Hi all!

Well first off I'd like to say I'm new to the fondant/gum paste/cake/frosting world. But I'm loving every messy, sticky, cake falling apart house smelling like burnt vanilla bit of it! Oh and by the way...where was this site 6 months ago!?!..or where was I???? Oh thats right, paying way too much for an Angry Birds cake. :(

Second, I'm trying to make a snowy owl and I want to "stain" the white fondant a brown/black color but I'm not to sure how or where to begin. And people I've asked look at me like I'm insane. I"m not sure how to decribe it but here is a picture similar to what I'm trying to do, expect instead of the turtle it's a snowy owl and instead of the forehead it'll be his belly and top of head.

Thanks so much to all who try to help me out. Hopefully I'm not a lost cause. :))

The green color was probably gel or paste food coloring added to the fondant. The brown "staining" was painted on with gel or paste food coloring mixed with vodka or lemon juice and brushed on with a paint brush. They also make airbrush colors that you can spray on. HTH

AThat sounds about right. Ok, well thank you. Ill give it a try.

i always use vodka but must try the lemon juice didnt know you could use that and im always tempted by the vodka haha! well just a little tip do it a little at a time you can always add more to it to get darker effect and if you do overdo it  dab it with a little vodka and should come off or at least get a lighter shade again! i did a foootball jersey cake and got black on the lovely baby blue and the vodka trick worked great!

hope this helps xx

Lemon extract...not juice.  Lemon extract has alcohol and lemon juice is just liquid and would gum up your fondant/gumpaste.  I prefer using lemon extract over vodka because it dries faster.   The color of the fondant looks like the Americolor Avocado green.  And to apply the brown gel color I would thin it first in the vodka or extract, then  take a sponge or a crumpled paper towel and smoosh it on.   If there's too much, just take a dry towel or cloth and dab again.  It's like antiquing furniture.  You can add the 'freckles' with a paint brush. 
 

thanks for clearing that up it could of been messy