I found the pattern for this stone a while ago and made others on photoshop from photos. With those, along with guidance from your tombstone video and Hollywood Haunter's I was able to give my mom's old store-bought tombstones a Haunted Mansion face lift wjile visiting the other week!
You make it look so easy.....My biggest problem is the summers are super hot and working in an open garage can be problematic. So come September it's a rush to try and finish and not die from the heat in the process. Thanks for putting out so man videos every week, we all look forward to them.
I know the pain of hot summers. It's already in the upper 90s here in LA and the 100s are right around the corner. I highly recommend a large shop fan. Stay cool!
@@VanOaksProps Actually, you do have a good voice for voiceovers. I'm a 43 veteran of broadcasting and trained with a top voice acting coach in LA. I don't hear Casey Kasem but your voice is unique. You should think about delving into voiceovers...if you're not too busy!
Great job as usual. The Cricut( or other versions) stencils are a great idea.. I have always just uploaded the picture to a thumb drive and used my Atmos projector to create the copy...The advantage is, I can make it as huge or small as I want...
I used to take that approach too, but as I get older my hands aren’t as steady as they used to be. So the smaller details get a bit sketchy. Definitely a great way to do it though.
Great work as always, and love the airbrush to blend idea... I'll be using that one for sure. One suggestion; when adding the base if you start with the end (shorter) pieces then overlap the longer front and back ones, the seams aren't as evident and are easier to hide. LOVE your work, and am planning on making a number of your props.
Ok you can't put it off forever.....the icing on the Haunted Mansion Prop Cake...... The Singing Busts. When are you going to tackle these? I can't think of any haunter and artist more qualified and talented than you.
@@VanOaksProps i just made a predictor mask now working on the costume . So i took your advice and made something . Lol the mask is awsome .wish i could have been able to share it with you .
I think it's the ammonia in Windex that helps thin out the paint better than just water. I also thin my foam latex and mask making latex with Windex for the same reason. Haven't tried Pine-sol but I bet that would also work if you like your paint smelling like a forest.
G'Day! I tried your painting method on a scrap piece of foam today and it worked out great! I needed an excuse to try out my new Airbrush hehe. I am definitely going to use your method on my new tombstones 🎃
I've been watching your videos for some time now and never realized you have a disability. While a persons disability doesn't define them, seeing someone with a disability creating such amazing work is even more inspiring. Keep up the amazing work!!!
Foam is common for any tombstones but it didn't stop me from being disappointed since I hate foam. Wind broke my tombstones the same year I got them. So I'm looking into DIY concrete tombstones. Downsides are that they're heavier & harder to make but the upside is they look realistic, last a long time and even if they break it adds to the creepy & old look.
Thank you for this tutorial. I am wanting to add XPs stones to an outdoor playhouse, but I was worried about it being waterproof. I think the drylok is just what I need.
I am guessing the window cleaner has soap agents in it. I have read that some people use a little soap in paint to help it spread without clumping. Alcohol can do the same kind of thing for white glue. And there is probably some alcohol in the window cleaner. Just thinking out load.
This is a long shot since the video is several years old, but I just found your channel. (And love it by the way!) My question is, how did you rig the acrylic piece to your Dremel. That’s actually super genius. Since my hand isn’t very steady, this would make carving so much easier. Keep up the great content!
OMG, I haven't seen a plotter in decades. Last time I saw one was in the late nineties. Aerospace company I worked with at the time used to plot of schematics and mechanical drawings.
Love the video.. I want to make some but can't find 2 inch foam insulation.. none of the stores around me in florida have it.. do you know where I can get it?
You may have to goto a building supply store, not Home Depot or Lowes, to see if they carry it. You can also check the Owens Corning website for distributors of XPS foam or Foamular in your area.
Very nice. You are methodical with the layout and have answered a number of questions I had about transforming an internet screen shot into a real world object. Just a question have you ever tried to use the "spray paint melting" to do the carving for you? I would think it would automatically create a worn effect.
Very nice! Do the paints and materials you use make this weatherproof, or is this one strictly indoor? And if so, any suggestions for outdoor tombstone materials?
@@VanOaksProps Do you have any suggestions on the best way to secure foam tombstones outside? It's very windy where I live, and I always have trouble keeping them from blowing away. Glue a stake to the back?
As a matter of fact I find that clear black inscription looks too much like the stone was taken tidy and well cared, not as if it was long time forgotten on an old, creepy forsaken orchard... But everyone´s individual style. The stone texture looks awesome.^^
Actually, I wanted the look of a more recent tombstone, one that was only a few decades old, and this technique is exactly what I needed. Not all tombstones are ancient.
