I was wondering how (with what) I would go about 'painting' gumpaste/fondant instead of or in addition to rolling in color. It's sometimes hard to know how much fondant a figure or part of a figure needs so I end up with a ton of little leftovers of different colors. Plus it's a pain to roll in the gel colors sometimes. It would seem, in some cases, to be easier to shape all the characters/flowers/geometric pieces at one time in white and get that all done. Then go back and paint the pieces you want in color. Am I not thinking correctly? Is it just as nice to paint them or would it be better to use colored fondant?

If I do paint them, what should I use? I know I can use a clear vanilla or some time of alcohol with a gel color, but I think I've seen a powder color???? Help!

-michele

For smaller pieces, I much prefer to paint fondant and/or gumpaste. It also gives it a deeper color and you don't waste as much color. Kneading the color in is not only tedious, it's painful for me, as I have bad wrists. (I plan to invest in an airbrush soon). I just use a bit of gel color and vodka and find that does that trick. I've never tried powdered colors.

Maybe there are advantages to kneading in the color, but I haven't discovered them yet.

Though, I'm sure there are decorators out there that feel differently.

Thanks! I tried painting on color mixed with vanilla and I get a lot streaking and not a solid tone. Am I doing something wrong? Help!

Vodka evaporates better and so does lemon extract. I'm not sure about vanilla. But you have to do 'coats' so it seems streaky at first, but go over it a couple of times. I've also added corn syrup in the past and found that it makes a nice paint. But it still remains a bit tacky for a longer drying period. good luck!

Bumping an old thread. I have a cake that includes  a 10" black tier. I really want to need my white into black would it be crazy to paint an entire tier? Have I mentioned I hate kneading? 

Black an purple seem to be the toughest colors to get exact. You can wind up using bottle after bottle to get the right black. Personally I buy black fondant. Manufacturers do it in large lots so color is precise. Renshaw puts out beautiful colors an a beautiful easy to work with fondant..the only kind I use for taste an texture.

Oh I will next time I have an order but it wasn't financially sound to order it this time.