I want to make a cake replica of a birding guide book as part of my boyfriend's birthday cake. We will be celebrating on March 20 or 21. This is the book I want to replicate, http://www.amazon.com/dp/067945120X/?tag=cakecentral-20
It is called The Sibley Field Guide to Birds of Eastern North America if the above link to Amazon.com doesn't work.
My problem is that I don't think there is any way to freehand that bird image. I thought about using food color "paint" or those food color markers to draw the bird, but I don't think I'm a good enough artist. Does anyone have any suggestions? It seems like a FBCT would make it too difficult to do the fine details. Should I just give up this idea, do you think?

How about an edible image? Do you have a cake supply store near you that could print one out for you, or lots of grocery stores that do the photo cakes will sell you just the image now for a few dollars.

If that won't do, and you can find it where you are, how about tracing it onto rice/wafer paper?

And it's a great picture and idea, don't give it up!

No don't give it up! It is totally doable! A FBCT or a choc transfer would be great!

I thought of an edible image, but I don't think anyone will do it because it is a copyrighted book.

Could you find out what type of bird that is and do a generic search on the net and get another image of that bird that is not cc???

If you try going the Wafer paper route: Those markers can be awefully thick to work with. If you want finer details try mixing tiny amounts of color with piping gel and painting on with a brush. You may have to go over it a few times to get the effect you want, but you can certainly shade better and get more colors than with the markers.