rainbow cakes...on average how wide?

I am wondering if the rainbow cake brand I bought is the average width or not? it's an arty brand and 1 1/4th inch wide. on line can make things look so much bigger so not sure if I got a super skinny one or not by comparison. when I watch the youtubes using rainbow cakes the artists seem to be able to make a butterfly wing in one stroke, I keep looking at the width of this thinking that won't happen. I will for sure use this one as I am just in practice mode. but wondering if there was a better brand to try for overall width and coverage. thanks so much. vikki

There are 2 different kinds of cakes with multiple colors. Rainbow cakes are the larger ones that are like this:
http://www.facepaintforumshop.com/searchresults.asp?cat=1847

The smaller ones are one strokes or ABC (arty brand cakes) which is what I think you have. These are generally used with a brush:
http://www.facepaintforumshop.com/searchresults.asp?cat=1848

Both are useful, but usually for different things.

About half way down the page on this link is a post by elantaura that shows both kinds of multicolored cakes.
http://www.facepaintforum.com/t8424-quick-set-ups-and-compact-kits.

thank you so much. the side by side pic helps a lot. think I will have to get a big cake, at least one anyway.

thanks again, just bought 2 of the bigger tag cakes! fun, fun, fun!

Both kinds are useful but for different purposes.  For the smaller ones (1-stroke / ABC), plan to use a wide brush (3/4" to 1") to pick up multiple colors.  For the larger rainbow cakes use a sponge.  There should be many examples of both techniques here on the forum and in youtubes.

Happy painting!

Here are some examples/tutorials that for one strokes and for rainbow cakes:
http://www.facepaintforum.com/t14750-post-submissions-here
http://www.facepaintforum.com/t10238-step-by-step-one-stroke-hummingbird
http://www.facepaintforum.com/t9363-tag-dragon-one-stroke-fish

Hope you enjoy your new paints!