What do you use? - Page 2

I use fondant and tylose as well.  To avoid cracks in your fondant make sure you have kneaded it really really well, it should be a stretchy consistency.  Then ball it up and squish it in your hands to get rid of any cracks, then slowly ball it up again and make sure you don't have any cracks.  If you do, squish again and roll again until you have no cracks.  HTH
 

You could buy the faces tutorial from Lorraine McKay at Extra Icing: http://www.extraicing.co.uk/#/shop/4566719687/Heads-Hands-and-Feet-tutorial/2775131 which I found very helpful, and also check out her free youtube videos - her username is Aine2 (or go via her website), and she is a member here on CC with the same name ;)

I make models from fondant mixed with CMC/Tylose powder - 250g fondant, 1/2 tsp CMC, which is Lorraine McKay's recommendation. It can be used immediately but I find it better to make it at least the day before and keep well wrapped and in a tupperware box at room temp until you want to use it.
 

And don't give in! It takes alot of trial and error and practice to be happy with the figures you make!

Just a wee thought, Chris, but you could always try practising modelling using some playdough.  It's not quite the same consistency, but it's cheaper (if you make your own).  That should help you get a hang of the right shapes and proportions of figures.
 

Not to hijack this thread, but icer101, could you tell me how you make your pastillage? The consistency of the stuff I'm using will barely let me roll it out and cut it. Modeling with it seems to be an impossibility. I actually like working with it quite a lot, and would love to be able to do more things with it, if only it had a little more give. I have to say I'm very excited, because I'm moving into a new house in a couple of months that is totally air-conditioned - even the kitchen (a rarity here in Cancún), so I might have less trouble making figures with fondant and gumpaste. Getting them to last through a typical outdoor event or one at an un-airconditioned venue is another thing, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris449842 

Well this morning it tried to make a figure and i cannot do the faced, was following a tutorial on you tube and i just cant get it :( so tried a shaggy bear, its made but................. lol not good at all. Will need to try and practice but the fondant keeps cracking :( really want to learn figures but i can get the nose and eyes right lol.xx

I'm in Ireland and I've had that same probllem before I find that rubbing some veg fat ( it has to be white) it helps alot of the times, if you are working on the same bit of fondant for quite a while the heat from your fingers can dry it out and crack it but the veg fat keeps it moist.

Chris , have you thought of using a face mould? , I use them and then I manipulate and accentuate them . To open up the nose I use a toothpick , I always add eyelids.I use one of those drinking straws with the spoon end to open the mouth slightly. Then I gently change the shape of the face with my fingers until I get it the way I want it. For example, making the chin longer or rounder, pinching up the cheeks, to accentuate cheekbones.  

It is really important to get all the cracks out before you form the head .As someone else said , knead it well , I just take a small ball of fondant and dip it in a little tylose this firms it up and makes it easier to work with , it is not necessarily about the drying but getting a good consistency to work with.  I roll the ball of fondant firmly between my palms to eliminate the cracks , so I have a smooth ball of paste to work with.  When using a mould , cornflower the piece of paste not the mould as you lose details . 

I hope this helps . 

Chelle 

Most of the stuff we get here in Oz we bring in from either the UK or South Africa .   Squires should have face moulds. My favourite ones are actually ones used for modelling Fimo clay.   The other thing I have done is make my own from a plastic doll or china figurine , using Silicone Plastique.   If you can't source that a quick fix for a mould is to use fondant , impress the thing that you want to mould into it and then pop it into the freezer for a couple of hours , You have to work quickly when you take it out to use it but it is a cheap altenative to practice with. 

Some are full moulds , some just faces . I actually just use the face part myself , I fashion a kinda head shaped ball with a bit of a neck and push it into the mould . Mostly I cover the back with hair and I find this way I don't have to work so hard to remove the mould line that forms where the two halves meet.