When creating realistic sugar flowers like hibiscus, the term "paste" often refers to working with edible modeling paste, specifically gum paste. Shaping gum paste to form the intricate parts of the hibiscus flower involves various techniques, including using specialized tools.
Working with Gum Paste for Hibiscus Flowers
Making a gum paste hibiscus involves several steps, from preparing the paste to shaping petals, leaves, and centers, and finally assembling and coloring the flower. The shaping process is crucial for achieving a natural look.
Shaping Techniques Using Tools
One technique involves using specific tools to add texture and form to the gum paste. As seen in the provided reference, after creating a basic shape, you might need to refine it.
- Creating Raised Sections: To achieve realistic contours, such as a raised section from the bottom going upwards on a petal or other part of the flower, you use tools to manipulate the gum paste.
- Using a Sponge and Vayner: A common method involves placing the gum paste piece onto a soft sponge or foam pad. Then, a tool like a Vayner (often a veining tool or part of a veining set) is used. As the reference indicates, you would use the little sponge that comes with the Vayner and push the gum paste. This action, combined with the pressure against the sponge, helps to thin edges, create ruffles, or imprint veins and textures, resulting in a raised or shaped section on the gum paste.
| Tool | Purpose | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Gum Paste | Edible sugar paste for modeling flowers | Shaped, molded, and textured |
| Sponge Pad | Provides a soft surface for shaping/veining | Allows edges to thin or forms to be pushed |
| Vayner/Tool | Used for veining, shaping, and texturing | Pushed against gum paste on a sponge to shape |
This process is vital for giving the flat gum paste pieces a lifelike, three-dimensional quality before they are assembled into the final hibiscus flower.
