any tips for creating crackle?

Question

i try to create crackle effect on my painting. i bought behr crackle paint. i follow the instruction, but the crackle doesnt look nature. the lines are either horizontal or vertical. some are very big and some are small like hair, and some parts dont even crack. how can i make it look good like a very dry ground in a desert.

ok, thanks for the tips. its hard to add color on it. the background is white buff color, and i am trying to make the top layer british brown. its hard to add color to the top color without paint on the white cracks.

Answer 1

Mix rubbing alcohol into your paint and apply it very thick. You will get a large "chunky" look (like a desert floor), and less like tiny fractures.

If that doesn't work well enough for you, use Gesso, apply it with a pallette knife all thick and chunky, let it get to almost a dry state, then lightly smooth it out some with the pallette knife. Then do a light color wash over it once it dries.