One easy way to create a crackle look is to use a reductive method of surface decoration. The organic, natural breaks of the surface will provide visual interest and implied texture. For stronger crackle patterns, allow the topical material to stay in place for a longer time. Plastic wrap or cleaning rags are also good texturing tools. A scrap of mat board can carve through a fluid paint surface to form the wiggles and ridges associated with other stones.
Malachite begins with a dry base coat of light, minty green.
Apply very fluid dark green to this base color. Create striations by dragging a torn scrap of cardboard across the deep green wet paint. By shaking the cardboard, a wavy pattern is developed that closely resembles natural malachite. Speckling and splattering paint is very easy to do and affords an instant textural element. Speckling can be done in a number of ways.