Welcome to the Cake Decorators Q&A

Hi, I am trying to paint onto marzipan with isopropyl alcohol,but when it’s dried it just looks really powdery. Can anybody advise me what I’m doing wrong. Thanks.

Hi Denise

Powder colours do dry dusty. I use powders with stencils and find smoothing a little trex on the surface to be painted helps keep the colour from drying to a dust. I’ve also mixed gel colours with trex before painting. Don’t know if I’m answering appropriately, just hope this helps.

Thanks madeitwithlove,I am using powders so maybe that’s why. I will try what you say.thank you

Having had the same issue I attended a class at Cake International in Manchester on painting on fondant. The lady had fantastic results using powder colours with edible varnish rather than alcohol. Dried quickly and not at all powderyl. Just haven’t had time to try it myself yet!

Thank you for this information blueberrycakes, it will certainly be of great help to other members. x

Find lemon extract is the best for painting with lustre dusts. It absorbs really quickly and leaves a great finish.