DIY ULTRA Realistic Halloween Tombstones!

[@gregoryleuelling3826]

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

[@_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.

[@brianahawkins8124]

That looks so awesomely real.

[@lindaxwrenoh]

such a criminally underrated channel, gatdang

[@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!

[@ImNotBoredImCreative]

The water and blowtorch touch is amazing!

[@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.

[@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!

[@space65_72]

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

[@cem1838]

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

[@paprikaphd]

Always love your tutorials. I will comment, though, for those of us who are less steady handed than you, I always insert the PVC pipe in the bottom of the tombstone before I put all the effort into carving and weathering it. That way, I don’t waste so much time on something if the drill ends up going out the back of the tombstone. I’m guessing that doesn’t happen to you, but for the rest of us, I found it to be helpful.😊

[@VanOaksProps]

Yes, absolutely.

[@michaelmeneghetti5794]

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

[@HotPawsCreations]

Love the design and epitaph! Thanks again

[@traceymsu4516]

Amazing! Thank you for the step by step instructions- I may skip some technical steps but your tutorial gave me a few ideas on creating the tombstones. Great Job.

[@VanOaksProps]

Glad it was helpful!

[@kelgentry66]

Great Video. Thanks for explaining the paint mix, that really helped a lot. I also made a plate for my Dremel. That is the best thing ever! My first three were Hocus Pocus and they were difficult to do because of the hair outline was large. But for my first time, they tuned out pretty well. I'm so hooked now. Your work is awesome and I'm learning a lot for you! I defiantly want to try this one.

[@katelights]

I made a hot wire cutter like that as an attachment to my table saw. I can use the table saw fence to do straight lines and even resaw 2" foam down to 1"

[@VanOaksProps]

That's clever!

[@amandabarbaree5425]

So good! Everyone has their own way of doing these and they all come out really good. I have to say that this one is my favorite way of doing it. I learned a lot on this tutorial and I'm excited to try it out!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you so much!!

[@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.

[@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.

[@mikesando7766]

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

[@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.

[@pennst1179]

Super cool design and I love the epitaph!

[@VanOaksProps]

Glad you like it!

[@horses2by]

Wow fantastic 🪦 awesome job

[@tjkoker]

Outstanding work! Keep at it. Cheers!

[@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.

[@davidfromtexas9681]

Really been enjoying your videos. Post Covid we just haven’t been getting large numbers of truck or treaters but I’m keeping the Halloween tradition going no matter! Got some great ideas from your channel!

[@meloneeleddington7664]

Looks amazing, you are so talented.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks so much 😊

[@kurtkyre]

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

[@VanOaksProps]

Glad you like them!

[@theloststoryteller9288]

Just wow. You make it look easy. :)

[@juneritchie2498]

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

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks for watching!

[@Darcaster]

Stupendous as always!!

[@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!

[@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!

[@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.😊

[@pam78burden60]

That turned out awesome!!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!

[@SlickSouxie177]

This is incredible!!! Love it

[@costumesforalloccasions]

Awesome job, Derek!

[@JohnnyQuaykersBelmont]

Another great looking prop! Thanks again!

[@johnwest5239]

You have skills looks awesome!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you very much!

[@ellasscraps7734]

Love it blessings from Australia

[@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!

[@rexcowart7420]

Great job as always!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!

[@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).

[@scottlymbery7948]

Another great video, cheers!

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@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.

[@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

[@Given2Fly7173]

“HALLOWEEN STONES WITH CASEY KASSUM!!” 😂😂

[@VanOaksProps]

And the weekly top 40!

[@jackashcraft47]

When I first heard his voice I said " I'm Casey Kassim and here's your next diy video". Lol

[@VanOaksProps]

@@jackashcraft47 🤣

[@wolfman75]

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

[@VanOaksProps]

My pleasure!!

[@colemyst]

Perfect!

[@TheSmugglersRoom]

Awesome stuff as always bro!!

[@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.

[@steveminla]

What is a good way to "attach/stand" them up in yard??

[@VanOaksProps]

How To Setup Your Halloween Tombstones kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqbcm6OOasdoprM

[@ResinBelle]

That is deliciously good! Thanks for sharing!

[@VanOaksProps]

My pleasure

[@VirgoSun23]

This is amazing! I'll have to try this, if not this year (due to health reasons), definitely next! ❤

[@VanOaksProps]

Here’s to feeling better!

[@jasonbrown24]

How do you break down the 4x8 sheet? Hotwire table? Hacksaw? Table saw? Circular saw?

