My good friend wants me to make a cake for her son's first birthday.  She wants to do "Guess How Much I Love You."  Well, I did this as an example to just work on hand painting figures.  It is made of gumpaste.  The poor bunny's ears broke off after it dried.  I have a few questions.  Is there something I can do to avoid this or make it stronger?  Should I use fondant instead of gumpaste?  Also, should I make these figures ahead of time to let them sit up and get hard?  I would like to to put them around the cake itself or would it be best to let them stand up against the cake somehow?  It will be a buttercream cake.  Anyway, I appreciate the help! :)  Thanks!!

Don't use fondant.  Try rolling your gumpaste just a bit thicker.  After a day or two flip it over and let the other side dry.

AYou could also try Pastillage, which is used for rigid flat figurines, it takes a long time to dry though in humid/cold climate, so leave it to dry for at least a whole week before handling to paint.

What kind of "gumpaste" are you using? If you're using fondant with some tylose or gumtex in it that's not really  gumpaste, and it won't dry as hard. If you use a real gumpaste or pastillage and roll it relatively thick (not 1/8") then it should dry pretty fast.

AI am using Wilton brand gumpaste. I will try pastilltry. I have never worked with it, but have at least heard about it. The homemade recipe looks easy enough. Loving the help, if you have more advice keep it coming please! :D

ABy the way, lovely painting!!

AAwe, thank you!