A whole book could be filled talking about these, as there are so many different varieties available. However, I use the white plastic set that has a number on each tool. I refer to the number on the tool throughout the book. They are inexpensive, light and easy to work with, and are available to buy from my website (see Suppliers).
Securing and Supporting Your Models
Sugarpaste models need to be held together in several ways. Small parts can be attached with edible glue but larger parts, such as heads and arms, will require additional support.
Throughout the book I use pieces of dry spaghetti for this purpose. The spaghetti is inserted into the models – into the hip, shoulder or body, for example – onto which you can attach another piece – the leg, arm or head. Leave 2cm (¾in) showing at the top to support the head, and 1cm (⅜in) to support arms and legs.
The pieces will still require some edible glue to bond them, but will have more support and will stay rigid. When inserting spaghetti to support heads, make sure that it is pushed into the body in a very vertical position otherwise the head will tilt backwards and become vulnerable.
I recommend using dry spaghetti because it is food and is much safer than using cocktail sticks or toothpicks, which could cause harm, particularly to children. However, I would always advise that the spaghetti is removed before eating the cake and decorations.
Sugarpaste models sometimes need to be supported with foam or cardboard while they are drying to prevent parts from flopping over or drooping down. Advice on where this may be necessary is given in the project instructions.
Basic Shapes
There are four basic shapes required for modelling. Every character in this book begins with a ball; this shape must be rolled first, regardless of whatever shape you are trying to make.
Ball
The first step is always to roll a ball. We do this to ensure that we have a perfectly smooth surface, with no cracks or creases.
For example: If you pull out the ball at the front, you can shape it into an animal’s face.
Sausage
From this shape we can make arms and legs. It is simple to make by applying even pressure to the ball and continuing to roll, keeping it uniform thickness along its length.
For example: The sausage shape when turned up at the end will form a foot, or can be marked to make a paw.
Cone
This shape is the basis for all bodies. It is made by rolling and narrowing the ball at one end, leaving it fatter at the other.
For example: The cone can be pulled out at the widest part to form the body of a bird.
Oval
This is the least used of the basic shapes, but is used to make cheeks, ears and other small parts. It is made in the same way as the sausage, by applying even pressure to the ball, but not taking it as far.
For example: Smaller oval shapes can be used for ears.
All four basic shapes were used to make this bear – a ball for his head, a cone for his body, a sausage for his legs and an oval for his muzzle. Five of the six tools shown opposite were used in his construction.
Constructing a Head
This step-by-step demonstration shows you how to make a female head bursting with life. She has lots of details in the construction of the face.
1 Start by rolling a pear-shaped head. Add a small oval for the nose then using tool no.11, indent the top and bottom lip leaving a space in between. Join the edges at the sides (A).
2 Hold the head in one hand and with the little finger of your other hand, indent the eye area by rocking the shape backwards and forwards. Then, using the end of your paintbrush, push the centre of the mouth inside the head to make a cavity (B).
3 Roll a small banana shape for the teeth and place it under the top lip. Make two teardrop shapes in white for the eyeballs and attach just above and on either side of the nose. Add two small balls of dark blue sugarpaste to the top, and two smaller balls of black sugarpaste for the pupils. Roll two small cone shapes for the ears and attach to either side of the head, keeping the tops level with the eyes. Indent the ears at the base with the end of your paintbrush (C).
4 Roll two banana shapes in red sugarpaste for the lips and attach to the mouth. Outline the top and bottom of the eyes with a tiny lace of black sugarpaste and add the eyebrows in the same way (D).
5 Add the final details such as hair and earrings, highlight the eyes with a dot of white edible paint on the end of a cocktail stick or toothpick and dust the cheeks with pink dust food colour to give a healthy glow (E).
Tip
Experiment with the positioning of the eyes and eyebrows to give your characters different expressions.
A man’s face has fewer details than a woman’s but there are still key ways to add personality and character.
1 After rolling the head shape and indenting the eye area (see step 2 constructing a head), add a large cone shape for the nose. Mark the nostrils with tool no.5. Press the edge of a small circle cutter below the nose to mark the mouth. Add two small lines at either end of the mouth (A).
2 Roll two oval shapes in white for the eyes and attach on either side of the nose. Add a small black pupil to each eye. Add small banana shapes of flesh-coloured sugarpaste for the eyelids and add the eyebrows with a thin black lace. Make two cone shapes