Paper Dahlia Creative Process

Discover how I make this beautiful bloom, that everyone loves so much!

I love making paper dahlias especially the Café au Lait types. I’ve recreated this flower many times and I’m sure you will learn something new from this material which you can use and adapt to your own work aesthetics. The luxurious variety called Royal – the inspiration for this course, has these gorgeous variegated blooms which make such an impression with their soft pink tones, blended with streaks of dark magenta and sometimes white. The vintage looking two-tone color palette, which is completely adorable, inspired me to make this creative process and reveal my methods of painting the paper in order to achieve this look. You will also learn the techniques I use for shaping the petals in order to create that effortless movement, with slightly rebel curves and graceful shapes. All these details will be completed with some anatomical details like how to make the sepals and bracts, the small delicate buds and the big strong leaves. This course will teach you enough elements so you can understand this flower and continue to explore it on your own.

Course curriculum

    1. Course preview, Curriculum & Terms of use

      FREE PREVIEW

    2. Printable section - Coloring tips, supplies, TEMPLATE, procedural steps and more

    1. Chapter 1 - papers

    2. Chapter 2 - petals

    3. Chapter 3 - assembling

    4. Chapter 4 - final steps

    1. Cutting and laminating the paper

    2. Coloring the papers for the dahlia

    1. Shaping the dahlia petals - part 1

    2. Shaping the dahlia petals - part 2

    1. Assembling the dahlia flower - part 1

    2. Assembling the dahlia flower - part 2

    1. Laminating and painting the papers for the sepals and leaves

    2. Adding the sepals and the last petals to the dahlia

    3. Making the dahlia buds

    4. Making the dahlia leaves

    5. Assembling all the elements to complete the dahlia stem

About this course

  • $58.00
  • 17 lessons
  • 3.5 hours of video content
  • dahlia petals
  • dahlia leaves
  • assembling a cafe au lait dahlia

YOU WILL FIND

Written course with images and text, video content for every chapter, supply list and tips.

  • Written Course

    A step by step written guide with more than 100 pages of images and text. This is the Paper Dahlia Study released in 2021, revisited and enriched with a few more information about supplies and tips.

  • Printable section

    A wide range of materials that you can download and print: procedural steps, written course, supply list and vendors, reference images and template page.

  • Video content

    More than 3 hours of video content, which corresponds to every chapter of the written course, so you can see how I make every step presented.

FAQ

  • What type of materials do I need to take this course?

    For this project you will need the fine 90 gr. Italian crepe paper to make the flower and the heavy weight 160 gr. German crepe paper to make the leaves. In addition, you need some extra fine crepe paper, to make the sepals. In the supply list I present all the color codes needed and the ideal substitution for each category. You also need some good quality white glue, Tacky glue and hot glue with hot glue gun, floral wires in different gages, scissors, wire cutter and all the basic materials that every paper florist should have in the studio. For the coloring process I use acrylics but I also offer some options and tips in case you wish to color the paper in a simpler style.

  • How long can I access the course?

    As long as Christine Paper Design exists and I can sustain the activity and the hosting cost. I will do my best to make that happen for a long time but my advice is, once you purchase the course make the best of it; download all the materials and try to learn as much as you can. Enjoy the process, take notes and make use of every detail I provide. This is a written course with video support so, once you purchase it, you can download all the written materials to your computer, with the requirement of respecting the Terms of Use.

  • Can I make the course if I’m a beginner or do I need to be an experienced paper florist?

    Normally I would say that you need to have some experience with this craft but I had the chance to see some really great achievements made by beginners. Keep in mind that dahlias are one of the most difficult flowers to recreate from paper because of the big petal quantity needed. This being said, I don’t believe in limits and labels so if you wish to learn, go for it! You have to practice for a few times until you will understand the specifics of this flower.

  • Can I reach out if I have questions?

    Yes! Please, feel free to ask everything you need to know relating this course. I will do my best to answer fast. You can do that by leaving a comment beneath each lesson and I will reply.

  • I have no experience with acrylic coloring. Can I still make the project?

    Yes! I offer a lot of support and advice during this process: I share information about what brands to buy, how to dilute the color, how to apply the color to the paper and many other useful painting tips that will make your process easier. During the course I also offer advice on how to work with the paper just as it is, without painting it.

  • Can I sell my work after completing this course?

    Yes, I have no control over this aspect. I would be very grateful if you tag me when posting on social media and acknowledge the contribution of this course. For more details, make sure to read the Terms of Use.

  • I’m not an English speaker, how will I be able to understand your course?

    Each course has documents with procedural steps and “read only” files that you can use for different translating methods.

Let's make the luxurious Royal Cafe au Lait Dahlia together!

This course will teach you enough elements so you can understand this flower and continue to explore it on your own.

Enroll today