Sunday 23 September 2012

Pastilage

Pastillage is a strengthened paste which is recommended for creating structures such as buildings, models, ornaments, boxes and cards etc. as it is very strong and hard when dry.
Pastillage is not created by boiling sugar. Pastillage is a packaged sugar compound similar to gum paste. However, pastillage can be created using confectioner's sugar, water and gelatin. This compound dries out quickly, so sugar artists must move fast when sculpting with pastillage. When the pastillage has dried, it becomes brittle, however, if further sculpting needs to be done with this compound, sugar artists can use sanders and grinders to shape it.


pastillage recipe
  • 1 lb. powdered sugar (sifted) (4 cups)
  • ½ C + 1 ½ T Cornstarch
  • 1/4 C water
  • 1/4 tsp Cream of Tartar
  • 1 unflavored gelatin pack, about  2  1/4 tsp

1. Soak the gelatin in the water, then heat up the gelatin until it is fully dissolved. in a mixer, combine the sugar, cornstarch and cream of tartar and mix. then pur in the gelatin slowly. if the mixture is moist then add more cornstarch. the mixture should be firm.
2. To colour it, just add a concentrated paste colour and knead in.

3. Roll out to thickness required (as thin as possible) and cut out taking care not to drag your knife through the paste, as this could cause wrinkles in your paste. Use a a mold for pieces you want create with for example a fire which is my inspiration. Place the mold on top and cut around it.
4. This is a paste that dries out very quickly when exposed to air so keep well covered whilst working with it. You do need to work as quickly as possible with it. When cutting it, cut on a metal tray for easy transporting the pastillage.
5. It should be left to dry for a minimum of 24 hrs at room temperature, depending on thickness/ shape/ size of pieces.
6. If only one side dries at a time there is a tendency for it to warp/buckle. It is a good idea to turn it over every few hours while drying anyway.
7. When all the pieces have hardened, piece all of them together to form a sculpture. use a glue gun or use royal icing which hardens really good.







Read more: About Sugar Sculptures | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/about_4780756_sugar-sculptures.html#ixzz27HZrGGp6

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