What kind of paint (paste, liquid, luster powder, etc) would you recommend if I want to paint directly onto a cake covered in fondant? Also, can I paint immediately after covering the cake or do I need wait a period of time.

The type of paint I am most familiar with is the paste kind.

I mix gel coloring with lemon extract or vodka to make paint. I have painted a cake right after I covered it with fondant, and I didn't have a problem.

Yeah it is fine to do immediately after covering. If you don't have lemon or vodka then you can use clear vanilla. Just mix it thin enough to paint.

what is gel coloring?

http://search.wilton.com/?q=gel+colouring

Gel colouring, is a type of food colouring, you can get food colouring in 4 main types, Liquid Colouring, Powder Colouring, Paste Colouring and Gel Colouring, each different type of food colouring works better for different things, such as powder colouring to colour modelling chocolate or melted chocolate, paste for fondant etc.

I use airbrush colours to paint over fondant with a food safe sponge. They do a great job!

I just covered cakes in homemade marshmallow fondant ( but Satin Ice, Fondx, etc work too) and hand painted designs with a paint brush using Americolors right on the fondant. No need to add anything else to it.

KimAZ

yep, I just use gel icing tint. To get the right color I just mixed in with a bit of water (a tiny bit of the gel goes a LONG way with just a drop or two of water!). I might try the vodka or vanilla tip next time!

I like airbrush colors myself. They are already thinned down and dry really well.

I'll usually let the fondant set a bit, but you could start painting right away.