I discovered that a batch of cold porcelain I made in February is still usable. Hard to work with, but adding small drops of Elmers glue to the dough it makes it malleable again. This is the first time a batch lasts this long. I tried to take a few pictures to illustrate how I model a rose and I apologize for the abysmal quality of the images. Not an excuse, but in a few pics I was holding both cell phone and dough. Needless to say, you get what you shoot for… or something like it.

A Rose

This is more or less what you need to create a rose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I start with modeling the cone that will support the structure of the finished rose. The petals are made by flattening  the small spheres between my fingers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then, I wrap the petal around the cone like a tight scarf.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The second petal I add is not as tight as the first one, but more loosely embraces the stem.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I keep adding petals, leaving them more and more open as I go around, while I pinch the base.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Finally, I have a fully formed rose.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I cut the rose from the cone and create the stem by rolling the remaining dough between thumb and index fingers. I repeat the process with a second flower and I add a rosebud. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close up of the small composition. To create the rosebud I make an incision on one end of an elongated cylinder and then I cover it with a snug petal.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had to have some fun with the picture as well. Paint.NET oil filter on a resized canvas to accommodate my little piece of wisdom.