Ok. I'm new to caking but I've been painting for years. I want to try my hand at handpainted fondant. My biggest problem is the only food safe brushes I've found so far are from Michael's and they are not too far off from the quality of the paintbrushes that come with a kids first watercolor paint set. Not exactly artist quality. I need brushes that have better shapes and substance to them. Anybody have any suggestions? Here is my first try at handpainting fondant and although I'm kinda happy with the results I KNOW I could do way better than this if I just had the proper tools. And while I'm on the subject, so far I've only used color gels and paste by Wilton mixed with clear vanilla for my painting. Any better suggestions? Do they actually make an edible paint for stuff like this?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/horrorxgirl/3332579948/

Country kitchen sweetArt actually has food safe brushes I believe. Check it out if it works.

I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions, I have to say that your painting is excellent!! So I'm giving you a bump cause I've actually wanted to know about this as well.

bump

MY suggestion isn't good enough? If its not then I don't know what you are looking for.

I did see two brushes they sell on that website. Still haven't gotten an answer about the paint question so I bumped.

Oh okay then. Thats the same thought I was thinking about the paint question. They sent me a catalog that says it's used for candy or something....I'm just not too sure.

Other than that, hope you find the brush. You are very skilled in painting.

I thought fondant painting was done with gel colors or airbrush colors. If using Gel colors use straight from the bottle/container or mix with vodka/extract to get the consistency you need. I could be wrong.

As for the brushes, why couldn't you use any natural bristle artist brushes? Wash them with dish soap or non toxic soaps. Wouldn't that work?

As for the nautral bristle artist brush, I believe she prefers to have something that is actually meant for food (which I would prefer too). Because you will never know if there are any toxic chemicals used to attach the bristles. I don't think it could kill anyone but people like me personally prefer something that is food safe.

I use nylon bristle brushes and don't worry about it.

There are many things we use that aren't labeled "food safe" - the paint rollers used in Melvira's roller technique, the spackle/putty knives used for icing cakes smooth, etc. Many people put their cakes on wooden or melomine cake boards which aren't labeled as "food safe".

I'm more concerned with keeping my kitchen "food safe" (clean) and keeping my hair out of my cakes (it seems to get everywhere)! LOL!

I agree with OhMyGanache, love that name. I use sable paint brushes, new of course. I don't see how the glue used to fasten the hairs onto the brush, which is covered well with metal, could get into the food color. Wash it with soap and rinse it well in water and then sterelize vodka if you have any doubt of it's cleanliness.