How can I replicate the brick facade technique using plaster, mortar, or concrete on wood before attempting it on my home?

Back in 1989, my father-in-law tried out this cool technique on his house. I distinctly remember being super impressed watching him create a brick facade using this method. It was like he had the white mortar on the bottom, then the burnt red on top, and he shaped it into bricks. I don’t have any experience with this, but I’m really interested in learning. Do you have any suggestions on what kind of plaster, mortar, or concrete material they use for this? And do you think I should spray it on or trowel on the two layers? I want to practice on some pieces of wood first to get the hang of it before I try it on my house.