To make food coloring more opaque, especially when painting on icing, add a little white to your gel food color mixture.
Here's a breakdown of how to achieve opaque food coloring:
Using White to Increase Opacity
The most common method involves incorporating white coloring. White food coloring essentially acts as a pigment that diffuses the light, creating a more solid, opaque appearance.
- Type of White Coloring: Gel or powder white food coloring is generally preferred over liquid, as it won't alter the consistency of your base color as drastically.
- Application: Gradually add small amounts of white coloring to your colored mixture, mixing thoroughly after each addition, until you achieve the desired level of opacity.
Example: Painting on Icing
As indicated in the provided reference, if you're painting on icing:
- Start with your gel food color.
- Mix it with a small amount of Everclear (or another flavor extract like vodka). Everclear helps the coloring dry faster and more evenly.
- Add a small amount of white gel food coloring. This will shift the color towards a more opaque, acrylic-like finish, preventing a watercolor effect.
Tips for Optimal Results
- Start Small: It's easier to add more white coloring than to remove it. Add gradually to avoid over-lightening the original color.
- Mix Thoroughly: Ensure the white coloring is completely incorporated for an even, consistent finish.
- Consider the Base: The starting color will influence the final result. Some colors may require more white coloring than others to achieve opacity.
By adding white coloring, you can effectively transform translucent food coloring into a more opaque medium for vibrant and solid designs.
