Help With Gum Paste/fondant Figure Modeling!!!

Decorating By ButRCream Updated 5 Jan 2015 , 11:19pm by Emme07

ButRCream Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ButRCream Posted 13 Oct 2010 , 4:21pm
post #1 of 154

When forming figures using fondant and gum paste (mainly gum paste!) how do I keep it from forming cracks and lines? I've tried dabbing vegetable shortening on my hands and smoothing out the figures with some success, but need a better solution! Any help would be appreciated - just don't want imperfections taking away from the look of my figures!

153 replies
jjkarm Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
jjkarm Posted 13 Oct 2010 , 5:34pm
post #2 of 154

I've found that some gum paste recipes work best for flowers and other recipes work better for figures. So you may want to experiment with different recipes.

Also, make sure your gum paste is very well kneaded and soft. Kneading in a little shortening will help make it smooth.

One thing I've found that works well for me is to completely cover what I'm working on with shortening. For example, when I make a head... first I roll the gum paste into a smooth ball, then I completely coat it with shortening before I start forming the head and facial features. This gives me a longer working time and also makes the gum paste easier to shape. This helps both gum paste and gum paste/fondant mixtures. You can continue to coat your piece with more shortening as you work to keep the gum paste from drying and cracking. When you finish, the gum paste will absorb the excess shortening and dry. HTH

ButRCream Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ButRCream Posted 13 Oct 2010 , 6:09pm
post #3 of 154

Thanks so much! I'll definitely give your suggestions a try - they're much appreciated!! icon_smile.gif

FlourPots Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
FlourPots Posted 14 Oct 2010 , 7:03pm
post #4 of 154

I use MMF with tylose mixed in for figures, and I ALWAYS microwave the piece I'm about to work on before-hand, so it dries crack-free.

ButRCream Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
ButRCream Posted 14 Oct 2010 , 7:16pm
post #5 of 154

Thanks FlourPots! Does the tylose do that well at stabilizing the fondant? I have to admit, I have not tried making MMF yet - been relying on Wilton fondant so far. Would you mind sharing your recipe/method for making MMF? Thanks so much for your help!

FlourPots Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
FlourPots Posted 14 Oct 2010 , 9:36pm
post #6 of 154

I think it does...I've tried gumpaste/fondant, but it dried too quickly for my taste.

I posted the modeling recipe in the comment section of my most recent photo upload...the baby items.


(I'll PM you some more info, since it was impossible to fit it all in there)

Jess2206 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Jess2206 Posted 18 Mar 2011 , 4:31pm
post #7 of 154

Flour Pots! Your work is impeccable!!!
I would also Love some tips if you don't mind sharing?? icon_smile.gif

FlourPots Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
FlourPots Posted 18 Mar 2011 , 9:21pm
post #8 of 154

Thank you!!

..and sure, I'll PM you the info.

cuppyc8kes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
cuppyc8kes Posted 21 Mar 2011 , 4:15am
post #9 of 154

Omg! flourpots I just saw your work and you are amazing! I hope to be able to that someday! THanks for the great tips as well!

crp7 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
crp7 Posted 21 Mar 2011 , 4:53am
post #10 of 154

What perfect timing! I just started my first figure using Aine2's tutorial today. Not bad but not good so far either. I have been using gumpaste which is new for me. It seems sticky one minute and dry and cracked the next. I want to try the fondant/tylose mix.

Anyway, when I got on CC tonight here was this post. Flourpots, would you mind sending any helpful tips you have? Your work is beautiful.

TIA

Cindy

FlourPots Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
FlourPots Posted 21 Mar 2011 , 6:06pm
post #11 of 154

Thank you both so much icon_smile.gif



...I'll PM you the tips.

pburgess68 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
pburgess68 Posted 24 Mar 2011 , 3:36pm
post #12 of 154

Me, too!!! Me, too!!! That is some of the best work I've ever seen.

KarenOR Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
KarenOR Posted 24 Mar 2011 , 4:53pm
post #13 of 154
Quote:
Originally Posted by FlourPots

Thank you!!

..and sure, I'll PM you the info.




