How to model with modelling paste: sugar figurine tutorial

Here’s a tutorial on how to model with Renshaw Extra fondant. With practice, you can model all the figurines you want perfectly.

Renshaw fondant is very helpful for all kinds of modelling: sugar figurines and toppers for wedding cakes. This tutorial will help you learn how to model with fondant and make a funny cake. For painting the figurine, I used gel and powder colorants by Rainbow Dust, the best brand in my opinion.

Lately, I’ve been traveling a lot because of all the courses I’ve been teaching around the globe. That’s why I couldn’t keep up with the rhythm of posts and tutorials.

How to model a fondant figurine: prepare all the materials

Tools

Metal ball tool
X-acto knife
Small fondant rolling pin
Dresden tool
1 Wire gauge 18
PME diamond cutter
1 Square dummy (10cm)
Dark brown satin ribbon

Edibles

White Renshaw Modelling Paste
Black Renshaw Extra fondant
ProGel colorants: Eucalyptus, Ruby, Baby Blue and Chestnut
Rainbow Dust powder colorants: Strawberry

Modelling with fondant: step by step

1. Take a portion of modelling paste and colour it with a flesh tone. Fold it slightly upwards, like a smile. With the help of a ball tool, make two oval fissures to create the eye sockets.

2. With the help of a Dresden tool, make a deep press and create a “D” shape smile.

3. Make a tiny teardrop with the modelling paste to create the nose. Previously wet the paste with some water. Make the two nostrils.

4. Make two small circles with the modelling paste and glue them to the sides. Press the centre of the circles to give them volume.

5. Fill the eye sockets with some white modelling paste.

6. Colour some modelling paste with ProGel Ruby and a bit of ProGel Chestnut, so that you get a darker red. Fill the inside of the mouth. If you find it difficult, use a Dresden tool.

7. Make two ovals of black fondant and create the eye pupils. Also make the cheeks with a pair of pieces similar to 2 grains of rice. Glue them under the eyes.

8. Cut a small square with the modelling paste and make a mark in the centre. Glue it just under the upper lip to create the teeth.

9. For the arms, make a small sausage with the modelling paste. Press the paste at 5mm from each end, that way we’ll create the hand and the shoulder. Stretch one of the ends with a rolling pin and cut it in a V shape to make the hand.

10. Make some small marks with a cutter to create the joints and give the arm some movement.

11. Now you have to imagine an egg. Cut it in half to make the body. With the other half we’ll make the legs. For that purpose, make a central mark and two wrinkles. Let it dry. As you will see, the picture below doesn’t match the final picture. That’s because I changed my mind at the last minute.

12. Stretch a sheet of modelling paste coloured with Baby Blue and cover the whole body to make the overalls.

13. In order to assemble the figure, you must wait for all the parts to dry properly. Pierce the body with a wire. Prick the head into it in an inclined way. Make the braces and the cap.

14. Glue the arms to the body and… be patient! You should wait for the whole figure to be dry to keep working on it.

15. Add some details, like a pocket, buttons, etc. Let your imagination fly and give it your personal touch.

16. Make two small sausages coloured with a darker blue to create a pair of slippers.

17. For the hair, colour some modelling paste with ProGel Chestnut. Make some teardrops of different sizes and try to glue them creating some movement.

18. Make a pair of squares of chocolate of the same colour as the hair and put one into the pocket and the other on his left hand.

19. I used a PME diamond cutter to cover the base. They’re wonderful!

20. Colour some modelling paste with a bit of ProGel Eucalyptus. Cut different diamonds of that colour and a few more white diamonds. Glue them to the dummy, trying to keep the straight lines. Finally, prick the figurine into the dummy and put a dark brown satin ribbon on it.

Create your own sugar figurines

I hope this tutorial helps you practice and inspires you to create your own characters. Give them a personal touch. And, if you do, show me the final result via mail, Facebook or Instagram. I’d really like to see it! If you want to learn more about modelling paste figurines, I recommend this post on how to model the Grandpa from Up. If you have any doubts, leave a comment below and I’ll answer as soon as possible.

How would you name this Sausage Boy?

This Sausage Boy has no name yet, so if you have any ideas just leave a comment below. I found the inspiration for this figurine on Pinterest (a social network which I adore). You can also follow me on Pinterest.

See you on my next post!

Marc