3D Pie Painting

I've been thinking of creating beautiful 3D Inedible art that makes your soul smile. In the future I plan to create Traditional sweets but in this tutorial I've begun with creating nostalgic pie's from my childhood.

Materials:-

Mini Canvas

Pencil

Watercolour paints (any painting/colouring medium)

Brushes

Acrylic paint 

Painting knives 

Texture/Sculpture paste

Piping bag and nozzles (you can also just use a plastic bag and tape to create a similar makeshift method)

Palette

UV Resin 

Tissues

Pair of Scissors

Sketch out your idea. I stuck 4 mini canvases to create a single intertwined image of four different pattern plates holding four different flavours/slices of pie.

Start with drawing the outlines of the sketch. 

Draw a circle to form the plates and paint in the details, you can use any colouring medium.

I want to keep the aesthetics of the plates that of ceramic/Moroccan print inspired. I've also made sure to paint the edges to carry over the look of the plate.

Remember to have fun and experiment with different patterns, colours, and details to achieve the desired ceramic/Moroccan-inspired aesthetic for your plates!!!

Paint the pie shell details and give the desired layerings. I'm using watercolour and acrylic paints, you can use any medium you enjoy working with. I've also made sure to paint the sides of the canvas for the feel of a deep pie emphasizing its 3D effect.

1. Base Layer: Use watercolour to apply a light brown or beige base layer.
2. Texture and Details: Switch to acrylic paints. Add texture and details like crimps or flakiness to the pie crust using a smaller brush.
3. Layering: Build depth by layering different shades of brown and yellow acrylic paints. Start with a lighter shade and gradually add darker tones for shadows and dimension.
4. Highlighting: Use a lighter shade of acrylic paint to add highlights where light would naturally hit.

Choose a resin that is suitable for your project. There are various types available, including clear, coloured, and even those with special effects like glitter or pearl finishes.

Adding UV resin to the plate layer is a great way to create separation from the background while also adding shine and sealing the layer for protection. I've used UV resin that came with a UV curing lamp. Personally, I am a huge fan of ceramics and enjoyed creating various patterns on these plates.

I used the bottle itself to paint in the desired shape and cured it with multiple rounds of UV from the small lamp that was provided with the resin. Make sure to apply a thin and even layer of UV resin to the plate layer. Take care not to apply too much resin, as it can result in drips or uneven coverage and give issues in curing stage.

After applying the resin, check for any air bubbles that may have formed. Use a heat gun or a toothpick to carefully remove any bubbles by gently heating the surface or popping them with the toothpick.

Use safety gloves, mask and eyewear for protection. Always work in a well ventilated area.

Mixing Knife Painting Materials:

Heavy Gloss Effect Material: Mix the heavy gloss effect material with your chosen paint colours to create the appearance of fruit based pies using painting knives. This material will provide a shiny, glossy finish to mimic the texture of these fillings. For this project the chosen flavours are:-

• Blueberry Pie
• Cherry Pie
• Lemon Meringue Pie
• Mixed Berry Silky Pie

Heavy Sculpture Paste: Use the heavy sculpture paste for forming structures and adding depth to the painting. This material has a thicker consistency, making it ideal for creating raised textures or adding dimension to certain elements. Using a makeshift piping bag inspired by Mehandi/henna cones to create 3D artwork including blueberries, mixed berries, Pie crust and top crust, whipped cream swirls, meringue peaks. This is the most fun step of all and the reason for the entire project.

Step 1: Prepare the Piping Bag:

• Cut a plastic bag into a sheet and form a cone shape. Secure the shape with duct tape to create a piping bag.
• Place the cone in a small container to hold it upright.
• Spread the bag over the container for filling.

Step 2: Mix the Heavy Paint Sculpture:

• Prepare the heavy paint sculpture mixture in your desired colour for the blueberries. Ensure the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape when piped.

Step 3: Load the Piping Bag:

• Use a painting knife to fill the piping bag with the mixed heavy paint sculpture. Fill it enough to comfortably pipe the blueberries without overflowing.

Step 4: Pipe the 3D Blueberries:

• Cut a small tip from the piping bag to create a small opening for piping.
• Starting from one end of the canvas, gently squeeze the piping bag to release the mixture in small, round shapes, resembling blueberries.
• Continue piping the blueberries, spacing them out evenly and varying their sizes to add realism and depth to the painting.

I have also used a squeezy bottle with piping nozzles to pipe other details with the same thick sculpture paste material.

Let the heavy paint sculpture dry completely.

1. Ensure good airflow and avoid touching the painted surface until it's dry.
2. Let it dry for more than 24 hrs, you can check by poking its peaks with a toothpick.
3. Once dry, you can add any final touches or details to finish your artwork by painting on highlights and shadows. eg:- syrup, sauce, torched meringue peaks.

And Voila! You've just created yourself some inedible eye candy sweet treats. Bon- Appetite.