How to Make A Realistic Stone Wall Out of XPS Foam (Ep. 186)

If you need a dungeon wall for a haunted house or scenery for a play, this is the video for you! No expensive tools--just a utility knife, XPS insulation foam, and craft paint. Turn a wall into a Hollywood movie set in just a few hours!
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[@thelawrenceshow]

You opened that utility knife like a 50’s greaser with a switchblade. I highly approve.

[@hondawilky]

“They say ‘chains?!’ We say ‘chains!’ They say ‘zip guns?’ We say ‘zip guns!’” - PDM, probably

[@gregoryrousseau5155]

Capiche!

[@ukebard]

When you’re a Jet, etc etc etc

[@anonymousdude9099]

That makes me wonder why we don't have '50s role playing. Not really, but...still. That.

[@knghtbrd]

@@anonymousdude9099 I dunno about 50s, but I knew someone who had a 20s mobster thing going on. Sure, guns were easy, and with a Tommy gun (which wasn't hard to get, maybe $40, which was a lot but … not really, think about $800 or so today), if you decided to ice someone, they were pretty much stone cold. But … consequences. Who, when, where, and why? How do you make sure there's no evidence for the cops, or that the cops ignore any they find? What about the feds? Some of them can't be bought, and killing feds attracts attention you don't want. The smart ones aren't afraid to kill some mook who needs killing, but … they don't just go around killing people, y'know? Murder is a good way to get yourself murdered, and brutal actions warrant brutal responses. The public doesn't care as long as the booze is flowing and the violence doesn't get out of hand, but there's people who want to take you down, and not all of 'em care how they do it, badge or not, know what I'm sayin'? Interesting world and mechanics, I get what he's going for and it was fun to have everybody playing bad guys… But it was really a challenge because you want to be carefully REALLY bad, but otherwise mostly almost kinda good sort of. Life expectancy was low for most characters, kind of like Paranoia … sort of a how far can you get scenario. And definitely not for everyone-part of an evil player campaign, no leveling up. Just money and power. And money can't buy everything, and gaining power just makes you a bigger target. It's about playing the game … money and power are just the ways you keep score.

[@JasonFuhrman]

Honestly, this looks so much better than the mural. The stones feel more authentic, plus you get the natural dimension since it actually has dimension.

[@ericjome7284]

Bravo! I particularly admired addressing the hiccups in the process.

[@lindybeige]

Promised link to pro cutting tool?

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Sorry. It's in the description now.

[@lindybeige]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 Thanks!

[@CausticCatastrophe]

Truly something every DM needs.

[@Wuvly]

3 years later, and this video finds me, right when i need to make a fake brick wall for a set I'm building. Thanks Professor!

[@roseann2599]

Amazing! I've been looking for this wall for about 4 years and here it finally is! and WAY less than wallpaper, as well as looking so authentic! Thank you so much.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Glad I could help!

[@100idb2]

Heck yeah! Extra video this week! Thanks PDM!

[@christophersievers2518]

You did a great job editing it from the original nightmare experience. Glad you put it up and hope it feeds the algorithm.

[@SnoddiesHobbies]

Now all you need is some torches or lanterns to sell that dungeon vibe! Great backdrop!

[@danielbayer2686]

Those led candles/torches give a pretty realistic flickering light. Would make and awesome addition, one on each side.

[@CarlosRodriguez-dd4sb]

Or maybe one of those 'torches' with a fan (see them up at Halloween) to mimic a flame.

[@michaelonak3356]

I never thought about doing something so large with the craft. Now I'm envisioning an entire modular room via velcro strips and pink foam. Youre in a forest, boom! The room for that setting is a forest like wall.

[@KnarbMakes]

That's probably the biggest piece of modular tiles I've ever seen. Very funny to see you use mini terrain building techniques on a real person scale.

[@almitrahopkins1873]

And every D&D player who spent time in the theatre on the technical side were watching this and seeing places you could have saved some time and effort. Good job on it.

[@s-o-tariknomad6970]

I actually described an area of a town as being like a German Expressionist Film from the 20s in my last D&D session. No one at my table had the foggiest idea what I meant.