@@rickarchambault4756 yeah, you're of course right about that. Today's people die too. xD That actually makes me wonder what headstones might look like in like the next century.
Looks great! You skipped the drylok because the paint will seal it? Thanks for the informative video as always! I’m going to get one of those Dremel bits!
Thanks Pete! I skipped the Drylok because the client wanted a flat surface and Drylok adds a sandy texture. But also, the acrylic paint is weather-resistant so no additional sealing is required.
I live in Pittsburgh and every so often it likes to just hurricane here for no reason. Crazy winds, tons of rain, etc. So I know I could put a stake in in the tombstone and hammer into the ground but is there anyway I can weight it or something?
I saw a video where they put electrical tubing. I only had watering tubing and cut it used hot glue gun to glue it to tombstone and then put a tent peg in it. After a couple of nights of bad weather only two came out. Don’t make the tubing too big if it’s smaller more of the tent peg goes into the ground. From Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺 but hurricanes won’t stop any tombstones from lifting don’t have them out in really bad weather.
I was wishing the vinyl cutter would be cheaper. I have abuout 5 more tombstones in mind and it is always a pain to do the letters, I don't need the cutter beyond those five though. Maybe a local print shop could do this on a cost effective basis.
You always can simply print the text on a laser printer on normal paper and put a carbon sheet under your paper when you tape it down to your tombstone. Then outline the letters to place an outline on your foam. It's a little more complex and takes a little more time, but cheaper than a vinyl cutter. You may need to print your text on multiple sheets of paper depending on the size of your text.
Is there any way I can get the templates? It’s my sons first Halloween and I’m working on a haunted mansion decoration for the front yard because we aren’t able to go to Disneyland for a while ! Please let me know !
Thanks! Sealer is used based on the type of paint. In the case of tombstones, they’re either acrylic or latex and that makes them weather resistant. If it’s a lacquer or there will be multiple layers of weathering applied, I may use a sealer/clear coat just to lock in the paint prior to weathering just in case there’s a possibility for a weird reaction between the paints or the application of the top layer of paint may contaminate/loosen/dull earlier layers of paint.
Derek - have you ever considered hard-coating either with a thin layer of spray resin or alternatively with a painted on concrete layer? (but very thin)
I've hard coated using monster mud, which is concrete-like, but not with resin. It doesn't seem worth the effort or cost. Plus I don't know how the foam would handle to the exothermic reaction as the resin kicks.
Another terrific video, Derek! What foam did you use for the core part of the tombstone? It didn’t look like blue/pink, which I think you used to create the base layer. Yet it seemed to rout cleanly for the lettering. Thanks.
Can this be used to lift the lid of a coffin ⚰️ like in the Haunted Mansion coffin in the attraction with the hands to the side of it Simulating that the hands are lifting the lid
I'm sure you've been asked this multiple times, but how well does this technique hold up outside? Is it something that can last year round or just short term?
Which part? The foam, while rigid, isn’t designed for year round outdoor use, but if you hard coat it you’ll be able to. You’ll also want to seal the hard coat. The acrylic paint is weather resistant, so it’ll withstand most types of weather, although it may fade with time. If you’re in an extreme heat area it’s possible for acrylic or latex paints to blister.
@@VanOaksProps OK Cool I'm going to take a Stab at Making my Own Tombstone this Halloween Season it's a Shame the Foam is so Dam Expensive 313 Until I D-I-E 💯
I hear you. Everything I did with the stencil cutter can be done by printing out your epitaph on paper and tracing it into the foam with a pen or pencil, or you could cut the stencil by hand, so don’t let that stop you from bringing your ideas to life.
![Megan Thee Stallion - Bigger In Texas [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/QxTkZTLWdo4/mqdefault.jpg)
I found the pattern for this stone a while ago and made others on photoshop from photos. With those, along with guidance from your tombstone video and Hollywood Haunter's I was able to give my mom's old store-bought tombstones a Haunted Mansion face lift wjile visiting the other week!
That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing
You make it look so easy.....My biggest problem is the summers are super hot and working in an open garage can be problematic. So come September it's a rush to try and finish and not die from the heat in the process. Thanks for putting out so man videos every week, we all look forward to them.
I know the pain of hot summers. It's already in the upper 90s here in LA and the 100s are right around the corner. I highly recommend a large shop fan. Stay cool!
I walked into the room while this video was playing and thought Casey Kasem was narrating it! Good work man!
