Wednesday, November 26, 2008

A Penguin Tutorial

What a day I've had with these cute little guys! Wednesday afternoons are my sugar days with my friend Verdie. Today our mission was a flock of penguins for my grandson's birthday cake in ten days time. As we were experimenting with the little creatures I took photos, so it is going to be a tutorial of sorts. I will start with the finished flock.
To start, using gumpaste or a mixture of gumpaste and fondant, or fondant with some tylose or gumtrag, measure some pieces of white paste about 15 grams each for the bodies.

Form them into the shape of the body, as above and push a toothpick into it to hold the head later.
Next, using black paste, make pieces 4 grams for the head and roll into balls. Next, make the eyes and beaks. For the eyes, roll white paste very thinly and cut circles with a #6 piping tip. The little circle will be the cornea. Cut the same out of black paste and divide it in two, make a ball and flatten it for the pupil. Stick in place on the head. For the beak, cut a small square, I had to trim it smaller than the cutter below. Press with a pin to fold it in half. Press the pin flat into the head to make a small indentation. Brush a little water into the indent and gently push in the beak.


Cut out the wings and feet from black paste using small heart cutters for the feet, and an oval cutter for the wings. You may have to trim the hearts to fit. The oval shape gets cut in half, and it's glued with the rounded side to the front.
Make a small cone of coloured paste and work with a pointed modelling stick to create the toque. Push the head onto the toothpick, adding a little gum glue to keep it in place. Then glue the toque in place.
Now, aren't they just the cutest little guys!!! If you make the penguins for your own cake, I'd love to see the finished result. Leave me a message please! My finished cake is posted here on December 8th. Click on "penguins" under Labels below.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I LOVE THEM! I showed Josh the pictures you posted and he let out a big squeal...I think he`s going to love his cake, can`t wait to see the whole thing!

Anonymous said...

Hi! I just found your blog, and these little guys are adorable! I can't wait to see what you're going to do with them!

Lori said...

They are wonderful! so cute! I wouldn't want to eat them!!
Lori

Lori said...

I am sure your grandson will be so pleased!

Anonymous said...

Those are soooo cute!!! I want to see the finished cake!

Seriously - very cute.

Susan said...

How cute those are, and you make it look so easy. =)

Unknown said...

Dear Diana,
I dearly admire your works and I wish I could have the time to indulge myself to all these really beautiful creations. Thank-you so much for sharing so much and I find the tutorials really good. I think I am also going crazy like you to love to try so many things but you are so good.