MASTER THE ART OF
REALISTIC EDIBLE PORTRAITS
Bring Faces to Life on Your Cakes or Cookies
MASTER THE ART OF
TEACHER: SAMANTHA HOPWOOD
Cake Yard, Sunshine Coast
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Private Workshop Area International Cake Show Australia Exhibition Hall 2, Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) Merivale Street South Brisbane (Southbank) Qld 4101 Workshop Duration: 1 Day Day: Sunday 2nd August, 2026 Time: 8.00am - 4.00pm Note: Note: Class finish times are approximate. Photo Credit: Your Brand Crew |
Experience Level: Beginner and above
This workshop is being taught step by step, it's suitable for everyone including beginners. No artistic experience is required.
Cost:
ACADA Members - $450
General Public - $465
*Includes a complimentary 3 day ticket to International Cake Show Australia valued at $75
Workshop Overview:
Ready to take your cake, cookie or sugarcraft artistry to an elite level? Join us for an immersive, hands-on workshop where the canvas is fondant and the medium is edible.
We're thrilled to host multi-award winning cake artist Samantha Hopwood for a deep dive into the intricate world of edible portraiture. In this workshop you'll be working on a fondant covered dummy cake, however the skills you will learn are transferable and can be applied to fondant or royal iced cookies, or many other forms of sugarcraft.
Whether you are a professional decorator looking to elevate your portfolio or a passionate home baker wanting to master the "human element" of cake or cookie design, this workshop is designed to transform your technical skills and artistic confidence. The good news is NO PRIOR ARTISTIC SKILLS ARE NEEDED!
Known for her work with Cake Yard and as a superstar competitor in the 2025 International Cake-Off Challenge, Samantha will guide you step-by-step, through the world of "painterly realism".
What You'll Learn:
In this full day session, you will learn to paint a photorealistic, expressive portrait directly onto a 1-tier 6" fondant-covered dummy cake. Your design will be based on Samantha's competition winning "Harry Potter" design.
Key techniques covered include:
Why Join this Workshop?
Samantha Hopwood is celebrated globally for her hyper-realistic style and has collected numerous gold awards at the world's most prestigious cake shows, including International Cake Show Australia.
This is a rare opportunity to:
Added Benefits:
Ready to take your cake, cookie or sugarcraft artistry to an elite level? Join us for an immersive, hands-on workshop where the canvas is fondant and the medium is edible.
We're thrilled to host multi-award winning cake artist Samantha Hopwood for a deep dive into the intricate world of edible portraiture. In this workshop you'll be working on a fondant covered dummy cake, however the skills you will learn are transferable and can be applied to fondant or royal iced cookies, or many other forms of sugarcraft.
Whether you are a professional decorator looking to elevate your portfolio or a passionate home baker wanting to master the "human element" of cake or cookie design, this workshop is designed to transform your technical skills and artistic confidence. The good news is NO PRIOR ARTISTIC SKILLS ARE NEEDED!
Known for her work with Cake Yard and as a superstar competitor in the 2025 International Cake-Off Challenge, Samantha will guide you step-by-step, through the world of "painterly realism".
What You'll Learn:
In this full day session, you will learn to paint a photorealistic, expressive portrait directly onto a 1-tier 6" fondant-covered dummy cake. Your design will be based on Samantha's competition winning "Harry Potter" design.
Key techniques covered include:
- Mapping the Face: Understanding proportions and symmetry to ensure a likeness every time.
- Colour Theory & Mixing: Master the perfect palette with edible paints. You will learn how to mix edible paints to acheive lifelike skin tones
- Layering & Blending: Creating depth and smooth transitions.
- The Windows to the Soul: How to master the fine details of eyes, lips, hair and expressions and depth. How to capture emotion in edible form
- How to Create Realism: By using highlights and shadows
- Preserving Your Artwork: How to finish and seal your edible artwork.
- Fine Art Techniques: Applying traditional painting methods to modern cake or cookie design
Why Join this Workshop?
