i recently did several of these, and i can't figure out how all the pictures i'm seeing of everyone else's turn out so seamless and smooth. when you're working with clays or sculpy, you can just smooth your finger over a seam and it starts to blend in, but i've found that you can't do that with gumpaste or fondant. the wrinkles stay put, the seams can still be seen, and to boot, i can't keep my figures from having flat little heads in the back!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i've tried putting them on foam, i've tried the cornstarch mound, but when i shape their facial features, apparently i'm pushing a little too much.

any suggestions?

thanks so much...i'm sure my figures will appreciate it since the headaches and joint aches will disapear, and they'll be able to wear a hat "oh so much better"!!!

star

Ya know! I was having the same problem the other day! I would like to know too!!

Me too! I just made my first one last night and already have a 'back-up' plan... a 'Kelly' barbie doll!
LOL

Can someone post a tutorial on fondant/gum paste modeling please?

http://extra-icing.blogspot.com/2007_02_01_archive.html

Go here she has a tutorial on making a baby and a free how to make a head. She shows a flower former to put the head in so you don't get the flat spot on the back of the head.

aine2's work is amazing!!! I can't wait til her next tutorial comes out!

I have those flower formers, but i find the back of the heads get styrofoam indents... Usually it's covered by hair, but what to do about bald guys? LOL

I've just noticed this and wish I had seen it earlier! Indents are covered with hair, you're right but for the bald guys I get rid of the indents once the head is in position by dipping my fingers in icing sugar and gently but firmly rubbing around the back of the head.

You don't NEED a former to lay the head on while you work. I just find it really helpful but you can wrap a ball of paste tightly in cling film and then make an indent in it with your knuckle....so there is a wee hollow to rest a round shape to work on. Remember to shake a little icing sugar onto this too preventing "sweating".

On Ace of Cakes Ive seen them stick a sharpened dowel thru the bottom of the head and work with it that way, so it doesnt have to sit on anything

Thanks! Aine2 I can't wait for the next how to ! May 31st right.

I build mine on a piece of florist wire stuck in some styrofoam. It works really well and the wire slides out easily when you are done leaving only a small hole.

what about their arms? can you make that a little less obvious when joining them together at the shoulder?

*bowing down to Lorraine*

I had been letting the pieces harden at least overnight before assembling, but I saw somewhere that you make your figures in 2 hrs - ! Mine always seem to get fat & squatty if they don't dry for a day or two- am I doing something wrong? The clamming guy I just posted had to be remade b/c he got so fat! (You can see I didn't remake his bottom and it's rather large!) And he had a lot more hair than in real life b/c of the indents in the back of his head.

Don't struggle with any of this. Just PM me at any time and I'll help all I can!

I don't make pieces in advance because I want the characters to have movement. Once the shoulder is positioned and glued, the arm can be moved and the fingers on the hands can also be manipulated with a damp paintbrush. I use a sponge (a car wash sponge!) and cut pieces from it to use as supports for areas of the model so that it dries in the correct position.

Although I said that I take 2 to 3 hours to make a character, this was only done for the purposes of a demonstration. I never complete a model all in one sitting.....not the detailed ones anyway. I build the character up to the head stage.....I may add it and leave it overnight to dry. If the figure is in an awkward position, I leave the head off until the body has dried and then add it the next day. I then wait another day before adding the hair IF I am using the sugar shaper to make the hair. The additional weight of the hair causes the head to move and dry in a totally different position to how you wanted it to. In the early days, I would check my models and find that they would be staring up at the ceiling as they gradually tilted further and further backwards with the extra weight piled onto them. You learn from your mistakes and find ways to make things better. The key is PATIENCE! That's all I can say.

I hope this helps you. Don't be afraid to write!

Awww Lorraine, you're the best!! THanks for the help!

thank you!!!

Aine2, have you done a tutorial for CC? I think we need one!