Can you PM it to me, too??
Your stuff is amazing and I'd love to read what else you have to say about it!
Thanks! icon_biggrin.gif

FlourPots Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
FlourPots Posted 24 Mar 2011 , 5:09pm
post #14 of 154

Thank you so much...really.

If you only knew how unworthy I feel, LOL )


PM's are on the way icon_smile.gif

TonyaBakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
TonyaBakes Posted 24 Mar 2011 , 5:16pm
post #15 of 154

You really are fantastic! Would you please send me the info too? I have been struggling a little with my figures so any help would be greatly appreciated!

FlourPots Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
FlourPots Posted 24 Mar 2011 , 5:21pm
post #16 of 154

Absolutely.

TonyaBakes Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
TonyaBakes Posted 24 Mar 2011 , 5:23pm
post #17 of 154

Thank you so much for helping me with my cake addiction. lol

pburgess68 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
pburgess68 Posted 24 Mar 2011 , 5:23pm
post #18 of 154

Looking forward to the info! Somehow I got myself into making a wedding cake and 2 birthday cakes for the same day...

Moovaughan Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Moovaughan Posted 24 Mar 2011 , 5:46pm
post #19 of 154

I would love to get that emailed to me also.... I notice your posts show it is already 03/25.. are you guys not in the US? Doesn't really matter just am having fun reading all the posts from all overicon_smile.gif I'm not sure how you get my email, if it comes up automatically or if I need to post it on this reply forum?

FlourPots Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
FlourPots Posted 24 Mar 2011 , 5:52pm
post #20 of 154

I'm in the US...

I had that problem with the date being off on posts.
I went into my "profile" and fixed it...sorry I can't recall exactly what I did...it was a long time ago!
I think it was under Time Zone.

I'll PM you the info as well.

pburgess68 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
pburgess68 Posted 25 Mar 2011 , 12:51am
post #21 of 154

Oh I didn't even notice the time/day was messed up! Thanks for bringing it to my attention as well. I am definitely in the US. Small, itty bitty town in SC

got4boyz Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
got4boyz Posted 25 Mar 2011 , 1:36am
post #22 of 154

I would LOVE the info too please! icon_smile.gif!!!

Fantastic work!!

FlourPots Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
FlourPots Posted 25 Mar 2011 , 2:34am
post #23 of 154

Thanks...and sure I'll send it.

Hope you aren't disappointed...it isn't anything ground-breaking, LOL
Just what works for me.

Price Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Price Posted 25 Mar 2011 , 2:37am
post #24 of 154

I agree with FlourPots. I use fondant mixed with Tylose Powder. I use about 1 tsp. of Tylose to 1lb. of fondant. I like to use the Satin Ice Fondant, but have also used the MMF.

It's important to prepare your fondant by throughly kneading it before you start to model with it. I also suggest you make sure to roll your fondant into a completely smooth ball before you begin to shape your figure. Any imperfections in you fondant will only show worse when it dries.

mkbaker Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
mkbaker Posted 27 Mar 2011 , 2:15am
post #25 of 154

I am brand new to all of this and I am so impressed with your work FlourPot. I would love to have your tips as well.

FlourPots Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
FlourPots Posted 27 Mar 2011 , 2:17am
post #26 of 154

Certainly...

Jas80 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
Jas80 Posted 27 Apr 2011 , 2:09pm
post #27 of 154

Hi there!

Could you kindly send some helpful tips to me too? Your work is very inspiring!

lindylu57 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
lindylu57 Posted 27 Apr 2011 , 2:20pm
post #28 of 154

I would also love to have your handy tips\\. Thanks

desserts2 Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
desserts2 Posted 29 Apr 2011 , 2:19pm
post #29 of 154

FlowerPots,
I'm not sure if this is going to be posted twice as the first time my computer went wacky, so forgive me if this is duplicated. I looked at your pictures and can't believe how smooth they are. I've been trying to make figures with gum paste and all I get are cracked and rough looking things. I would greatly appreciate it if you could send me your recipe and any tips because I'm almost to the point of giving up. Thank you very much.

believer Cake Central Cake Decorator Profile
believer Posted 29 Apr 2011 , 7:48pm
post #30 of 154

Please include me!
Thanks!

Quote by @%username% on %date%

%body%