Newbie In Need Of Advise For Black Gumpaste
Decorating By Elisa1965 Updated 28 Sep 2007 , 8:04pm by Elisa1965
Hi everyone...I must be an addict! I have spent every spare minute over the past month exploring this site and enjoying every minute of it! I am very impressed with the kindness and generosity of the members in c.c. and am hoping someone can share some advise about how to achieve black gum paste out of the Wilton's Ready-To-Use gum paste. I am attempting to make that beautiful shoe shown on this site, but would like to add some black accents. Any advise would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance. 
Welcome to cake central.
It helps that you only need a small amount. If you use a 'superblack' gel, you will also need to add some powdered sugar and/or cornstarch to compensate for the moisture. If you have powdered color, a couple drops of water and shortening will keep it moist. Once you have kneaded in the color, let it set several hours or overnight so the color can blend and darken.
Wear gloves.
Ditto to the previous poster.. black food coloring will turn your hands a putrid shade of greenish blackish reddish that will fade to a nice magenta with black nail beds.. 
I should have taken a pic of my hands last time I made black fondant.. 
If it is just small accents you might want to paint the pieces black rather than try and mix it. The color will be stronger. If you do decide to mix it, I always start off by mixing small amounts in a greased ziplock baggie first, that way my hands stay flesh-toned for longer!
Diane
Thank you both so much for such quick responses. This is too much fun. I think I'll give them both a try and see what happens. Don't mean to sound so uneducated but, when I paint should I use vodka or water with the gel?
I'll take the advise on the gloves, although it is finally Friday and magenta hands might be a nice compliment with a glass of cabernet.
Applause to you all. I pulled up your cake photos and I am in awe and amazement. You're beyond talented....Amazing...simply amazing.
Elisa
If you paint it it will have a shine to it. Not that that's a bad thing.. just something to think about. I use vodka since it will dry quicker.
Quote by @%username% on %date%
%body%