Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A
Hi Nadine
Paul uses Renshaw’s sugarpaste but you can use a supermarket brand which works just as well if not better! You’ll need to turn it into gumpaste by adding some tylose powder or CMC or gum tragacanth. These are all gum strengtheners which help firm up sugarpaste so it dries more quickly. Gum tragacanth is the strongest of all the gum strengthers but you can use which ever one you find most convenient. The most common ratio to add is 1 teaspoon of the powder to 250g of sugarpaste. Knead it in well. If you use tylose/cmc the paste can be used straight away to make models with. However if you use gum tragacanth, the paste should be rested for at least 12 -24 hours to activate the gum.
For scratch recipes and how to use gum paste/petal paste/flower paste have a peek here:
Alternatively you can use ready made flower paste and make gumpaste using half quantities of each paste to make gumpaste. I find the very best and finest modelling pastes are the Squires Kitchen brand as seen here:
https://www.squires-shop.com/uk/catalogue/edible-modelling-and-sugar-flower-pastes
These can be purchased from many suppliers online and good local cake decorating stores.
There are lots of tutorial in youtube on how to make gumpaste. You’ll see them if you search ‘how to make gumpaste’. You will also see Pual sprinkling the powder in several tutorials when he wants a firmer paste to work with.
Models take a long time to dry. Weather conditions such as rain and humidity delays drying time so it is best to make models well ahead of time. From personal experience, I give between 2 – 3 weeks depending on size of models.
Store dry models in well ventilated card board boxes. Plastic containers will make them sweat and wilt. More information here:
Hope some of the above helps. If you need more information please post again.