[@andrewhinson4323]

Neither do German Expressionist filmmakers XD

[@dmbubb7359]

Couple of tips: I have two of the romech hot knives, 80 bucks each or so, they give you two blades with each knife, if you bend the shorter blade sideways so it is horizontal, you can use it to press/melt indentations in the foam (such as mortar lines), just don't bend the metal bands where they touch or sparks will fly. I might add, the romech's have a overheating automatic shut off, so don't freak out when it quits working, just let it cool down. Also, may want to get the 2" thick XPS sheets, as they don't warp over time and more dimension for your stone depth, price is around 25 compared to 10 for the half inch, but worth it imo. Lastly, cheap black spraypaint, the stuff you get for 99 cents a can, is great for texturing the XPS and as base coat when making the fake stone walls.

[@heathersharo5294]

I can’t believe this video is 3 years old and I just found it. I’ve been wanting to add a stone wall in my bedroom and this is the perfect example of how to do that on a budget! Thank you Professor

[@Escorpius17]

Shared in my game group AND my film & theater group. Keep rolling 20's.

[@farmhouseontherock]

You can also use a torch or heated tool to toughen the edges. It works pretty fast too. Looks great

[@davidrose7938]

I helped at a local play last year. We used a wood burner tool to melt the edges to make imperfect edges. Recommend ventilation if you do that. Looks great Professor!

[@azuretigers5562]

I recall that this video was a special request from me !! It goes back to last year !! That is SO COOOOOOL !!!!

[@ScareTimeStudios]

I'm a Halloween Haunter, and the utility of this technique for what I do is bountiful. Great Video! --LJ

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Glad you found it helpful!

[@RodneyBudell-s3o]

It looks great! I built a small castle set in a TV studio. One touch that helps create even more realism, is to take a butane torch over the surface to create a multidimensional look. It gives a realism to the surface of each stone as opposed to being flat. Again, nice job!

[@seedmurda666]

Man that looks sick!! I wish someone was manufacturing panels already made like this. I’d buy them in a heartbeat.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Glad you liked it!

[@TheGrizzledGeek]

Another great vid PDM. I once did a wall like this and misjudged the brick size and had way too many that were way too small. Even with a foam cutter it took forever!

[@alteredrealitygames2936]

I am picturing a wall of tiny bricks.

[@TheGrizzledGeek]

@@alteredrealitygames2936 Not quite but close. It felt like a million tiny brick when I was carving them.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I was lucky to get this right.

[@RonRicho]

"Pretty good" ?? You are the master of the understatement. It's GREAT!

[@JakeVanDanger]

This is exactly the affordable solution I've been looking for. I was considering concrete molds lol. This is far superior and easier to replace if damaged by a wayward chair back or +2 pool cue lol

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Yep!

[@cassiejo0012]

I accidentally ran across this video and it was exactly what I was looking for but didn't know it at the time. I was trying to find a video I had watched a couple days ago on how to make faux Stones and it was done with sheetrock mud. Although the Sheetrock mud is awesome, using the foam board is absolutely incredible because there's more depth and dimension to it and I am beyond happy that I stumbled across it. Thank you thank you thank you thank you. Incredible job.

[@FilmshooterOH]

I've been waiting for this one. Thanks!!!

[@israelmorales4249]

awesome!. the way you incert more about culture knowledge in your craft videos, amazing!

[@TheTroopersCorner]

Looks great! Really ties the room together man.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks! I love this video. Kind of bombed when it came out but is slowly continues to rack up views. Plus I'm glad it was helpful.

[@joshuaarmstrong2445]

I dig this wall.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thank you!

[@TookyG]

I'm not sure why but I always assumed the fake stonework covered the entire wall and it was your DM backdrop for your D&D games. The magic is gone. I will diminish and go into the west. No, seriously, amazing work!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I laughed out loud reading this.

[@mickeyj71hp]

That looks AMAZING!!!!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks!

[@louislapointe9601]

I'm a diorama dude that does stuff in small scale, that is really impressive. What a great idea.

[@tj_ruckus2112]

looks amazing .... totally doing this for my gaming room.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Added the hot knife to the description. You need one for a whole room.

[@j.f.5162]

My day is suddenly better! Thank you Professor

[@hopeful3505]

An excellent job at just the right time for me.Thanks

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Cool. I imagine this video will pick up more views when haunted house season starts. This is one of the best things I’ve made.

[@seileurt]

That is an amazing garage.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks!

[@emessar]

Foam is old school set decoration material. A lot of the old STTOS sets for example were created from big chunks of carved foam and painted (and probably those old monster movie sets too). It looks great. Keep up the good work.

