What's the best way to paint on gumpaste or fondant? I've tried just using food color, but it didn't work. Should I mix it with something? Thanks for any help you can offer!

I normally mix a few drops of clear vanilla extract with the gel food paste. It works well, but only gives you the true color on white backgrounds. For colored backgrounds such as yellows and blues I use the cookie writers wilton makes. Hope this helps.

I use vodka. I put a small amount of vodka in a bowl, and then work it much like I would water colors.

I mix the food color gels with vodka or everclear. It dries completely to the touch and looks great.

That is what I do, too. I dip my brush in vodka and then in the gel coloring....make sure your fondant/gumpaste piece is completely dry first!! Otherwise the moisture in the piece can cause your paint to bead up.

I have tried using the gels with vodka but it never seemed to dry? Then, I used airbrush color which worked really well. I also use the edible pens from Wilton.

The only time I've had a difficult time getting a color to dry was when I was doing black and I wanted really really really good coverage on a cape.