I've got a fish sculpted out of fondant and gumpaste but I don't know how to color it. It is just a white fish right now. Actually, it's only half a fish - the tail end. I couldn't figure out how to create a fish head and gills that would look realistic!

So, do I use powdered colors just brushed on the fondant or can I just use my color pastes mixed with vanilla extract (that is all I have)?

It is supposed to be a Bass so I'm shooting for greens, browns and a little black for the color and some ivory for the underbelly. So, as for the actual application of the color to the fondant fish, will I use varying shades of one color or if I use all different colors, what color should I start with? Which color should be the base color - 'cause I don't want the black to look blotchy on top of the green and I don't know if green will show up on top of the black...too many things to figure out!!

HELP!!!

I would start with the lighter colors first. It will be harder to get color into the deep parts of the scales, so a small brush might be helpful. On the other hand you may like the look of color on the edges of the scales.

I would not use a liquid color except for some accents.

You might use the lighter colors on the belly of the fish, and some darker color on the back.

Just my suggestion. good luck

I have 30 mini-fishes (1 1/2") to paint this weekend.

I painted one of them last night and it wasn't easy getting the shading from dark to light. Maybe it's because they were so small.

But I concur with what JoAnnB said. Start with the light colors first. I used matte petal dusts for the base coat (since I have a wider range of colors in the petal dusts) and then when it was dry I went over different areas with a dry brush and different colors of luster dusts to give it a shine.

http://www.geocities.com/rayzone_99/fishing_graphics/bass/bass10b.gif



http://www.dnrec.state.de.us/fw/fishpics/smallmouth%20bass.jpg


Here are some photos maybe that will help.......I would definitely start with the lighter colors and then slowly build up the darker ones as you go towards the spine of the fish!

Well, I didn't know anyone had replied to this...just happened to see it pop up on the home page. I hate when I don't get all the topic reply notices by email!!

Anyway, rant over...thanks for the advice. I actually ended up just winging it lastnight on my own. I used gel paste colors in ivory and juniper green mixed with vanilla extract. I wish I had read earlier about the color not getting into the scale indentions as that really shows up in the pictures I took but I can touch that up tonight I suppose (if I feel like it)!!

Here are the before and after shots of the fish. Now remember, this is my first time ever sculpting and painting with fondant. I've used fondant cutouts and strips but couldn't even make a butterfly out of fondant and gave up! So here is my version of a fish that just sort of came together from a wad of aluminum foil covered in fondant and my version of fins.

Looks totally AWESOME.......wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Your sculpting is awesome! Were you looking at anything when you sculpted it? I think your colors/paint job turned out great too!!!
You should continue to try other things in sculpting! I think you have the knack for it!!
Great job!!
elly

Wow! That looks fantastic!

I know you used gels and I'm using dusts, but they're both liquid when applied. Do you have any tips for blending between the dark and the light? Did you use a small brush and diluted color?

Thanks everyone! This project definately has me leaning toward taking some basic painting and sculpting classes.

As for looking at something while I made the fish shape, I only had some ideas to go on that were in my head from a few pictures I had seen that were not what I wanted. I just kinda pulled it together from what I had in mind and from many years of fishing with my gramma and parents when I was younger.

snowboarder, I only used two colors. I used the ivory - a fairly small amount thinned down a great deal with the extract. I used a small paint brush that came from one of my Wilton class kits. I did the belly first and only went up just a tad up the side (should have gone up a bit more).

I then used very thinned out juniper green (dabbing my brush on paper towel to remove excess liquid) to give it the light tint - not giving it a complete coat - just kinda dabbing around.

Then I just added a bit more juniper green paste to the mixture without adding any more vanilla so it would be thicker. I then dabbed the pattern of the diamonds in a line formation and then worked my way away from the center of each diamond without dipping my brush again.

I just streaked the dark juniper green here and there on the fins until I felt it was enough. I did the edges of the fins as well because if you've ever noticed with a real fish, the outer tip of the fins are darker. Like I said, it just sorta came together. I can only tell you what I did - it may not be proper technique, but I got the look I was imagining!