Nope, just me. hahaha
First time I watched one of his videos I thought the same exact thing lol
@@VanOaksProps Actually, you do have a good voice for voiceovers. I'm a 43 veteran of broadcasting and trained with a top voice acting coach in LA. I don't hear Casey Kasem but your voice is unique. You should think about delving into voiceovers...if you're not too busy!
Great job as usual. The Cricut( or other versions) stencils are a great idea.. I have always just uploaded the picture to a thumb drive and used my Atmos projector to create the copy...The advantage is, I can make it as huge or small as I want...
I used to take that approach too, but as I get older my hands aren’t as steady as they used to be. So the smaller details get a bit sketchy. Definitely a great way to do it though.
Great work as always, and love the airbrush to blend idea... I'll be using that one for sure. One suggestion; when adding the base if you start with the end (shorter) pieces then overlap the longer front and back ones, the seams aren't as evident and are easier to hide.
LOVE your work, and am planning on making a number of your props.
Ok you can't put it off forever.....the icing on the Haunted Mansion Prop Cake...... The Singing Busts. When are you going to tackle these? I can't think of any haunter and artist more qualified and talented than you.
These guys are amazing. I love every one of these videos. Whoever is behind the video I would like to thank them also.
You’re welcome!
@@VanOaksProps i just made a predictor mask now working on the costume . So i took your advice and made something . Lol the mask is awsome .wish i could have been able to share it with you .
It's comforting to see I'm not the only person that has a thing for Windex , Rock on brother!!
Hell yeah!
I think it's the ammonia in Windex that helps thin out the paint better than just water. I also thin my foam latex and mask making latex with Windex for the same reason. Haven't tried Pine-sol but I bet that would also work if you like your paint smelling like a forest.
G'Day! I tried your painting method on a scrap piece of foam today and it worked out great! I needed an excuse to try out my new Airbrush hehe. I am definitely going to use your method on my new tombstones 🎃
That's great to hear!
Absolutely incredible! Would definitely have this displayed in my room
Thanks!
I didn't know about the page tiling print option! That's fantastic.
Yep. It’s very handy.
The muddled effect with the sponge followed by the airbrush looks good.
I think so too. Definitely looked like the clients existing stones.
Very well done Derek! Also love the thumbnail!
Glad you like it!
Absolutely gorgeous! Great work!
Thanks so much, Don!
Derek you know how much I love a good tombstone and you have made a great one!
Thank you so much 😀
He is so talented!
As always, fantastic work! I'll be shooting you another tip I know that I think you'll appreciate and get good use out of!
I've been watching your videos for some time now and never realized you have a disability. While a persons disability doesn't define them, seeing someone with a disability creating such amazing work is even more inspiring. Keep up the amazing work!!!
Thanks Jason!
Foam is common for any tombstones but it didn't stop me from being disappointed since I hate foam. Wind broke my tombstones the same year I got them. So I'm looking into DIY concrete tombstones. Downsides are that they're heavier & harder to make but the upside is they look realistic, last a long time and even if they break it adds to the creepy & old look.
That came out excellent. Good take aways from this video! Thanks Derek!
Thanks buddy!
Just found you and Wow!!! Love the Haunted Mansion 🖤 You’re so very talented!!!
Thanks so much and welcome!
I love the paint thinning technique! Definitely going to try that this season.
It turned out pretty good, right? I don't usually use that method but I think it worked well.
I would love to play in your shop!! Halloween is my favorite day of the year!! Thank you for taking the time to show us some of your tricks.
My pleasure!
Awesome Halloween prop 🎃💀🧟♀️
Thanks Susie! I appreciate that.
This was awesome! Thanks for such a great tutorial. I don't think I'm ambitious enough to try this on my own, but maybe someday!
You can do it!
Oh how wonderfully done.
Thanks so much!
Another great tombstone for the collection!
Thank you for this tutorial. I am wanting to add XPs stones to an outdoor playhouse, but I was worried about it being waterproof. I think the drylok is just what I need.
Glad I could help!
I love your work I have a Wild West Halloween them I started last year with the kids we are learning a lot from you thanks
That is awesome! I'm glad the kids dig it.
that’s sooo cool. i love it.
Thank you!
Nice one, thanks for the new techniques!!
My pleasure!
I’ve more than doubled my knowledge base by simply watching your videos. Thank you very much and keep up the great work!!
That's awesome! I love hearing that my videos are so well received and helpful.
@@VanOaksProps Thank you again, I just became a Patreon supporter!!
DIY dirty talk "Hey, nice plotter..." 😆
Awesome! Love tombstones and love haunted Mansion! Awesome work Derek!
Thanks so much!
