Do I use my food coloring and just water it down? And are there any tricks so no running occurs. Like let something dry before starting the next color....

Please help asap, I've got to get this cake done.

Thanks!!!!
Heather

Use paste color thinned with vodka or lemon extract (I prefer to use vodka, it's cheaper and leaves no taste behind when it evaporates). It will dry quickly. If you're worried about it running, then don't thin the paste color very much, but a thicker color will take longer to dry.

Thank you. What is paste color. Do I buy it or make it? And can I get it at Micheal's...like a wilton product or from a cake supply place?

This is obviously my first time so thanks for the help.

Paste color is just the little tubs of color they sell in the cake aisle, at Michaels, or even (good news because they're open 24/7) at Walmart. It's made by Wilton.

I've heard you can get better stuff at the cake decorating shops, for example Americolor gel colors, but I've always used Wilton and it works for me.

Hi Texas Rose-

I've noticed when I paint fondant with paste/vodka, the painted areas look shiny and are sticky to the touch. Do you know what I am doing wrong? Is it wrong proportions of paste to vodka?

Thanks!

I just tried the wilton white coloring to make a pastel color to paint with and it was a disaster I used vodka, wilton white and black. Maybe I did something wrong but you live and learn.

I've been told to use powder food colours instead of gel paste in order to avoid "sticky" or "running" problems.
haven't tried yet.

When the cake club met not too long ago, we did a painted cake using lustre dusts and vodka. Worked like a charm!!

bobwonderbuns, did you mix them or paint it and dust w/ lustre dust

Well here's a little trick I learned from some big name in the biz... we put a small 1/4 tsp size (or smaller) scoop of lustre dust on a glass plate then took an eyedropper and added some vodka NEAR the dust, not in it. Then slowly with the brush we mixed and blended the two and painted on like that. You don't want to put the Vodka right into the lustre dust or it will clump and get to be a sticky mess and difficult to work with. Also paint on lightly and wait to dry then go over it again instead of one thick coat.