Sugarpaste is used for covering cakes, it is fairly soft and does not dry hard. There are many different types of sugarpaste available. Most supermarkets sell roll out icing, or ready ice, or sometimes it is known as fondant (this is an American term) there are also other brands of sugarpaste that you can buy from a good supplier, such as BFP Covapaste., which we use for all our cakes and to make modelling paste.
Modelling paste can be made two different ways, both of which are very easy, and ensure that you don't have to purchase specially made modelling paste as these work perfectly well!
Both methods are very simple, if you want a more elastic modelling paste, then we recommend you mix sugarpaste with a little flower paste, try adding just a little and see how it feels, you can then add a little more if it's not stretchy enough, you can use up to 50/50 flowerpaste with sugarpaste.
Modelling paste can also be made by kneading Tylo powder into sugarpaste (approximately a half teaspoon of Tylo powder to 250g of sugarpaste).
More Tylo powder gives a firmer paste that dries harder but is more inclined to crack while working - knead in a little white fat (Trex) and use white fat on your hands and tools to help prevent sticking.
Flowerpaste is a fine paste used for flower making and fine modelling and can be rolled extremely thinly. It will dry hard.
You can also mix it with sugar paste to make your own modelling paste.
Colouring
When colouring sugarpaste, modelling paste or flowerpaste, it is best to use paste colours. Liquid or dust colours may significantly change the consistency of your paste particularly if you require strong shades.
Add a small amount of colour at a time using a cocktail stick or small knife. Paste colours are very concentrated and will be very intense, they also tend to continue to darken a little after you have added them so it is always best to colour your icing a slightly lighter shade to start with.
Paste or dust colours can be mixed using a little IPA or Gin/Vodka to use as a paint for added details on models etc.
You can buy our mini guide to colouring sugarpste here.