Paint drying cracked-like?

[WarGameGuru]

Okay I need some expert help. I don't know why, but lately sometimes the paint on models I'm painting ends up drying cracked. It looks like hell, and it's driving me crazy trying to figure out why, or how this is occuring. It's literally drying and looking like old cracked paint, almost like how paint looks in a really old house as it's cracking and coming off a wall, only on a miniature model instead.

I'm wondering if it's just an issue with my Reaper Master Series color Ultramarine, as it's usually the culprit, but I've never had this issue before and I've used this shade a lot in the past with great results.

[Michi]

This is an effect that can be caused by the lower layer drying slower than the upper one. It my also occur if there is a spirit in the previous layer and water in the later.

[WarGameGuru]

This is an effect that can be caused by the lower layer drying slower than the upper one. It my also occur if there is a spirit in the previous layer and water in the later.

I was just reading on TMP and one guy said the same thing. Thank you, I think that's what's going on, as I primed them, then I thought they were dry, and I added a wash, and then I started to paint. The wash might have left the model a little moist yet. The primer might have been dry to the touch, but maybe not shrkined down yet either.

I guess I just need to slow down.

[Wirelizard]

Slowing down is probably the thing to do. Put the miniatures aside for 24hrs or so and do something else!

I had a section of river on a recent project crack grossly; I was doing repeated washes over a basecoat that, it turns out, wasn't dry yet. Put it aside overnight, repaint the basecoat, put it aside again for a day, then do the washes, and I had a non-cracked final product.

[Silent Invader]

it's driving me crazy

The effect is actually known as crazing.   

I always leave sprayed undercoat for at least 24 hours to let the solvent evaporate.  Good luck .

[ErikB]

There is some stuff at the local art store that makes this happen purposely.  Time, money, and interest permitting, it may be educational to get some and experiment with it on something like scarp plastic, model houses, or on bases.

I was thinking of trying this effect on bases to simulate dry, cracked earth for my Africans.

[WarGameGuru]

Thanks for all of the replies!

I'm trying to slow the process down, so it doesn't happen again.

[ErikB]

I put my minis in front of a fan, sometimes.  Now that it is autumn... well, doesn't matter.  I live in California.