Samantha Hopwood is celebrated globally for her hyper-realistic style and has collected numerous gold awards at the world's most prestigious cake shows, including International Cake Show Australia.
This is a rare opportunity to:
- Learn a Professional Artist's Secrets: Samantha shares the specific tools, products and "tricks of the trade" that she uses for her award-winning competition pieces.
- No Experience Needed: Whether you're a beginner or a pro, you'll receive the guidance to produce show stopping results.
- Personalised Feedback: Samantha will guide you step-by-step throughout your class. She'll give you advice and feedback that will allow you to overcome any artistic hurdles or doubts you may have. When you leave Sam's workshop you will be inspired to experient.
- Hands-on Experience: You won't just watch - you will create. You'll leave the workshop with your own edible portrait and the skills, knowledge and confidence needed to replicate realistic edible portraits at home.
- All Inclusive Experience: Your workshop ticket includes a complimentary 3-day pass to the entire show (valued at $75). givng you access to all the live demonstratins, sugar features and the shopping zone!
Added Benefits:
- Full Kit Provided: All tools, equipment and materials are included for your use, during your class. You just need to bring an apron, come along, learn and have fun.
- Take Home Your Masterpiece: You'll leave with your finished 1-tier cake in a box that will be provided, to wow your friends and family
- Exclusive Small Group: Only 14 students will have the rare opportunity to train directly with Samantha.
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About Your Teacher:
Samantha Hopwood is an award-winning cake artist, art teacher and the founder of Cake-Yard and Edible Atelier. With over a decade of experience in edible artistry and a background in fine art, Samantha blends traditional painting techniques with modern cake design. Her work is known for it's painterly realism, rich colour and ability to capture emotion in edible form.
Samantha Hopwood is an award-winning cake artist, art teacher and the founder of Cake-Yard and Edible Atelier. With over a decade of experience in edible artistry and a background in fine art, Samantha blends traditional painting techniques with modern cake design. Her work is known for it's painterly realism, rich colour and ability to capture emotion in edible form.
WORKSHOP FAQ
Limited Student Numbers & Class Timing:
This workshop has limited student numbers to ensure the very best tuition possible. The times given are guidelines. We understand all students work at different speeds, however in a workshop situation it's important you try to keep up. If you do, you'll go home with a finished project. If not, you will have learned the required skills and have some homework to complete. As with all workshops class times are approximate. We cannot guarantee all classes will finish on time.
What You'll Take Home:
At the end of your workshop we'll provide you with a box to safely transport your project home. Be super proud, we'd love to be there to see the expression on your friends' and family's faces. What you'll be making in this workshop is guaranteed to "WOW"!
Workshop Ticket Inclusions:
Your workshop ticket includes a 3 day International Cake Show Australia pass valued at $75.
You DO NOT need to buy a separate show entry ticket. Your workshop ticket gives you access to all areas of the show other than the paid areas such as workshops, mini classes, paid business training sessions and the Thursday night Sugar Artists & Vendors Cocktail Party. These are separate ticketed events.
Your workshop ticket includes express show entry, access to all stages, more than 100 free demonstrations, all the huge sugar features including the new walk 6m x 6m "Le Fete Fantastique" and "Florals & Fairies" global sugar artists features, the Battle of the Sugar Giants zone, the competition display, Wedding Cake Wars, the Superstar Stage and most importantly to the Shopping Zone.
Everything you need to complete your class is provided. All tools and equipment provided are for use during your workshop only. These can't be taken home. They need to be left at the end of your workshop, as they are needed for the following classes. If you wish to purchase any of the tools or equipment used, they will be available at various vendor stands at the show. Many of the vendors will be selling at highly discounted prices, so you'll be able to pick up lots of bargains. Your teacher will explain what you need and how you can improvise where possible, however they'll also tell you the best places to source any items you may need to purchase, if you want to recreate your project again at home.
What You Need to Bring:
You need to bring an apron, a bottle of water if needed, a light lunch and a smile. If you need to pick up a light lunch, tea or coffee, the cafe and coffee stand within the show will be open. Please note the venue have introduced new rules. Due to their food safety requirements we are unable to provide complimentary tea and coffee throughout the show.
