Ombre Effect On Flat, One-Piece Fondant

Decorating By kuticakesncookies Updated 6 Mar 2014 , 8:05pm by niagaracakery

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kuticakesncookies Posted 12 Jan 2013 , 7:05pm
post #1 of 13

I am tasked with getting an ombre effect on the fondant that covers the cake, not as ruffles or other "layers" that I could easily get that effect with, but on the flat fondant that covers the cake as one piece.  I hope I'm explaining this properly.  I'm thinking the only way I could do it would be with a spray gun, but I'd love to do it where it's incorporated right into the fondant instead if I could.  As there are more than one cake tiers, they all have to match.  Does anyone know of another way to do this other than using a spray gun?  Thank you in advance!

12 replies
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-K8memphis Posted 12 Jan 2013 , 7:12pm
post #2 of 13

you could dust it into ombre-ness

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lilmissbakesalot Posted 12 Jan 2013 , 7:18pm
post #3 of 13

Or paint it...

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-K8memphis Posted 12 Jan 2013 , 7:21pm
post #4 of 13

i should explain that huh

 

so brush the whole cake with whatever color

 

leaving a portion of that first dusting untouched

 

then  for the second go 'round--at the certain point you choose

 

dust it again all the way down to make a bit darker layer

 

repeat and on & on maybe even adding in a darker color at the end

 

to get the darkest color to blend well overal you can mix your dust colors in the first place of course so there's a little bit of everything in there then you get darker & darker with the layering and you can use the solid dark color at the end and it all blends

 

if that's understandable icon_biggrin.gif

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kuticakesncookies Posted 12 Jan 2013 , 7:27pm
post #5 of 13

Thank you so much!  That's definitely the way to go!

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lilmissbakesalot Posted 12 Jan 2013 , 7:30pm
post #6 of 13

It's almost easier to start with the dark and dilute as you go up.  Noting worse than starting and having it be too dark to really hombre it. 

 

If you paint it, start with very diluted color and pain the entire section that will be colored.  Let it dry a bit and go around again leaving a band of lighter color at the top and repeat until you have the desired effect.  It looks nice painted... watercolor-esque.  Use a wider paint brush like you would use to gesso a canvas and something thinner as you get to the darker area.  A 1 - 1.5" brush would be good. 

 

If you dust it make sure to use a nice big poofy brush so you don't have a lot of brush lines or darker areas.  Think a big powdered foundation brush.  Start at the bottom and lighten as you go up.

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kuticakesncookies Posted 12 Jan 2013 , 9:17pm
post #7 of 13

Thanks to everyone for the great suggestions!

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Dayti Posted 12 Jan 2013 , 9:18pm
post #8 of 13

Yes, I would paint it on too, with a wide brush like lilmissbakesalot says. However, I must be one of the few people in the world who likes the ombre effect dark at the top and lighter at the bottom icon_smile.gif.
 

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kuticakesncookies Posted 13 Jan 2013 , 7:13am
post #9 of 13

Thanks, I'll be experimenting before I do it.

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wreckorator Posted 20 Mar 2013 , 8:44pm
post #10 of 13

Research the "Skinner Method." This mixing method was developed for plastic clay, but works well for fondant too.

See example of true ombre on a cake here: http://j-a-m-n.tumblr.com/post/33174657078/ombre-fondant-tres-leches-cake-with-swiss

Sorry for the bad photo.

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niagaracakery Posted 4 Mar 2014 , 2:11am
post #11 of 13

Sorry to dredge up an old thread -- what dust would you suggest using to create an ombre? Lustre dust or powdered food colouring? Also, would you dry dust it on? TIA! :)

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NomNomCake Bomb Posted 4 Mar 2014 , 10:08am
post #12 of 13

Personally I wouldn't dust it on, i'd paint it on. Dust would be harder to gradient shade... but if you so desired you would go with a luster or petal like dust. Fine, not shimmering flakes. 

 

I think many people are scared of 'painting' on fondants/gum pastes... but should really just test it out, it's much more simple than our feelings and thoughts make it out to be. If your nervous, roll out sheets of fondant or gumpaste and practice, simple as that! 

 

Airbrushing is the ideal way to get the smoothest ombre effect, but if you don't have an airbrushing set then a brush paint job will do the job fine. 

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niagaracakery Posted 6 Mar 2014 , 8:05pm
post #13 of 13

Thanks so much! I am going to give painting a try! :)

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