36 Replies

Welcome to CakesDecor. I’m sorry, I don’t know the answer, but I’m sure that someone from our members will be able to help you with this ;)

Thank you for replying @Michal, hopefully someone may be able to help me 😊.

what kind of modeling paste do you use? Do you keep it covered completely when not working on it?

I keep mine in a Ziploc and just take out a small piece at a time to work on (so the face, then the arms etc.)

But I find it depends on the brand as well (or is it a recipe?). The one I have purchased often is the Satin Ice gumpaste. I find it easy to work with but it does not dry quickly enough. So I purchased some tylose powder, either use a little added to the satin ice or a good bit added to home made marshmallow fondant.

There are also tons of recipes out there. I’ve been told the Nicholas lodge recipe is great but I haven’t gotten around to trying it out yet! I may try it for my next cake.

https://sugargeekshow.com/recipe/nicholas-lodge-gumpaste-recipe/

Hi Coffelover,
I’ve been using renshaws modelling paste. I’ve not tried making my own, but I’ll give it a shot.

I’ll start putting it in ziplock bags thank you. Thank you for the link I will deffo look now, and thank you for taking the time to reply to me 😊.

Hi Shaz

ok so it looks like the Renshaw is the UK modeling paste.. I did a search and it seems Nicholas Lodge says this is like his recipe, but available commercially .. so I’m sure it should be good and not crack!

Maybe if you try the Ziploc bag or plastic wrap to keep the air off it and also you could grease your hands with a small bit of shortening to see if that would help!

I’ve had good success with satin ice being smooth/not cracked but like I said it is too soft and takes too long to dry! so then I get drooping issues. Maybe I will buy some of the renshaws to see if I like it! Although since I’m in the US it may be harder to find.

Good luck with your modeling!

Your modeling paste/gumpaste should be smooth, supple and have some elasticity and stretch. You should be able to pull your gumpaste and it stretches a bit before it breaks. If it doesn’t, you should knead in a bit of shortening/trex. And a little bit of glycerin too, if you have it.

Hi Shaz and welcome. I actually use the Wilton fondant mixed with tylose powder for my modeling. It does not crack and gives me plenty of time to work with it. I put 1tsp of tylose to 1 lb of fondant. Good luck with your baby.

Hello Shaz, and welcome. I, too, find gum paste / modeling paste too dry for making figures. Either it drys too fast or I am too slow and I suspect the later to be the case. You could use fondant with a small amount of Tylose powder added. It will take a lot longer to dry, but it will also give you more working time. Personally, I always use modeling chocolate, but it takes some practice.

June Thank you for that advice. Sounds great and I will try adding some Trex for sure . I will let you know how I get on when I start tomorrow 🙂.

Jennifer I will also try the Wilton fondant and mix with the tylose powder for sure, great getting fees back from you all 😊. Thank you once again .

Sandra Thank you for also taking the time to reply and advise me, you and Jennifer have the same advice and I for sure will try it. Thank you again 😊.

Let us know you make out Shaz. And post your creation..😉

I have only just seen this post so sorry for the late reply. I just wanted to point out that gum paste is not the same as modelling paste. Modelling paste stays pliable much longer, Carlos Lischetti, the top as far as I am concerned, has his own sugar modelling paste available from Squires Kitchen which is specifically for figures etc.

Hi June I’ve made the baby, and she hasn’t turned out too bad. As I’ve said I’ve only just started sugarpasting and baking 😊. I’ll post a pic. The hands didn’t come out great . Thank you for all your advice .

Hi Pamela. Thank you for replying. I’m using the Renshaw modelling paste 🙂

As you can prob see there are some cracks… will try and add some glycerin next time.

She is beautiful, Shaz! You can also add a little bit of shortening (Trex or Crisco) to help keep your medium soft. Personally, I hate making figures from fondant or gum paste – modeling paste, whatever. I use modeling chocolate all the time.

Thank you Sandra. Not bad for my first attempt 😊. I’ve not used modelling chocolate yet, I’m so scared of it 😀 I might attempt it soon. I am thinking about taking online classes, do you think they would be of benefit to people who have just started like myself? Thanks again Sandra .

Ahhh..your baby came out really cute. I don’t see any cracks..

Modeling chocolate definitely has a learning curve, a whole lot different from modeling paste, but it allows a much longer working time (if it gets too warm from your hands, just walk away for a few minutes) and allows for much greater detail. It’s really easy to make, but exacting. Here is the tutorial I use for modeling chocolate: http://mcgreevycakes.com/modeling-chocolate/

Here is the video of the same recipe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8oZhbQC3aSI

Yes, I definitely think the classes will help you. I have quite a few Craftsy classes, purchased when they have their sales for $19.99 each. They are fantastic and so many to pick from.

very cute baby shaz!

I agree with Sandra modelling chocolate is brilliant to use and so easy to make. It does go quite hard when it sets but softens up fine.

Thanks June 😊.

Awh thank you , Coffelover … I’ve so much to learn yet 😊.

Thank you Pamela , I am deffo going to try the modelling chocolate and see how I get on. Hen I’ve my current cake made I’ll upload a pic 😊

Hi Shaz,your baby looks great. everyone is new at some time! also,you never stop learning! I love Saracino modelling paste.I buy it in one kilo tubs.It’s hard in the tub,but once you knead it,it’s really pliable and flexible and gives you plenty of working time to do your modelling. There are lots of online tutorials that are free.Zoe’s fancy cakes does loads and are really easy to follow.Xx

Hi Karen and thank you for replying 😊…. I have started looking at Zoe’s fancy cakes and like so many others she is truly amazing. I’ll order some Saracino modelling paste and see how it goes. Have yet to try the modelling chocolate too 😊. Thanks again 🙂

My first ever cake yikes 😬

Done it for a friend and he said it tastes gorgeous too , loving my new hobby and can’t wait to learn more from eveyone on here 😊

Cake turned out lovely..really cute details. You should post in photos. Click top right “new cake”

Well, you surely learned a lot before doing your first cake! Fabulous job, Shaz, on a very ambitious design! You have a great future in cake decorating!

Thank you June :)….. ooh and i uploaded :).

Thank you Sandra for such lovely words, I hope to improve as i enjoy it so much :).

Thanks Shaz. I’m glad you like Zoe’s tutorials, I think she’s fab! Crumb Avenue are great too,some really cute free ones on there too. I’m sure you’ll love the Saracino modelling paste. Let me know how you get on.xx