roughcasting a pier

[iaink]

i want to roughcast i small blockwork pier whats the best way to do this?
do i need 2 coats or just one?do i just mix sand and cement together do i need the mix wet so that the pebbles/gravel sticks.the pier is going to be painted to match one opposite.

 

[Alastairreid]

2 coats!.
first coat then give a light scratch and let it dry.
form corners using a straight edge or corner beads.
second coat put mortar plasticiser in your mix, leave till it takes up a little then roughcast.

to put the theory into practise is a little more difficult .

good luck. p.s watch the weather.