Im planning on doing a Rapunzel themed cake similar to this one and was wondering whether or not the cake in this picture is airbrushed? If it indeed is airbrushed-would a beige colored fondant be best to airbrush the purple/blue color onto it? Also what product would be best to hand paint the lanterns? This would be my first time doing airbrush on a cake so any tips would be greatly appreciated! 
It does look airbrushed to me. You said this would be your first time airbrushing. If you don't already have an airbrush, Wilton makes spray cans of edible colors that would work just fine. To do the lanterns, I would mask off the little squares prior to spraying so there is a light base for painting and I would use petal dusts mixed with alcohol to paint them. A beige base would be a good starting place.
the tiers themselves probably are airbrushed - but done very well :) It take some knowledge to get it that perfect and being your 1st time I"m not sure it will turn out so well for you especially graduating the color from black to navy to purple - getting the shading so smooth (for lack of a better word). I'm remembering the problmes I had learning to airbrush. Most of the time I was much too close and the color beaded up &/or streaked down etc.
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