I am new to the cake decorating arena but am excited on my journey. the only thing I am having trouble w/is getting a real red and a real black. When i mix them with white i get pink and grey. My teacher told me to use hot pink w/the red and that would work............NOT. Then mix brown with black? it's more charcoal. If anyone has any helpful hints that would be great!!!!!!!!!



Amy

what brand colors are you using and what shades?

If you are using Wilton gel paste you need a lot. Keep adding, eventually it will be a deep shade. Also it will deepen a bit over time.

I would leave Wilton colors alone. . .that's what I did. Look at some online stores and get SUPER BLACK and SUPER RED. I think mine are Americolor but I'm not sure.

I agree Americolor is AWESOME!!! They work the best, and do not leave the paste taste to your icing, or fondant etc...

If you're using Wilton then you need a lot of color to get red...sometimes it will take a whole little tub to make a batch of red. I have only made small amounts of black but I never have trouble getting black.

Some things color more easily than others. For me, royal icing has vibrant colors and doesn't take a lot of color, but buttercream sometimes needs a lot of color.

Wilton needs A LOT of pigment- remember that this affects the texture/consistency of your fondant or buttercream. I use Sugarflair or Cake Craft colours. For black I always start with a chocolate base (either fondant or buttercream) this just cuts back a bit on the amount of colour I am using.

thanks much. i am using wilton paste but will definitely try other brands and types such as gels!!!!

I use the americolor and get very rich red and black