perfectly smooth crumb coat, no matter the shape of your cake. You'll also learn Amber's secret technique for lending a glassy glint to a wine bottle-themed cake.
Wood Techniques
18:25
Achieve authentic wood finishes as Amber demonstrates her steps for creating a vegetable crate cake to house your other bountiful decorations. See how to replicate rich woodgrain texture and learn a simple method for a wood-burned effect. Then, return to your airbrush to heighten texture and realism.
Creating Arrangements
28:09
Add the finishing touches to your cakes with Amber's guidance. Learn how to arrange your decorations for the most eye-pleasing results as Amber walks you through how to design and plan two cakes. Then, wrap up the class by assembling your vegetable creations into a final crate cake that looks like it came straight from a farmers' market!
Learn modeling, texturing and coloring techniques to create amazing accents for food cakes and many other designs. Alongside cake artist Amber McKenney, you’ll start by using basic modeling and texturing methods to create convincing sugar grapes, kumquats, scallions, celery and figs. Achieve more complex textures as you easily craft amazing blue cheese, broccoli, red onion and lettuce leaf decorations. Then, discover essential airbrushing and hand-painting techniques for creating color gradients, layering and highlights that bring your foods to life. Move on to enhancing the textures you’ve already created with smooth and shining finishes. Plus, create woodgrain panels for a crate cake, and arrange your fruits and vegetables inside for a result that looks like it came straight from the farmers’ market.
Amber McKenney
Amber McKenney is the owner of Sweet on Cake, a boutique-style custom cakery located in Napa, California. She opened her business in 2009 after getting her start at a renowned wedding cake bakery. Amber has competed on Food Network Challenge six times, and her cakes have been featured in numerous magazines and wedding blogs, including Martha Stewart Weddings and People magazine. In 2014, Amber was named one of the top cake makers in the country by Martha Stewart Weddings magazine.
Bonus materials available after purchase