I am guessing the window cleaner has soap agents in it. I have read that some people use a little soap in paint to help it spread without clumping. Alcohol can do the same kind of thing for white glue. And there is probably some alcohol in the window cleaner. Just thinking out load.
Need to make this!!
This is cool and helpful, now you need to make Madame Leota’s with moving eyes.
Maybe some day!
@@VanOaksProps and maybe Madame Leota in her Crystal Ball?
Wonderful stuff, thank you.
My pleasure. Thanks for checking it out.
Simply awesome 👏🏻
Thanks Jason!
This is a long shot since the video is several years old, but I just found your channel. (And love it by the way!)
My question is, how did you rig the acrylic piece to your Dremel. That’s actually super genius. Since my hand isn’t very steady, this would make carving so much easier.
Keep up the great content!
It’s glued to it. I actually offer them for sale in my shop here: vanoaksprops.etsy.com/listing/1072838853
Cool project!
Thanks!
OMG, I haven't seen a plotter in decades. Last time I saw one was in the late nineties. Aerospace company I worked with at the time used to plot of schematics and mechanical drawings.
They’re very popular in the crafting community, especially now that you can use them to cut designs for heat transfers onto fabric.
I know I’d misspell something! Wonderful job!
Hahaha. That's the other benefit of having traced the letters out.
Cool
Love the video.. I want to make some but can't find 2 inch foam insulation.. none of the stores around me in florida have it.. do you know where I can get it?
You may have to goto a building supply store, not Home Depot or Lowes, to see if they carry it. You can also check the Owens Corning website for distributors of XPS foam or Foamular in your area.
Great job!!
Thank you!
Nice job!
Thanks!
Master Gracey would be proud.
Thanks John!
Very nice. You are methodical with the layout and have answered a number of questions I had about transforming an internet screen shot into a real world object. Just a question have you ever tried to use the "spray paint melting" to do the carving for you? I would think it would automatically create a worn effect.
Thanks! I’ve tried the spray paint method but find it to be unpredictable. It’s good for certain applications, though.
This is great! Was it killing you to not do more weathering at the end with the usual "runs" colors and moss/mold?
Yes, it was.
Very nice! Do the paints and materials you use make this weatherproof, or is this one strictly indoor? And if so, any suggestions for outdoor tombstone materials?
Thanks! Yes, the acrylic paints are weather resistant.
@@VanOaksProps Do you have any suggestions on the best way to secure foam tombstones outside? It's very windy where I live, and I always have trouble keeping them from blowing away. Glue a stake to the back?
@@Peter_Herrman I do! ruclips.net/video/luyjpX5b5pQ/видео.html
Excellent work! What particular dremel bit do you use to do your carving? The letters came out super clean.
I use the 194 for most small lettering.
As a matter of fact I find that clear black inscription looks too much like the stone was taken tidy and well cared, not as if it was long time forgotten on an old, creepy forsaken orchard... But everyone´s individual style. The stone texture looks awesome.^^
Yep. It’s all about making sure my client gets what they want.
Actually, I wanted the look of a more recent tombstone, one that was only a few decades old, and this technique is exactly what I needed. Not all tombstones are ancient.
@@rickarchambault4756 yeah, you're of course right about that. Today's people die too. xD
That actually makes me wonder what headstones might look like in like the next century.
Looks great! You skipped the drylok because the paint will seal it? Thanks for the informative video as always! I’m going to get one of those Dremel bits!
Thanks Pete! I skipped the Drylok because the client wanted a flat surface and Drylok adds a sandy texture. But also, the acrylic paint is weather-resistant so no additional sealing is required.
I live in Pittsburgh and every so often it likes to just hurricane here for no reason. Crazy winds, tons of rain, etc. So I know I could put a stake in in the tombstone and hammer into the ground but is there anyway I can weight it or something?
I saw a video where they put electrical tubing. I only had watering tubing and cut it used hot glue gun to glue it to tombstone and then put a tent peg in it. After a couple of nights of bad weather only two came out. Don’t make the tubing too big if it’s smaller more of the tent peg goes into the ground. From Melbourne Australia 🇦🇺 but hurricanes won’t stop any tombstones from lifting don’t have them out in really bad weather.
I was wishing the vinyl cutter would be cheaper. I have abuout 5 more tombstones in mind and it is always a pain to do the letters, I don't need the cutter beyond those five though. Maybe a local print shop could do this on a cost effective basis.
Possibly!
You always can simply print the text on a laser printer on normal paper and put a carbon sheet under your paper when you tape it down to your tombstone. Then outline the letters to place an outline on your foam. It's a little more complex and takes a little more time, but cheaper than a vinyl cutter. You may need to print your text on multiple sheets of paper depending on the size of your text.
