DIY ULTRA Realistic Halloween Tombstones!

In this Halloween how-to I'll show you how to make an ULTRA realistic Halloween tombstone from foam. Learn all my secrets to creating the most believable tombstones around.
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#VanOaksProps

[@gregoryleuelling3826]

There will never ever be too many tutorials on tombstone carving. Each stone build is unique, and something new is learned every time.

[@lindaxwrenoh]

such a criminally underrated channel, gatdang

[@brianahawkins8124]

That looks so awesomely real.

[@MROC66]

I think you being "THAT GUY" is why we all watch your videos. that attention to detail if what separates you from the pack.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks for watching!

[@christinadavison2783]

Nice stone! One of my favorite techniques is using water and a blowtorch. I tend to get a little heavy handed as I enjoy it a little too much, ha ha! Your paint staining looks great. Thanks for sharing!

[@torsloke]

That looks amazing. I’m inspired to try something based on something you said. I’m going to do the spray paint on the stencils, but intentionally too close. It might make a cool effect if the tombstone is so old that that aging has crumbled where the letters were carved.

[@ImNotBoredImCreative]

The water and blowtorch touch is amazing!

[@space65_72]

And this is why we are friends! Outstanding as always!

[@MadMagicianGaming]

It looks so good! I'm glad the two washes were slightly different colors. I think that's important with aging. I also think it could have used a small spritzing of a lighter color because sometimes aged stone has some light spots. That or a small amount of light colored dry brushing. But that's just a small nitpick. The finished result looks incredible

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you! I used to dry brush over the top but found that it really muted the weathering. Plus I’ve never really seen a similar look on real tombstones.

[@Jeff_M_1969]

Yeah, you’re that guy all right… I thought I’d seen it all where these are concerned, yet you somehow managed to improve upon the process IMO. Final look is pretty amazing and I definitely took some notes. 😬 Cheers, Mr Van Oaks!

[@mabelregimal5407]

Your work is spectacular! You must design props for the movie industry.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!

[@horses2by]

Wow fantastic 🪦 awesome job

[@HotPawsCreations]

Love the design and epitaph! Thanks again

[@michaelmeneghetti5794]

Great stuff, as usual. I like the lettering enhancement.

[@cem1838]

Another great project! Your weathering skills are amazing. Thanks for posting!

[@OakLaneCemetery]

Might have to make me one of those plexiglass plates for my Dremel. I find myself having to bridge large gaps sometimes and that would really help out vs doing it with just the router guide like I do now.

[@brianmoeller3539]

Always make sure to use acrylic or latex based paints. Early in my tombstone making career I made the mistake once of grabbing an oil based paint in my collection because I needed the color. I was using it for weathering, which goes on fine. The problem is any additional paint over it after it dries, does not adhere. So areas that were not touched by the oil paint would get darker and more weathered, while the areas that had oil paint remained the same color.

[@crocholiday]

Hands down the best DIY tombstone tutorials out there. I followed this method a few times now with amazing results. Another great paint to use for the base sealing coat is masonry / foundation paint. Many brands are tintable and you can get them sand already added which adds to the stone look. Not sure how cost effective it is vs. tinting and sanding yourself. It had me at open can, stir and apply haha. Texturing is the fun part for me. I've been applying my aging with sponge brushes and will usually layer the colors several times and dry brush over that with a lighter color to give a sun bleached marble kind of look. Last is hitting it with a clear sealer to protect the colors. This year I plan to do a few new ones as well as redo some of my favorite store bought ones including thickening them and adding PVC sleeves for rebar stakes. So much fun.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks so much!

[@costumesforalloccasions]

Awesome job, Derek!

[@webzterd]

Always inspired by these, but struggle with fhe closed cell foam supply in the UK. Best availability seems to be foil backed and more costly than habing another child.😊

[@kurtkyre]

Man, I always love your tutorial vids! I need to get back to my workshop...

[@VanOaksProps]

Glad you like them!

[@meloneeleddington7664]

Looks amazing, you are so talented.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks so much 😊

[@pennst1179]

Super cool design and I love the epitaph!

[@VanOaksProps]

Glad you like it!

[@juneritchie2498]

Such great techniques. Many thanks for sharing your secrets! 👏

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks for watching!

[@ellasscraps7734]

Love it blessings from Australia

[@pam78burden60]

That turned out awesome!!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!

[@ZenHulk]

You just referred me to this video from instagram, i watched this and missed the rotory shield, because sometimes in my workshop i listen while working, thanks, buying.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks for the order!

[@rexcowart7420]

Great job as always!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!

[@theloststoryteller9288]

Just wow. You make it look easy. :)

[@tjkoker]

Outstanding work! Keep at it. Cheers!

