Hi. I am looking for a small quantity of plaster so i can learn to add mud to my models. Reading online documents, suggested "Plaster of Paris" but it seems that this product comes in big can or container ( a pound and more..) at local hardware stores. Is there an alternative product that can be purchased at smaller scale ? I am new to this technique and would prefer something at a smaller quantity to try out first. Thanks for any suggestions.
Thanh Huynh.

It's really any fine powder that won't deteriorate over time. Possibly fine clay if you happen to live in an area with very fine dirt/dust. Or talcum powder should work too.

That said, plastic by the pound is still really inexpensive. A pound should be less than $5.

I think the question would lay in how thick you want it. For mud, I usually mix a mud colored pigment(Mig) with water to form a paste, then apply thick with a brush. Once dry I coat with flat clear coat for dry mud or a gloss clear for wet mud.

Hope that helps.

Thanks Jessie and Kevin for the replies. I am curious if anyone uses "baby powder" or "baking powder" as alternative
ingredient to making mud ? This is going to be my first try on applying mud to my tanks. Thanks in advance.
Thanh.

I've used actual mud. I gather fine dust, or grab different soil samples and pulverize the clumps. I can do different colors on top of each other, work it after it dries with a brush, and it is fairly easy to work with.

Idf say any powder would do ... but dont use just powder, or you´ll end up with a mud that is very smooth. Throw in a little fine grain sand and some static grass to get a more realistic mud effect. Even pastels to add colour.

The most realistic way I've found to represent mud is Rust-o-Leum's brown, stone texture paint. It's pretty dark and appears to have a wet finish, when dry.

Bakig powder, coffee powder, water and white glue. You can add tea leaves or smal grains of cat litter. Mix, aply and it´s done!