How to Make a Gum Paste Guy

In this video tutorial, I'm going to demonstrate how to model a man from gum paste!

There's more than one way to build a figure. You can build an entire body on a long lollipop stick or skewer, especially if you are in a hurry and need the extra support. In my "Teen Girl/Shopping Cake" video, I run lollipop stick from her head through her waist. I also do this with several of my animal videos. However, you can also create your figures in sections, and allow them to dry before piecing them together like a puzzle. This is the method that I used in this video, and when time allows, it's my preferred method for standing figures because there are no worries of settling or sagging.

In this video, I build a man buy creating his body in three main sections. I made the pants, put an achor (lollipop stick) in the bottom of one leg, and another anchor (spaghetti) at the waist. Then I made the torso & neck as the second section, making a hole in the bottom of the torso & an achor (spaghetti) coming out of the top of the neck. Then I made a head that dried on a toothpick so that it would be round on all sides. I dried the pants & torso on fiberfill (pillow stuffing) and the next day I pieced everything together & added arms, shoes, hair, etc.

While it only took one day for me to assemble my man, I would recommend allowing at least a few days to be on the safe side--especially if you are working with fondant instead of gum paste. If you are working with fondant, adding CMC or Tylose powder will help to strengthen your fondant and speed up the drying time.

Enjoy the video!