Track ballasting secrets - immediate initial effects and great final results for your model railway

Ballasting is nobody's favourite job on the layout, but it needn't be a chore. Here are my three simple techniques for immediate initial effects, quick general application and great realistic final results - all without it feeling like hard work.
(Please note, textured spray paints are available from several brands, in a variety of colours, and no specific endorsement of this particular brand is intended.)

[@EliasAbejo-jy3vy]

So cool! What is the width of your layout? Is it 1ft wide?

[@paterpracticus]

Thank you! The layout is a circle, 1m in diameter, with a 50cm hole in the middle, so each join is about a foot.

[@EliasAbejo-jy3vy]

@@paterpracticus thanks!

[@AJB2K3]

Something I recently learnt is to use a mix of 50/50 PVA/water and a drop of IPA.

[@paterpracticus]

Any particular brand?

[@AJB2K3sOddBits-hq6ls]

Doesn’t really matter as long as it’s pure liquid and not gel.