I start by covering the supports in chicken wire.
Then I cover the wire in burlap soaked in #1 moulding plaster.
Then I put a thin coat of rock mix over that. On this base I didn't put it on a few areas where I knew there was going to be wet sand. I make the mix out of 2 parts moulding plaster, 2 parts cellulose insulation, and one part dextrine. I will at times at vermiculite and ground cork, but it is not necessary.
I let this dry for a couple of days. I then paint the rocks with tempra paints. I also attache the sand at this time. For this he wanted a wet river look, so I used a sandy soil. I put down carpenters glue and sift it on. I let that dry overnight. Then on small bases on dump off what isn't stuck, but on this I used a shop vac to get it off. Then I spray the rock with a clear coat satin lacquer. Finally I mix the carpenters glue with quite a bit of water to really thin it and paint it over the sand. When it dries it looks wet. Then attach moss and whatever else you would like. Here is the final base.
I didn't mention that I bag the feet of the animal and blend the rock right up to them. Just make it look natural and not built up.
A closer look.
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