Pointing with food colors

use airbrush colors

I thin mine with a bit of glycerin, and some white coloring to lighten it,  but don't shake it. I put a few drops of each in a pallet, then mix with the brush. If it is still too thick, for what I am doing, I just add water, a drop or two at a time.  But I also don't use Wilton.

Which gives me an idea, the last time I painted I thought it was a shame I had to throw out all that extra color, but emptying out all that thick, nasty Wilton color down the drain, and reusing the containers for paint would be great!

Use piping gel instead of liquor.

I use Wilton gel, their white color and lemon extract. Maybe you're using too much gel? I've never had it clump up, but I use a really small amount. It should be liquid like water, not thick like oil paint. I also bought a 99c plastic paint palette to mix my colors in rather than using empty containers. 

Theres a great free class on Craftsy about painting with food colors btw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dawnybird 

Wow! I'm astonished at your suggestions! Everything I've ever heard was "mix with vodka or extract"! Who knew you could use these other mediums! Annabakescakes, you don't use Wilton colors? What do you use instead? I've use some Americolor, but my cake supply store doesn't carry much of a selection.

I am an Americolor convert, from using Wilton colors. I still have about 50 pots of it, and a box of the small ones that aren't even open! I think there is 12-16 in there? I have had it since before I met my DH, lol! I guess about 8 years... Once I dropped a drop in from a bottle, and didn't have to dig it out of the pot with a tooth pick, I switched. The wilton is just so chunky. It is hard to mix. I didn't replace all my colors at once, since I was on a budget. I just got the most common ones, and then built up from there. I also order directly from DecoPac, and get their line. It just depends on how bad I need it. I get the 6-12 oz bottles though, since they are more cost effective than the little ones, and I use so much of it. I have gotten the little ones in emergencies, but don't stock them.

If your cake shop doesn't carry them, there are some really great places to order them online. Hobby Lobby has them, and I know you can order from them online, and even use free shipping coupons. I have never ordered colors from them, though, so I don't know if they ship them or not.