@@brbailey I ended up doing the laser printer reversed image and hot iron to transfer it. Not ideal but was fast. Thanks for the additional idea.
@@flywithbart Yeah I remembered the iron on way with laser printer tonight. I’m about to do the same thing this weekend.
Is there any way I can get the templates? It’s my sons first Halloween and I’m working on a haunted mansion decoration for the front yard because we aren’t able to go to Disneyland for a while ! Please let me know !
www.yourwdwstore.net/assets/images/8/80000/3000/100/83149.jpg
What kind of black paint to use?
Acrylic for all? Looks great. Thanks for sharing.
I used FolkArt multi-surface black acrylic for everything. Thinned down for the airbrush and the rest at full strength applied with a brush.
@@VanOaksProps THANKS!😁
do you have patterns for the other tombstones or good pictures to get that with, do you know the fonts on the different tombstones?
I don’t. The lettering was all custom so the best you can do is try to find something similar.
Fantastic! I've heard you talk about applying sealer to some of your props. What determines whether you choose to do that or not? Thanks!
Thanks! Sealer is used based on the type of paint. In the case of tombstones, they’re either acrylic or latex and that makes them weather resistant.
If it’s a lacquer or there will be multiple layers of weathering applied, I may use a sealer/clear coat just to lock in the paint prior to weathering just in case there’s a possibility for a weird reaction between the paints or the application of the top layer of paint may contaminate/loosen/dull earlier layers of paint.
Where do you find those giant foam blocks? How much do they normally run?
Depending on where you live you can find them at most big hardware stores in the insulation section.
Derek - have you ever considered hard-coating either with a thin layer of spray resin or alternatively with a painted on concrete layer? (but very thin)
I've hard coated using monster mud, which is concrete-like, but not with resin. It doesn't seem worth the effort or cost. Plus I don't know how the foam would handle to the exothermic reaction as the resin kicks.
Another terrific video, Derek! What foam did you use for the core part of the tombstone? It didn’t look like blue/pink, which I think you used to create the base layer. Yet it seemed to rout cleanly for the lettering. Thanks.
Thanks! It’s all XPS foam (aka foamular). They come in different colors based on the manufacturer.
@@VanOaksProps Thanks for the quick reply, Derek. Good to know!
Can this be used to lift the lid of a coffin ⚰️ like in the Haunted Mansion coffin in the attraction with the hands to the side of it
Simulating that the hands are lifting the lid
Absolutely! Check out this video where I used it to make a coffin lid - ruclips.net/video/WeRC6-YgUv0/видео.htmlsi=9xPwJGS3lTvRdaNY
Thank you
Do you use the free version of Adobe Illustrator or do you use the 20 dollar per month subscription??
I have the paid subscription.
Can you do doctor facilier's grave stone
Maybe some day
I'm sure you've been asked this multiple times, but how well does this technique hold up outside? Is it something that can last year round or just short term?
Which part? The foam, while rigid, isn’t designed for year round outdoor use, but if you hard coat it you’ll be able to. You’ll also want to seal the hard coat.
The acrylic paint is weather resistant, so it’ll withstand most types of weather, although it may fade with time. If you’re in an extreme heat area it’s possible for acrylic or latex paints to blister.
How much would you charge a client to create a tombstone like this?
Email me and we can discuss your project. My email is on the about page (not posting here because I don’t want it on spam email lists).
Which gorilla glue do you use extreme or polyurethane? Is it no foam or expand 3x into material?
Just the standard white or clear version.
@@VanOaksProps so it’s not waterproof or water resistant.
@@rayay9581 standard, white & clear gorilla glue is 100% waterproof according to their website.
@@VanOaksProps thanks now I just need to figure out Inkscape.
What kind of foam is that?
Xps insulation foam
Where can I get Epitaph's at ?????
I found reference images online and then traced them in Illustrator.
@@VanOaksProps OK Cool I'm going to take a Stab at Making my Own Tombstone this Halloween Season it's a Shame the Foam is so Dam Expensive 313 Until I D-I-E 💯
Can you do this using a Cricut ?
Yep!
You should get cricut to sponsor you much better way of using it. Your video is awesome love to try and make one some day.
Looks great but I get discouraged when I see people who give tutorials using specialty equipment stencil maker, cnc, etc.
I hear you. Everything I did with the stencil cutter can be done by printing out your epitaph on paper and tracing it into the foam with a pen or pencil, or you could cut the stencil by hand, so don’t let that stop you from bringing your ideas to life.
you should look at doing voiceover work my friend.
I’ve considered it.