AHi, I want to make a fondant hummingbird, what tools or techniques should I use to make the wings look like real feathers? I don't have a bird mold now and probably don't have time to order one online. Thanks so much! :D

Bump Anyone? ;)

I would use my metal sculpting tools - choose a triangular tip and "press" feather's base or - if I had a V gouge tool, I'd be pressing the feather's tip.

Then, hand paint to enhance the feather texture.

It's important to study a good reference photo and follow the feather's "flow" or the bird won't look *quite right*.

Humming bird bodies are probably more about the texture than looking like feathers, and even the wings aren't terribly feathery looking.  Having said that, do you have access to wafer paper?  It might make really good hummingbird wings.  I know this isn't the best answer, but I wanted to try to help with your dilemma.

 

AThanks so much, no, I don't have wafer paper and I'd probably have to order it online since I've never seen it in a store. I love the picture, I've been staring at hummingbird pics for days! Lol I'll wing it (no pun intended) and if it's not up to my liking, .....on to plan b! :-)

Any suggestions on getting the texture, they look almost 'bumpy' rather than feathery. Should I paint with gel colors or vodka and dust? Thanks :-)

ATexture: a small round icing tip, used on a slant, indenting little half moon shapes. Wings: made separately, with a 50 50 mix to give you time to work, and attached with toothpicks maybe, with a real soft fondant or fondant slurry smoothed down so you don't see the attachment points.

AI would paint with airbrush colors, and dust over when it's dry for shimmer in the appropriate areas.

AHere's a hummingbird I did last week I used a 50/50 gum paste fondant mixed. I cut the wings from a tear drop shaped cutter, cut it in half. Then I feathered the wings using my gum paste tools & the back of an exacto knife. [IMG ALT=""]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3227543/width/350/height/700[/IMG]

I didn't put a lot of detail in it (trying to keep in customers budget) but it really didn't take long. I found a how to draw a hummingbird photo on Google that simplified the shapes and used that as my guide. Hope this helps

A

This has nothing to do with the thread, but have you tried the Wilton 366 tip for leaves? It makes a nice sharp tip on the ends of leaves. Pretty cake! :-D

ANo I haven't, thanks for suggesting it.:smile:

A

This picture shows the angle how you hold it. You don't have to make the leaves that fat. I hope you didn't mind.. I was just so happy when someone told me about it, so I figured most people would appreciate it ,too. :-D

[IMG ALT=""]http://cakecentral.com/content/type/61/id/3227620/width/350/height/700[/IMG]

ADon't mind at all! I'm self taught and my piping "skills" always could stand some improvement lol! Thank you very much for the suggestions:-)

AGosh, thanks so much, very helpful everyone! I'm totally procrastinating doing this bird. I'm such a newbie and I expect so much from myself. I'll try though! Not guaranteeing anything! :-) Unfortunately, no air brush here. :( Thx. :-)

AYou can do it!!!

AThanks so much for the encouragement! Most days in looking at the cakes here on CC I'm not sure if I'm inspired or discouraged. :-) What are 'chalks' do you mean chalkboard chalk? Sorry, this question may be really dumb. :) Thanks! :-)

I have used edible chalk before and it works well on fondant:

 

http://www.abesmarket.com/edible-veggie-sidewalk-chalk-the-original.html?utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=5016&utm_source=google&mr:trackingCode=8AB9BB9F-7BF5-E211-B773-BC305BF933C0&mr:referralID=NA&mr:device=c&mr:adType=pla&mr:ad=36364712125&mr:keyword=&mr:match=&mr:filter=18283950120&gclid=CNbZrfSahr4CFUQF7Aod-BcAZg

Here is a link for a fab Dove tutorial - maybe use the just the wing part if it's not a dove you are making. I recently made the exact cake featured in the clip - She was  a sweetheart with instructions too.

 

You can do it! Don't get discouraged everyone needs to start somewhere. That's the great thing about any art form - your interpretation won't be the same as mine or anyone else's- its totally unique to YOU. Just try it'll be great!

I used non-toxic scrapbooking chalks....I found them at a local craft store.

AYep, great minds think alike! I saw that video too! Chalk is an interesting idea, I've never tried that, I'll look into it. Thanks so much for the ideas and encouragement! :grin:

Well, I tried it and it wasn't nearly as hard as I thought it would be!  My MIL was happy and that's what's most important. :)

Your hummingbird is adorable!

It's gorgeous , well done you!

No...it's not a dumb question :) and no it's not chalkboard chalks. It is actually petal dusts (or edible dust colors) that come in the form of crayons (chalks). You use a sharp object (like a razor blade) to scrape off the amount of color you need. You can also buy the petal dusts already in powder form in little containers.

 

Some of the brands available are:

Rainbow dust: http://www.rainbowdust.co.uk/t/our-products

Squires Kitchen (SK): http://www.squires-shop.com/uk/product/sk-professional-dust-food-colour-kit

Sugarflair: http://www.cakedecoratingstore.co.uk/**********-blossom-tint.html

 

These are just a few. There are many more. Good luck with your hummingbird!

Oops! Just saw that there was another page to this thread....I guess you now know what 'chalks' are :) And you really have done a lovely job with the hummingbird!

AThanks! And no problem, you gave me some information I didn't know about the dusts. I did use petal dusts on the bird. I just didn't know they came in a solid form too. :-)

AGreat job! Your hummingbird is adorable