Every workshop is packed full of invaluable skills, techniques and tips you'll use for many years to come, they're also lots of fun. Why not consider inviting your bestie to come share in your funfilled learning experience.
What if I book a class then see something else I prefer, can I transfer?
Yes of course you can, providing there are places available and your new class is of a similar value. If not you'll need to pay the difference. You are able to swap classes up until 14 days prior to the show.
What if I can't make it, or the class is cancelled, will I get a refund?
In the event there aren't sufficient student numbers to make the class economically viable, or the teacher is unable to make it due to being unwell we will provide you with as much notice as possible and provide you with the choice of an immediate 100% refund or option to transfer into another workshop, the choice is yours! In the event you aren't able to make it you are welcome to transfer your ticket to someone else. We begin preparations for the workshops months before the show, therefore refunds unfortuantely aren't available. If you need to transfer your ticket to someone else, please ensure you contact us to let us know, so we can welcome them.
This workshop has limited student numbers to ensure the very best tuition possible. The times given are guidelines. We understand all students work at different speeds, however in a workshop situation it's important you try to keep up. If you do, you'll go home with a finished project. If not, you will have learned the required skills and have some homework to complete. As with all workshops class times are approximate. We cannot guarantee all classes will finish on time.
What You'll Take Home:
At the end of your workshop we'll provide you with a box to safely transport your project home. Be super proud, we'd love to be there to see the expression on your friends' and family's faces. What you'll be making in this workshop is guaranteed to "WOW"!
Workshop Ticket Inclusions:
Your workshop ticket includes a 3 day International Cake Show Australia pass valued at $75.
You DO NOT need to buy a separate show entry ticket. Your workshop ticket gives you access to all areas of the show other than the paid areas such as workshops, mini classes, paid business training sessions and the Thursday night Sugar Artists & Vendors Cocktail Party. These are separate ticketed events.
Your workshop ticket includes express show entry, access to all stages, more than 100 free demonstrations, all the huge sugar features including the new walk 6m x 6m "Le Fete Fantastique" and "Florals & Fairies" global sugar artists features, the Battle of the Sugar Giants zone, the competition display, Wedding Cake Wars, the Superstar Stage and most importantly to the Shopping Zone.
Everything you need to complete your class is provided. All tools and equipment provided are for use during your workshop only. These can't be taken home. They need to be left at the end of your workshop, as they are needed for the following classes. If you wish to purchase any of the tools or equipment used, they will be available at various vendor stands at the show. Many of the vendors will be selling at highly discounted prices, so you'll be able to pick up lots of bargains. Your teacher will explain what you need and how you can improvise where possible, however they'll also tell you the best places to source any items you may need to purchase, if you want to recreate your project again at home.
What You Need to Bring:
You need to bring an apron, a bottle of water if needed, a light lunch and a smile. If you need to pick up a light lunch, tea or coffee, the cafe and coffee stand within the show will be open. Please note the venue have introduced new rules. Due to their food safety requirements we are unable to provide complimentary tea and coffee throughout the show.
Every workshop is packed full of invaluable skills, techniques and tips you'll use for many years to come, they're also lots of fun. Why not consider inviting your bestie to come share in your funfilled learning experience.
What if I book a class then see something else I prefer, can I transfer?
Yes of course you can, providing there are places available and your new class is of a similar value. If not you'll need to pay the difference. You are able to swap classes up until 14 days prior to the show.
What if I can't make it, or the class is cancelled, will I get a refund?
In the event there aren't sufficient student numbers to make the class economically viable, or the teacher is unable to make it due to being unwell we will provide you with as much notice as possible and provide you with the choice of an immediate 100% refund or option to transfer into another workshop, the choice is yours! In the event you aren't able to make it you are welcome to transfer your ticket to someone else. We begin preparations for the workshops months before the show, therefore refunds unfortuantely aren't available. If you need to transfer your ticket to someone else, please ensure you contact us to let us know, so we can welcome them.
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