[@davidlanier2290]

Nice job. I build tons of sets. Have been in theater for decades

[@JesseJerdak]

I’m so irritated! I was going to make this same video, but it was going to be way worse! Now I gotta credit you when I make one of these for my channel and I’m all salty about it!🤣🤣 Just messing man, this is fantastic! I have a foam cutter I use for terrain. I’ll let yah know how it goes!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Hey Jesse. Sorry for responding so late. My video would have been a LOT better if I had better lighting. So you have my blessing. I can’t wait to see how you do it!

[@viper2148]

I just came back from Universal Orlando Harry Potter World and as I was waiting in line for Hagrid's Motorbike ride I kept looking around and thinking I'd love to do my staircase like this. Awesome!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Lol! True story--I waited on that line and I was thinking the same thing! The ride broke down so I never got to ride it, but I have tons of pictures of that set!

[@viper2148]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 👍best video on this topic I’ve found. Well done!

[@jimeronimo]

Loved the Bob Ross nod. Good stuff brother

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks!

[@randalfgraybeard1880]

Very cool! I'm having grandiose visions of an Ultimate Dungeon Man Cave!!

[@m_d1905]

This looks great!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I appreciate you saying so. Pass it on!

[@baldrage2912]

Tune in for next week's episode when PDM builds a life-size replica of Castle Ravenloft out of cardboard and dollar store foam core.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Lol. Good one.

[@anthonysalinas6639]

Great tips doing large walls like this 😬❤️

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks! So glad you found this video helpful.

[@RyanRoat]

To avoid unwanted streaking with the spray, start from the bottom and work up. I personally used this technique while washing tombstones in cemeteries. Dirty water running down dry stone can leave streaks that are very hard to remove. I'm guessing a similar effect happens with the wash spray, although a few of the streaks look like natural weathering, which is lifelike.

[@emiliebrown3558]

Hey there. So when you talk about priming with mod podge and black acrylic paint are you talking about mixing the two together then painting the foam with that?

[@jamesavery9584]

Looks great!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks!

[@punksnotdeaditsconservativ1693]

If you ever do a project similar to this again, I would suggest beveling the edges or your stones before they are glued to the bottom board. It would make it a bit less tedious, plus they are all individual pieces anyway.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I agree. The challenge for me was/is I could not envision the entire project as separate blocks. I had to lay out the whole thing to "see" the end product. Which is not the best way to work, but my skills are mid.

[@karencrawford9227]

It almost looks like it is rounded sitting behind you. Like you are sitting in a round niche. I like it!. I must do this in my D&D game room!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You should!

[@coleyounger8655]

Awesome video this week, the glue advice i think is the best thing i got from your video today. I think you forgot about the link for the hot wire tool?

[@Spectrulus]

Well, when I get my den going, I'm going to use your tips and cover all the walls with this. It looks awesome and you explained it succinctly. Thanks Professor!

[@kirkhemmings8234]

Love everything beautiful

[@UbernostrumPrime]

Ooh, wash in a spray bottle! I'm gunna have to try that for the several-hundred piece set of cave tiles I just primed.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Try a finer spray bottle--but yes, it should work.

[@joelcaron8291]

The 1st B&W picture from an old flick is from « The Cabinet of Dr Caligari », wich is a must watch ! Thanxxx PDM for another great video

[@timleeds4346]

I always enjoy your videos. D and D with my son has been so much fun thanks to you and your channel.

[@MrsNiz1]

Great tutorial!!! Love this!!!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@bryanswift6301]

Love it! My game room in our new house must have this.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

YES!

[@garyjohnston4361]

amazing wall

[@abbierayne]

Is there an alternative foam/material you could recommend that would do the same? The wall looks amazing!! 🙏

[@N.KayLord]

Very cool. Building a castle for Halloween.

[@UnderArea51]

Beautiful wall!!

[@ianwhite6996]

It does look really good.

[@TheConfessor]

I' support your patreon and LOVE knowing that you put this level of work and attention to detail and quality in your production. Bravo, good sir!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Much appreciated!

[@PathfinderBill]

Always a treat with a Dungeon Craft video on lunch break 🙂 Amazing job on the wall!!

[@schafer2684]

Your result looks great! I'm planning to do a small wall with opening into a small food pantry area. I hope mine turns out as nice as yours.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I did it again recently for a Christmas door decorating contest at my school. I can confirm you'll get similar results.

[@zacksporen]

LIFE-SCALE TERRAIN. HELL YES.