[@joen8529]

Great video! Unfortunately I missed the live… if you actually see this… Why masonry sealer and not just latex paint?

[@VanOaksProps]

Because of the texture & body of the paint. You could use latex paint too, I just prefer the Drylok

[@joen8529]

@@VanOaksProps Oh, nice! That’s great thinking. Thanks for the response man, I appreciate it!

[@rcredmon]

Looks great. I really need to make some new ones. I made a few several years ago but they didn't last the season, due to heavy wind and the wrong kind of glue.

[@scottlymbery7948]

Another great video, cheers!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@davidshareefChTPhD]

That looks amazing😊

[@mikesando7766]

Great tutorial, going to try this paint wash. I had trouble getting greens and browna to show on mine.

[@vectorwolf]

If you don't have a dremel/routing tool, you can 'engrave' an epitaph by using a stick on stencil that covers the 'high' areas and spraying it with spray paint, intentionally letting it eat away what's uncovered. This gives a more rounded depression, but it's good for very old looking stones. This method is also extremely good for making large faux brick walls because the 'grout' is very realistic.

[@SoulofHalloween]

Thank you for coming home to Halloween.

[@Ron-zu3qp]

Dude that's awesome!! You've got a new subscription for this.. 👊🏼😎🤘🏼

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks for the sub!

[@colemyst]

Perfect!

[@montibass]

Thank you for another great video. Have you ever made a video about making the rotary base plate? I feel like, while not a spectacular, crowd pleasing piece of information, this would be a game changer. I'd love to make one....or if you sell them, buy one. :)

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you! I do sell them in my etsy shop and there's a link to them in the video description.

[@Skoden_lures]

Stupendous as always!!

[@kenmadland8910]

Excellent video as always. Thank you!

[@VanOaksProps]

My pleasure!

[@thechurchofdave]

Well done man. Good voice work as well.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you kindly!

[@rozyan3118]

This is amazing! By the way, if I may ask, what’s the brand of paintable caulk you use? And in your monument video, I saw you used blue foam. What’s the difference between the blue and the pink?

[@VanOaksProps]

I use Dap Alex Flex paintable caulk. As for the blue and pink foam they're the same, it's just two different manufacturers (pink is from Owens Corning, blue is by Dow).

[@_Studio184_]

The next time you're doing an aged tombstone use some cheap black spray paint, but spray it super close. The solvents will eat away the foam and also leave the letters black. The errosion lightly affects the letterform edges, but just enough to look old. Then you can skip all the work of routing, sanding and painting and do something else with those 8 hours. We did a series of 77 numbered tombstones using the spray paint to chemically etch the foam and it saved a weeks worth of time. If you do a lot of aged tombstones and have a sprayer, you can spray your own paint/acetone ratio to tweak the amount of etching. For an alternate look, you can also use the vinyl letters as a mask rather than a stencil. If you place the vinyl letters inside of a taped area and spray the whole area, you get raised leters against a textured relief which works really well even on tombstones not meant to be look old. Another thing you can try if you are texturing a large number of tombstones or wall flats is to mix some acetone into your base coat so you skip the heat texturing, which can be slow for larger areas. If you have to use propane for larger areas, a weed burner attachment lets you cover a lot of ground much faster.

[@VanOaksProps]

Great tips.

[@603VIL]

I never get tired of seeing Tombstone videos. I was surprised that you went with a different brand of masonry sealer. Normally, I've seen you use Drylock. Also, what do you recommend for weatherproofing the finish? And, did you add PVC to the base for mounting over rebar? Thanks for sharing.

[@VanOaksProps]

If you’re using drylok or latex paint you don’t need an additional sealer. As for mounting, this tombstone is going to have some additional animatronics and so the base & installation will be a bit different.

[@ashleyvanblarcum1884]

Do you have a video on how you get it to stay in the ground and not fly away?! 😊

[@VanOaksProps]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqbcm6OOasdoprM

[@shannonluster5083]

Deeply cool

[@ResinBelle]

That is deliciously good! Thanks for sharing!

[@VanOaksProps]

My pleasure

[@NOYFB982]

It would great if you could let us also know things like which glue you use.

[@VanOaksProps]

Links in the video description.

[@NOYFB982]

@@VanOaksProps You rock! Thank you!! Love your work.

[@kjohnsonleedap]

Great tutorial as usual! Wondering if you have any tips on creating realistic lichen to add to a tombstone?

[@VanOaksProps]

I’ve been meaning to try this idea I had where you’d put a drop of acrylic paint on the tombstone and then blow on it through a straw to get it to fan out. I haven’t tried it but I think it could work with some practice.

[@gunnarbiker]

I'm late to the part but love the final product, as always!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks!

[@ashleya8532]

Looks so good! The detail! UGH! I wish! haha. You really do inspire and make me feel like I wanna get up and make something cool. Thanks for sharing!

