Pastillage

[paynes1]

Hello All,

I need to complete a class project that includes constructing a building made of pastillage. Having never done this before, how should I begin? I have the building selected. Any suggestions, books, articles and the like would be appreciated. I have seen several models on the web but the artist don't reveal the preparation methods. Thanks!

Edited February 27, 2008 by paynes1 (log)

[K8memphis]

Hmm, I've never constructed anything as grand as a building with marzipan. I make lots of stuff with fondant that I dry out in my warming drawer. If you have any kind of food dehydrator or a warming drawer I'd suggest that you test some stuff and see how well it dries for you. That of course will be key. You want that stuff to dry like timber. I add cornstarch to my stuff to aid in drying but like I said I've never used marzipan for a construction project. It's expensive too.

How big you making this puppy?

[paynes1]

Hmm, I've never constructed anything as grand as a building with marzipan. I make lots of stuff with fondant that I dry out in my warming drawer. If you have any kind of food dehydrator or a warming drawer I'd suggest that you test some stuff and see how well it dries for you. That of course will be key. You want that stuff to dry like timber. I add cornstarch to my stuff to aid in drying but like I said I've never used marzipan for a construction project. It's expensive too.

How big you making this puppy?

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Thanks for the keen eye K8memphis the medium is actually pastillage/royal icing. The maximum height is 18 inches and the maximum width is 12 inches. I have selected the 3 dimensional structure as opposed to the 2 dimensional facade

[K8memphis]

Oh pastillage??!! Well this invaluable posting by Chefette will be worth it's weight in gold.

[paynes1]

Oh pastillage??!! Well this invaluable posting by Chefette will be worth it's weight in gold.

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Thanks K8memphis I will keep you posted.

[JeanneCake]

Make extra pieces of everything and make sure they're dry when you go to assemble them. Having extra will help you if something breaks unexpectedly and if you decide you need to support a piece, you have a duplicate. Sort of like coating the back of a gingerbread wall with chocolate for extra strength.

Good luck! Take pictures to share the fun!