[@VanOaksProps]

All of the above will work, but I switch between circular saw and pull saw.

[@davidshareefChTPhD]

That looks amazing😊

[@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.

[@justinparker716]

Amazing! How do you suggest keeping the tombstone attached to the ground so it doesnt blow away in the wind? Also will this be fine to leave out in the rain? Thanks so much!

[@VanOaksProps]

Here’s how we keep our tombstones from blowing away kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqbcm6OOasdoprM Once they’re painted you can absolutely leave them out.

[@Ron-zu3qp]

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

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks for the sub!

[@thechurchofdave]

Well done man. Good voice work as well.

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you kindly!

[@scarlettpeach9]

Hi! Help! Love your videos! My husband and I made a set of our own but we are stumped on if we need to seal it and with what. We live in Indiana so our weather can be wet and windy. We did a coat of Dry Lock but it is underneath the acrylic paint. Let us know? Thank you!!

[@VanOaksProps]

Both Drylok and acrylic paints are weather resistant. So you're all set.

[@gunnarbiker]

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

[@VanOaksProps]

Thanks!

[@mabelregimal5407]

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

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you!

[@shannonluster5083]

Deeply cool

[@eg6194]

It looks AMAZING! I always clear-coat mine afterward. Is this overkill? I'm assuming since you didn't do it, it's unnecessary (?)

[@SoulofHalloween]

Thank you for coming home to Halloween.

[@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.

[@stacyburgess1953]

You are so cool! And you sound like Casey Kasem 🤭

[@zeusgyd422]

Looks awesome!

[@batista7922]

nice work! what can be used instead of drylok. there are none in France.

[@VanOaksProps]

Exterior house paint with a bit of sand in it will give a similar appearance.

[@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.

[@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.

[@kenmadland8910]

Excellent video as always. Thank you!

[@VanOaksProps]

My pleasure!

[@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.

[@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.

[@WanderWave-j4j]

This is fantastic. Thank you for publishing this. Doing this now and have a quick question, I am stuck on the stencil. Can I ask what kind of vinyl you used please and how you transferred it? I have a CriCut but there are so many materials, new to stenciling. Thank you!

[@VanOaksProps]

I use Oracal 651 vinyl and it was transferred using transfer tape.

[@WanderWave-j4j]

@@VanOaksProps You rule. Thanks again!

[@mikericcardijr.5121]

Great job. Been following along working on my own. As it pertains to your paint mix, w hen you say one part, you mean one ounce correct?

[@VanOaksProps]

Thank you. When I say “one part” it’s a ratio. So if you needed 10 ounces of total liquid it would be 5 ounces of one and 5 ounces of another.

[@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.

[@LordPM27]

Very nice tutorial! What is the brown paint? When clicking on the brown acrylic paint link, it sends us to the black one, same as the black acrylic paint link. Thank you!

[@VanOaksProps]

Oops! Thanks for letting me know. Here's a link to the brown paint amzn.to/47SZoDS

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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.

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@skunked42]

Ok, so. I thought I did some good tombstones, whelp. I gots to get good it seems! Thanks!

[@TheDarthBobul]

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

[@VanOaksProps]

12 inch

[@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.

[@JacobTheRex]

How do you secure your tombstones to the ground?

[@VanOaksProps]

Like this: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oqbcm6OOasdoprM

[@JohnRaines-b3b]

What one part brown and green be I mean exactly how and how much is 10 to 15 parts of water

[@VanOaksProps]

They’re ratios that are determined by the total volume of liquid that you need. Those numbers are there as a guide and don’t need to be exact. It’s one of those things that as you do it more you get a better feel for how much paint and how much water you need.

[@ambertaylor8381]

Hi! Where did you pick up those great flourish dividers? I've been trying to find a good gothic style flourish but, can't seem to find one.

[@VanOaksProps]

There’s a section on dafont.com called “dingbats” that is nothing but shapes. It’s where most of those have come from.

[@edboomstick]

Two questions... What is the foam used in the video? And I would love to get the carving plate but it says it is unavailable. Would you be making anymore? Gotta say I'm in awe and totally inspired by this video.. pretty darn brilliant, man!

[@VanOaksProps]

I used XPS insulation foam. The carving plates will be available again in a few days.

[@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

[@JohnRaines-b3b]

Which bit is the round over bit?would like to incorporate that on my stone

[@VanOaksProps]

It looks like 1/4 of a circle

[@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.

[@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

[@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.