Hi! I'm hoping someone can help clarify when to use what when scupting figures for cakes and cupcakes... What is the difference between pastillage, gumpaste, fondant and modeling chocolate? When is best for each one? I need to make 3-D characters (people) and see many people use modeling chocolate. Why not gumpaste? Does one dry faster than another? When would I use each?

Fondant is used as covering. Gum paste is used to make flowers since it can be rolled thinner without tearing and it dries faster. fondant doesn't dry as hard as gum paste. you can also mix fondant and gum paste for modeling decorations.
modeling chocolate is a paste made of chocolate and corn syrup or glucose. can be used to make decorations , flowers, ribbons...

I've never used modeling chocolate for making 3D figures. I use either gumpaste or a 50/50 gumpaste/fondant mix. I like the mix, because it gives me a little more time to make adjustments. Gumpaste hardens quicker but sometimes causes cracking in my figures.

I've never created little 3-D figures. I'm going to try doing one with a mix of gumpaste and fondant and one out of modeling chocolate and see what happens!

Good luck and have fun doing it. I'm not a professional at making them, but I've made enough to have learned a little each time and have improved my people making skills with each cake. I'm about to start making little marching band people today and I'm really looking forward to getting started! Have fun!!

how do you make a 50/50 fondant/gum paste mixture anyway? do you make them sepearately and then kneed them together? or do you combine the recipes somehow?

If you have gumpaste and fondant already made, just knead them together. In order to make gumpaste, you need tylose powder. If you have tylose, instead of making both, just add the tylose to already made fondant. Many suggest 1 - 2 tsp per pound of fondant, but I only add 1/2 - 1 tsp to my fondant. Knead it well. It works better for me.

Most of the time, I will actually add Wilton gumpaste to my own fondant. it's easy and quick. Since no one intends to eat my figures, it's fine. Most people don't eat gumpaste anyway.

AI've used modeling paste and some gum Trag mixed with fondant and both:) turned out great but what is the diff with flower paste? Haven't gotten into the flower modeling yet but will be doing a course soon hopefully. Is there a diff between modeling and flower paste?? Loving all the useful tips on this site. It has been such a huge help on my new venture

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narsil:   rolling thinner without tearing.

ASo flower paste and gum paste are one of the same then?

I've tried all 3 for modeling because I wondered the same thing.......

fondant is too soft for modeling - it tends to sag. I almost always use fondant mixed with gumpaste - 50/50 or fondant with tylose powder - it's what I use most of the time because I don't always have gumpaste and tylose powder is less expensive

gumpaste dries too fast by itself- it will crack

modeling chocolate is best if you want lots of small details - like a very detailed face with good features - I tried this the last time I made a figure and I mixed the modeling chocolate with some gumpaste - something like 80/20 gumpaste being the 20% but you have to be careful about handling because the heat from your hands will make it sticky and start to melt - but it was wonderful for getting good features in the face

ashleyjoyk:  You do a great job with the modeling! your photos are nice.

very helpful information to share with the rest of us. Thanks.

MBalaska Thank You! You are very welcome :)

AThanks a bunch for all the helpful tips. As I said I've a course next month so hopefully a lot of tips and answers will be coming my way!