I need to paint on fondant for an upcoming, Very Important 4th birthday. I don't have access to cocoa butter. Is there a substitute? What would be the best alternative? Can one use paste colours or are the powdered colours the best?

Thanks. I just joined the site - fabulous.

Hi welcome to CC!

Sure you can paint on fondant with paste colours, i use them to paint stuff all the time. What I do is dilute the paste colours a tiny bit with vodka to make them more sort of a paint and it dries completely with a matt finish but you only need a tiny bit of vodka because it can become very watercoloury otherwise unless that is what you want.

I have painted a picture on gumpaste with paste colours which you can look at in my photo gallery if you like to see what it can look like.

Also if you don't want to use vodka you can use vanilla extract or lemon juice.

Oh and i have heard that powdered colours are really good too, and you might get a stronger colour with them

HTH

Thanks so much for the info Elise87! I love to hear great tips before I'm panicky with an order that I'm trying to finish Your work is beautiful!

I use americolor gel colors straight out of the bottle to paint on fondant and royal icing all the time. here are a few examples so you can see how they paint

Hey jen-E,
I use liquid airbrush colors to paint with. It already thined out and looks like water color. If you are wanting something more bright and full bodied KHalstead is right Americolor will give you a good full bodied color.
Goodluck,
Mrcake01

I love the one stroke painting technique, I could never quite get it though I'm more of a water color girl and my style is more loose, but I love it none the less and I've never seen it on a cake, great job!

My problem is finding good paint brushes. Have bought several kinds. Can't find any that have a fine point. Also have some that want to loose the bristles. Where do you get your paint brushes?....not trying to steal the thread.

alene,
Don't know what kind of brushes you use but i use artist brushes that i found in the painting section of a hobby store like for oil painting. The really good ones.
Thanks,
Mrcake01

Hey Elise87, you know I adore you paintings on cake, I was just wondering if you meant lemon extract to dilute the color or can you use lemon juice as well?

aw thanks juststarted!

Ummmm well i think people have used both. Some people have said lemon juice but a few people on another thread i read said that they used the lemon extract too so maybe that is the one to go for. I wasn't 100% sure cose all i use is the vodka, I buy just a cute little miniature bottle of it from my liquor store lol

Oh forgot to add that when using the lemon ones someone said it leaves a little bit of lemon taste after it's dried

if and when i paint on cakes or cookies.. some cookies in my pics.. i use the one stroke method by donna dewberry.. i use americolor gels, etc.. mixed with the white.. it is fun..

I use absolute vodka and gel colors. Thanks for the tip on paint brushes. I have trouble with the bristles falling out. Also I was wondering what the one stroke method?