Trying to make dry, cracked dirt/mud

[Paul C]

I'm trying to make a dry, cracked riverbed scene and am having some trouble getting the dirt to crack.  Any ideas on how to make dirt/clay crack on a base about 10 inches by 8 inches by 3/4 of an inch thick?  I've had it happen before on occasion when I DIDN'T want it to but now that I WANT to do it I can't get it to happen.  Any suggestions?

[Sikk]

I would try this , mix you dirt mix with peat moss( more peat than dirt mix) and wet the peat moss thoroughly before mixing( may have to soak it over night if hydrophoibic) , smooth out your dirt scene and as the peat moss dries it wil  shrink and crack naturally. you won't be able to conrtol where it cracks but it should look natural. Then when it is thoroughly dry, seal the mix to keep it from rehydrating during high humidity exposure. paul

[Brian Jones]

Here you go Cole posted this a couple weeks ago. www.taxidermy.net/forum/index.php/topic,40052.0.html

[Paul C]

Thanks guys.  I'll let ya know how it turns out.

[Matt]

When I used to put too much water in the mix, it would crack everywhere. If you up the ratio of water to whatever you are using, it will crack up for you.

[Wildside]

Yep, Same as Matt.  Water with elmers.

[Curt]

That was a great link and tip thank you.