I watch all of the cake shows on TV. And you see everyone doing skecths of the cakes they make. I was wondering does everyone on here do sketchs of the cakes they make? Does that help them make a better cake?
Thanks
Starla B.

I don't because I know in my head what I want it to look like. However, when finalizing with a bride I usually have Doug make me a sketch and I detail what each tier will look like for the bride (A - I hate surprises, and B - I can't draw for beans!)

It depends on what I am doing and if the ideas are already in my head, so no not everytime and I can't say it makes a better cake, it just helps to find ideas when I need some inspiration.

I've never sketched a cake. Back when I first started, if someone had told me I had to sketch my cakes, I never would have gotten started in cake decorating at all. My sister is an artist; my first husband was an artist; I can't draw on paper at all. It's funny to tell people that "a blank cake is my canvas".

I dont' sketch, I don't write out instructions, I don't keep any kind of records of how to do something, like what size tip I used or anything. I just look at it and do it.

If suddenly it became "a law" that I had to sketch my cakes, you'd probably see all of my equipment on craigs list.

I do sometimes. The reason is because i can put together several different ideas and fine tune what actually looks good together. Especially if the customer has said to do whatever and leaves the design up to me.

I usually do sketch a cake...except my 3D cakes. Those I'm usually copying something in real life so I'm using photos or items that I'm copying. I make a lot of sketches but mainly I have learned that if I can draw it then I can make it, and if I can't draw it then I can't make it. I'm not all that great of artist but I can sketch a little.

I've only sketched a few of my cakes, but I feel those are the ones that have turned out the best in terms of decoration placement and color combo. Try it and see how it works for you!

I only sketch if the customer has trouble envisioning the cake..........me I always envision it, no problem.

I sketch if I'm talking someone into something

For example, my sister's best friend wanted a cake in the shape of a giant letter L, covered in white fondant with zebra stripes on it. I didn't want to do that so I drew her a picture of something else I could do. And she printed the picture out and has been showing it to everyone she knows.


When I do a sketch, I scan it on the computer and then I touch it up a bit with a picture editing program, and add a shadow.

About people saying they can't sketch, sometimes I'm shy about how I draw, but my 7 year old can draw beautiful 3D cakes...and I just tell myself that if a 7 year old can do it, then I should be able to.

I sketch my cakes and am not very good with pencil! One customer even mentioned that it was obvious I didn't have an art degree! Can you believe that!?? I do it very quickly as a courtesy, but honestly these comments annoy me enough to stop. I guess they are super-happy when the cake is beautiful with such a "rough" sketch to go by!

I am a newbie and was wondering for those of us who cannot draw is there a program that will allow you to draw cakes etc.?

I think even if I COULD draw/sketch, I wouldnt' do it. I start with a basic idea and create as I go. With as 'zilla as some people can get, I just dont' want to get into a situation where they point out "Your sketch had 6 flowers on the 2nd tier but I only counted 5! I should get a full refund!"

I started sketching mines after sadsmile taught me to plan ahead. From then on, I ended up with a plan so I can visualize what it would really look like.

Btw Judi, I love your sketch!

I was a designer at a furniture store several years ago, so I drew room layouts all the time for clients. So to me it just makes sense to layout a cake too - I draw it out to scale on graph paper so I know my proportions are correct. I haven't had anyone ask for one yet, and I'm not sure I would give it to a client anyway. They could just take my idea to their friend/aunt/MIL/neighbor who can 'do the same thing for less'.

I'm still pretty new to cake decorating though... maybe one day I'll let go of my security blanket!

Thanks Texas_Rose

If I have a few ideas in my head I will sketch them out to see which I like better. And If I have a client that want something custom ( don't they all) it helps them to visualize what i am thinking.

hmm i only sketch a cake if someone ask's me to, but i can hardly draw ..it looks like a two year old drew it

I do sketches but just for me, not to show to anyone. It helps keep me organized and remember ideas I may have in advance and don't want to forget when the time comes to get started on the cake, or remind me of details that need to be made in advance.

For the person looking for a computer option, if you want a free way to just look at shapes or construction ideas you can use the shapes in Word to play around - like I'll attach this one that matches my avatar when I wanted to remember what the birthday girl asked for.

Thanks superwawa I will try that too.

I only sketch if I'm having a hard time envisioning it or if I'm not sure if different components will work together. But if I'm working from a picture, or I'm just changing 1 or 2 things, then I don't.

We draw it more for posterity and so I can put to paper all the ideas swirling around in my head. We've only had one client ask for drawing and we did a rough sketch with notes of how it would look. Usually, I sketch more as my note-taking when I take an order over the phone. And lastly, the drawings tend to be more for Peter so HE knows where I am going...in case he can help when I'm working.

Paul

i'm even cheaper than micro word. i use the standard paint program to do all my sketches for me. i make a basic square or circle then go to town on it. colors, borders, etc its really easy. i have drawn my cakes out by hand before but i like the option of the "undo" better than having to use an eraser.

I sketch any cake I feel is important. The reason is sometimes I have an idea in my head but the reality sucks, lol!!! So instead I'll draw up 4-5 designs and pick my fave. One time I think I came up with 10 designs. Lol. Just me and my semi-OCD ways

Well yet another check box on my OCD checklist, lol, I am just a hobby baker, but I always sketch, often time I will resketch the same cake over and over putting it together in my mind as I go different ways, layers, details, layout, colors... I enjoy it and it really helps me realize my final product. My notebook is the first thing I grab when I'm figuring out a cake. I almost always sketch by hand, but I sometimes use publisher to put one together, here's an example, buy I prefer pencil and paper

I almost always make a sketch. For me, it's primarily so that I don't forget something that I wanted to include on the cake.
If I'm multitasking it's easy to get sidelined and forget to add a swag, or some piping. It's usually something simple but if I forget to add it I kick myself all day.
My sketches are very crude and quite often I outline my steps as well.