[@VanOaksProps]

You can do it!

[@gregorymotta3296]

NOICE!

[@JohnnyQuaykersBelmont]

Another great looking prop! Thanks again!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Awesome stuff as always bro!!

[@patriciahenderson2375]

Have you done a video where you grab a premade tombstone and made it better? Lowe’s has some great examples this year. I bought the 4Ft. black crow tombstone made of a resin composite material that is a very flat black. I can’t figure out how to make it better! Do you have anymore examples to share?

[@VanOaksProps]

I haven’t.

[@brbailey]

I was expecting the white dry brush at the end.

[@VanOaksProps]

That's how I'd done it in the past, but I've stopped because it takes away all the characters in the paint wash

[@timcole-]

That was phenomenal. Insta sub

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!!

[@rickarchambault4756]

Instead of a dedicated palm router, could you use your Dremel with the plunger router attachment to cut in those base pieces?

[@VanOaksProps]

I don’t think they make decorative bits like those for rotary tools, but if you had the desire to create that look using a rotary tool you absolutely could.

[@rickarchambault4756]

They do have some smaller decorative bits on Amazon but I'm not sure they'd be as good.

[@AuntieVeraCharles50]

Can't wait to see it in person on our annual pilgrimage to see your decorations each Halloween. It's a good excuse to make the trek from Woodland Hills out there so we can see your house and then get ribs from Doctor Hogly Wogly's Tyler Texas BBQ! ;-)

[@VanOaksProps]

This one is for a subscriber, so it won’t be at our place. But you’re welcome to come by to see the “regulars” in our cemetery.

[@wolfman75]

Awesome Job!!! That's Amazing Details!!!! Thank You For Showing A Different Way Of Making Tombstones!!! 👏👍💯😃👊😎

[@VanOaksProps]

My pleasure!!

[@prothrotom]

Very nice. I get so many great tips here. I thought you had an X-Carve, why use the Dremel instead of the X-Carve?

[@VanOaksProps]

The dremel is faster for me.

[@TheDarthBobul]

As always, amazing. What is the width dimensions on your vinyl cutter?

[@VanOaksProps]

12 inch

[@MichelleL1st]

That is amazing. What do you recommend to stake the tombstone into the ground? October in Southern Alberta, Canada can be extremely windy. Thank you.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks! Here's how I stake my tombstones: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqbcm6OOasdoprM

[@MichelleL1st]

@@VanOaksProps Thank you so much for sharing the link.

[@BellaRigelOrion]

I came for the props, but damn, do you have a great voice! I imagine people tell you that all the time-curious if you do voice acting.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you! I’m not a voice actor but I’m open to the opportunity.

[@zeusgyd422]

Looks awesome!

[@nategeorgenson5179]

After the acrylic paint dries, is it essentially waterproof? I plan to make some tombstones for outdoor decorations and I didn't know if the design needed to be sealed afterwards to be kept outside

[@VanOaksProps]

Yes. It’s actually weather resistant after the masonry paint. The acrylic is a bonus layer of protection.

[@tammyh8694]

When will you have the 5” carving plate back in stock?

[@VanOaksProps]

Just updated the listing. They’re back in stock.

[@cameronwiemerslage]

What vinyl plotter do you use? And have you used a cricut or is it easier with the bigger plotter?

[@VanOaksProps]

I use the Silhouette Cameo, which is very similar to the Cricut. It's got a 12" wide cutting area, but if my epitaph is too big to fit I'll rotate it 90° and make multiple stencils.

[@thedadsgc]

I know you used 1 inch foam for the arch and base but what thickness did you use for the epitaph?

[@VanOaksProps]

2” for the main body.

[@Countryboy246]

Hi Derek you got any tips on a automated opening coffin sir looking to try n make my yard scary for next Halloween sir lol

[@VanOaksProps]

I don't have a video on it, but here's a great one from @eerieacrescemetery kzbin.info/www/bejne/d3WcZqZpj51lrM0si=UZTQjIZj6BoWUvda

[@Countryboy246]

@VanOaksProps ty sir just looking through your tomb stone videos lots information on them might try the broken 1

[@lawnmut81woo]

@vanoaksprops. Are you running workshops at Mid Summer Scream again?

[@VanOaksProps]

Yep! The workshop classes & schedule will be announced soon.

[@lawnmut81woo]

Awesome. Looking forward to the show. Let me know if you need help with any of the workshops.

[@TonyBullard]

What is the typeface you're using? I'm always on the hunt for good looking tombstone typefaces (not the cheesy "creepy" ones)

[@VanOaksProps]

I don’t recall but it’s nothing fancy.

[@jessicarawlings1993]

Do you have instructions on how you made your guide for your dremmel?

