I already asked this in cake ideas but I figured this is probably a better place for my question. I'm looking for an easy way to make a figure since I'm very new to cake decorating but very keen on the idea of making a Shaquille O'Neal (the basketball player) figure.
I am going to make him lying down on his back so that should make it a bit easier. I have never used fondant before but if you can buy it in brown and black then I might use that. If so, could you give me some tips on how to use it?
Also, I was thinking of making him with royal icing so that I can make it ahead of time before I do my cake, but I don't want it to fall apart. I want him to be about 7 inches long or so. Any help is much appreciated.
Making the figure of fondant is a great idea, and you can just leave it there, it won't get bad or anything (I even have one that is from january, too great to through out and my best (cake)friend made it for me). Most of the time to make the fondant a bit more pliable i use a bit of tylose in it (i think in the US this is called Gumtex).
If you want the figure to lie down, you can start with any part you want. Normally i start with the legs and feet, for the legs just roll sausages and cut them and form them a bit with your hands (put knees in it etc, just pinch in and form a bit in the back of the knee), for the shoes just make two drops and add details. For the shorts you can a square of fondant, shape it a bit smaller to the waistline and add the legs (and shoes) to it. For his body you can make another color t-shirt, another square, for the arms sausages again and add them first then put a bit of the same color as the t-shirt (roll it out) on the upper arms. Put a bit of flesh colored (just a small round) for his neck and for his head make a round and add a mouth (the half of a circle cutter can you), nose and eyes (black round with a white round in it or you can paint it), for the hair you can do something with a sugarshaper or garlicpress or just add little pieces of brown on his head.
For painting the eyes I have a link:
http://www.lorraine-icingonthecake.co.uk/masterclass/face-howto.htm
HTH and Good Luck 
Lara
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