[@kokopellihiker1]

Love this (and the Bob Ross reference). Thanks for the video!

[@Violetrueblue]

This looks so good

[@kargandarr]

Walmart has a cheap cutting tool for foam now. I have seen it several times and is a short wire about four to six inches in length in a handle the size of a soldering iron handle.

[@Streetsam]

Wall is cool but that chair is great! :]

[@rickeymariu1]

I can't wait to do a whole room of my house like that

[@HiddenHog]

Great video Professor! Glad to see how the wall was made!

[@miramarto]

The Dungeon Wall of Dr. Caligari!

[@tomdulski3729]

Looks amazing

[@maxwilson7001]

So if I wanted to make this, but I wanted to make an industrial steel wall instead, how would you suggest going about that? How about painting and texturing? Could I replace the foam with cardboard squares to give it a paneled look?

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

I’d buy 5x5 panels & Gorilla Glue them to the steel, starting from the floor and working my way up. Then I’d carve them. Cardboard will look like cardboard. Even close up, my wall looks like stone.

[@maxwilson7001]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 No wait, I don't actually have a steel panel. XD I just want to make the smooth sheet of foam look like steel. I have no experience in painting foam. Do you just brush house/craft paints directly on there? I know not to use aerosol paints.

[@adultstuffonly6579]

After seeing your video, I'm going to try and do an entire room like this. This will be in a home theater next to the man cave and I believe the acoustics in the room will be great! Making this more of a "Dracula's Castle" than D&D. This is the best video on this subject on KZbin. Excellent job!

[@nickm9027]

This is awesome!! Well done!!

[@THAC0Factor]

Very Excellent Presentation. I was thinking something along those lines for the Background when I around to finishing my Cave Studio.

[@christopherkearney6477]

Awesome video as usual Pro. DM. I am in the middle of preparing for a garage to msn-cave conversion for gaming. I loved your idea and you made it look fairly easy. I do have one question. How do you adhere the completed foam piece to your wall? With glue? Or do you not ? Anyway I’ve been watching your show for a very long time now and it just keeps getting better and better. Thanks for giving me something fun and interesting to enjoy as well as a break away from the sad reality our country is experiencing. I appreciate it more than you will probably ever know.

[@Runehammer1]

so good

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Lol. This video bombed when I put it out but has steadily racked up 80k and it's always in my top 10.

[@kevinmarston6005]

Wow!!! That looks great...About to build me a cave 😁

[@rob-donald6190]

Amazing thanks for the idea!! I want to do my whole game room like this!!

[@arcaniswithertree4284]

Thank you I found this very thought-provoking. I want to do this in my game room for my walls. Do you have any thoughts on wall sconces?

[@jessecollier3941]

excellent job

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thank you!

[@photogijoehero]

Love this!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Love you loving this!

[@thathertonfuels8355]

I use the same material when I make dioramas and have been wanting to do this for a room. I find hot glue is the best for this foam.

[@sirkharuse1153]

So awesome!!! Well done!

[@sirguy6678]

Great video! Who says gaming is only done in 28mm? PDM brings crafting creativity to the real world!

[@ysmtstudio6337]

Could I use this same sort of technique around a circular wishing well set piece for a show? What do you recommend when using this foam to cover a circular round surface

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Sure. Just glue the poly directly to the surface with Gorilla glue & prime it. Lay the stones one at a time so you can contour them with curve.

[@ysmtstudio6337]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 thank you!!!!

[@Karlmakesstuff]

That looks fantastic! The detailing and the paintwork are top notch, I didn't expect to see you achieve that with a sponge :O

[@b5b6y]

But this is incredible!

[@jazzCFB]

stone wall out of xps foam? that's old news... *Dungeon Craft makes a definitely-not-typical-diorama sized wall* I TAKE IT ALL BACK!! I WANT THREE OF THOSE :D

[@lonestarr1843]

Once again Professor, a dope video. 👍

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Much appreciated

[@RandomSmellyBubble]

Was sent here from tiktok love this tech. I will for sure use this.

[@brambhai4877]

Excellent job! What material did you use behind the stone? Is it still pink foam board?

[@vesperschake6241]

Nice wall

[@shonamagouyrk9575]

Damn great job! I'm gonna try it

[@LazyVideosGAME]

"I would build a great wall, and no one builds walls better than me, believe me, and I'll build them very inexpensively." - Professor Dungeonmaster, maybe :D