[@VanOaksProps]

I don’t. But they’re available in my Etsy store. Https://vanoaksprops.etsy.com

[@darenprescott1145]

I'm also in Southern CA and I am having a hard time finding the pink insulation sheets. Where do you get yours?

[@VanOaksProps]

Both Home Depot and Lowe’s have it near me.

[@SCG99]

Would a heat gun work instead of the blowtorch?

[@VanOaksProps]

It can, but it may take a bit longer. You’ll definitely want to test it out first.

[@rcjgku]

Curious about the hot wire table. Did you make that or buy it?

[@VanOaksProps]

I won it from the nice folks at hotwirefoamfactory.com

[@toowace01]

What make of vinyl cutter is that? Thank you

[@VanOaksProps]

It’s a silhouette cameo

[@hardiehardley]

Boss man Oaks. Can you recommend a UK alternative for Drylok?

[@VanOaksProps]

If it's just for coating tombstones, you can use exterior house paint with a bit of sand mixed into it for texture.

[@hardiehardley]

@@VanOaksProps Cheers bud! We don't have latex based sealers here.

[@chasehalloween9]

i’d love to start this, can i use a air brush instead of paint tho?

[@VanOaksProps]

Sure, although the airbrush paints won't run in the same way that spraying them on with a bottle will.

[@stalker42]

What size Dremel bit did you use for carving?

[@VanOaksProps]

It’s the #194

[@bascodelagamma]

👍

[@Bigworm928311]

Would you be so kind to tell me where I can buy the foam to make these tombstones. I looked at HomeDepot and can’t seem to find. Can you provide information please. Love your work

[@VanOaksProps]

I’d check Lowe’s. They had it near me.

[@603VIL]

So I'm looking to make a wall in my room to replicate the look of a Galaxy's Edge stone wall. I'm thinking of using this method. However, I'm curious to know if this method with give the foam a solid coat that feels like stone. Ive heard tile mortar works great for hardcoating foam, but i also dont want to lose any of that stone detail that comes from the water and torch method. Any recommendations? Thanks for sharing.

[@VanOaksProps]

You could follow this exact method and use the same masonry sealer (Drylok Original) to paint it and give it that stone-like texture. Plus you can have the Drylok tinted to a sandy color of your choosing.

[@603VIL]

@VanOaksProps Looking into this as we speak. Yeah, I'm seeing that it comes in a sand or beige color. I think the sand color will be a perfect color for the base. Thanks a ton!

[@VanOaksProps]

@@603VIL or you can just get white and pick a color swatch from the wall and they’ll tint it for you.

[@gravemarker]

I thought you used dryloc to paint with.

[@VanOaksProps]

That’s correct

[@QUEERPASSBAYERN]

Hello, great job - I like your 👓Brille - what model and Brand is it? Cheers Mario

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks! They're from Fytoo and the style is called "noyes." Here's a link: shrsl.com/4kikp

[@QUEERPASSBAYERN]

Thanx - ordered 2 🤓😉

[@GaryGreenway]

Happy to see you back in Halloween mode

[@VanOaksProps]

Gotta change it up so that I don’t get burnt out on either of my favorites.

[@glennharris5043]

Do sell the epitaphs cut in the vinyl? Or do I have the files so we can download them and print them ourselves? You know give back to the community.

[@VanOaksProps]

I don’t currently.

[@glennharris5043]

@@VanOaksProps what brand vinyl cutter are you using so I can buy one?

[@VanOaksProps]

@@glennharris5043 I really like the Silhouette Cameo. I bought it over 10 years ago and use it a ton and it’s still working flawlessly.

[@glennharris5043]

@@VanOaksProps I can only find the cameo 5 so it will have to do. Thank you.

[@LordHog]

Waiting for the day when you get a CnC for efficiency

[@VanOaksProps]

I had one, but I didn’t find it to be as efficient as just hand carving with a rotary tool.

[@SummersideDiver]

I’m also the guy who likes to over think the details, and should consider the 10’ rule, but often focuses on the 10” instead.

[@deadmansgully9789]

What size width is your cutter 12” 24”?

[@VanOaksProps]

It’s the 16” hotwirefoamfactory.com/K03DPV-16in_Pro_Vari_HeatKit.html

[@deadmansgully9789]

@@VanOaksProps lol I meant the vinyl cutter width. But thanks for the foam cutter information.

[@VanOaksProps]

@@deadmansgully9789 ahh. It’s the 12” silhouette cameo

[@shannonstewart1271]

What are the dimensions of the tombstone?

[@VanOaksProps]

I don't recall exactly, but I want to say roughly 16" wide by 26" tall

[@shannonstewart1271]

@@VanOaksProps Thank you!

[@pecktox]

Like it..! ! Pewq