MAKING A GUMPASTE ROSE

NEEDED:
CelBoard
Celpins
Practice board
Gumpaste
Rose cutter set C225 or other cutters of choice
Water for gluing petals
Special cloth covered wire for stem - choose weight appropriate for the size of roses you are making.
Ceramic Silk Veining Tool #HP405
Petal dust
Gel-paste food coloring

General instructions:

The highlighted links will take you to the necessary products.
Color the gumpaste as desired. TIP: don't color too deep because later when you apply petal dust it will look nicer.
Roll gumpaste on a very smooth clean CelBoard using a Celpin (small rolling pin). It should be as thin as possible. If the petals won't hold shape you must work sifted confectioners sugar into your dough until it is thick enough.
Pictured for shaping petals, use a spoon of appropriate size.

NOTE you should make a small hook on the end of the wire. This prevents the wire from slipping out. Dampen the wire before inserting it. Cut wires no more than 4-5" long.

1. Make a gumpaste cone as shown on a toothpick or wire (you don't have to use either). Not shown, I 'tool' - thin and flatten just the end of the bud making the bud itself resemble a petal. This illuminates a step of the first petal. Let dry, preferably overnight.

2. Cut petal, thin the top edge (I prefer the white bone tool). Ceramic Silk Veining Tool #HP405
This tool is used for light veining while smoothing.

3. Dampen the bottom of the petal to make it stick to the bud using a little water on a fine brush. Apply to bud.

4. Roll out and cut several petals (as many as you can handle before they dry out). You can store them under a Practice board flap if you wish.

Work all petals paper thin on edges and place upturned elongated actuary for curve, curling the petal down as shown.

If you are making a large rose it will be best to let 3 petals dry overnight, then apply more until finished.

When completely dry add calyx. Thin calyx edges like you did your rose petals.

Once entire rose is completely dried, dust using petal dust of a slightly deeper or contrasting color, to bring it to life. See how most of the dust is at the outer edge? If you hold the rose so you dust from the edge inward, you will get this effect. Dust leaves too! TIP: If you want them to look 'waxy' like real ones, finish, dust, then spread shortening over the leaf. Melt over steam. Find a good 'real' leaf and that will also help with realism.

It helps to have a real rose or a good picture of one, for an example of how you want your rose to look.
Here are some rose examples for you to compare with.