hippos in mud - help pls?

Comment

Comment by June Kowalczyk on April 25, 2014 at 12:54pm

Yes Penny. I'm guilty of that too. In my haste to get things to "dry" I sometimes add too much tylose powder. Your gumpaste should be soft, supple and have some give and flexibility when you are kneading. If I've made mine too stiff, I add a bit of shortening bit by bit and knead until I can feel it changing, becoming more supple. When you think you only add a couple of tsp to 1 lb. of fondant, you don't need much. The link Katy should be helpful.

Comment by Katy Nott on April 24, 2014 at 12:32pm

Probably too much gum trag Penny, yes.  Or, if it's not cracking while you are molding it, then perhaps you need to support things better as they are drying?  If they have no support then their own weight will pull them down.  I also have yet to master the really smooth finish and I know how frustrating it can be.  You can also try kneading a little lard (crisco) into the figure as you are working with it and also on your hands.  This helps the surface to stay more moist.  Problem with that if you are painting afterwards is the paint won't take on the grease.  But if not, it might help.

There is a discussion on Cake Central about this that might help with some tips - 

http://cakecentral.com/t/605985/help-with-gum-paste-fondant-figures...