Help a guy with no artistic talent...

[oneshot]

So I built some cemetery fencing, just PVC and wood, but I don't just want to paint it totally flat black. Could anyone explain how I might make it look more realistic?

Should I sponge on a rust color in some spots, or do I put rust color on first then black over? Any input would be greatly appreciated.

Oneshot.

Edited to add, I did some research on Monster List, but they were all about the build, not really the "artsy" part. That's where I'm lacking...

[Dark Angel 27]

i've never done a cemetary fence before, but i think maybe you could paint it black or grey first. i think that the black would make any texturing you decide to use pop out a little more (balck is always a great backdrop to make other colors stand out more)

then over that i would paint the color you want your fence to be, and then here and there add some rust colored pain to make it look really old.

im sure there are some other haunters with more expericance then i have but there you have it.

[Mr_Chicken]

I like your rusty idea...don't think I've seen that before. I would go with the rust on top of the black. Use three or so different rusty colors and sponge where you want it...probably near the joints

[DarkLore]

Check out the following tutorial....

Rusty Sword Tutorial video by bxmas13 - Photobucket@@AMEPARAM@@http://vid96.photobucket.com/player.swf?file=http://vid96.photobucket.com/albums/l170/bxmas13/c19e4bca.flv@@AMEPARAM@@vid96@@AMEPARAM@@96@@AMEPA RAM@@l170/bxmas13/c19e4bca

Chicken has the right idea. Start with flat black (non shiny). Then layer with dry brush technique or sponge....rusty colors. Or...use a method similar to the sophisticated finishes rust antiquing.

[BallstonManor]

Never say you're not artistic...that's the beauty of art: No one can say that it isn't art, or that it isn't good!

That said, if you're looking for some additional texture, try mixing some sand in with your black paint. Not necessarily a lot, just a little bit. Or you could bang up your PVC a little bit to give it that pitted look. Also, for some added realism, use your glue gun and run a bead of glue around the "joints" before you paint it. Once they're painted, they'll look just like welds.

[Dixie]

As soon as I saw your question, I thought of one really good fence I had seen recently, and was going to point you in the direction of the Haunt Forum member that completed it, StevesHauntedYard (http://www.hauntforum.com/member.php?u=2367), but it appears he doesnt have his 2009 pics up yet.... So I'm gonna have to resort to stealing :)

This is his fence, and I adore it, thought it might give you an idea of what the black paint with rust paint sponged on (Like Mr.C talked of above) looks like. Steve.... I hope you don't mind!!

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p390/mydawnie/Cemeterycolumnandfence005.jpg

http://i345.photobucket.com/albums/p390/mydawnie/Cemeterycolumnandfence006.jpg

[oneshot]

Well thanks everyone! Any time I ask a question on here, everyone is so helpful (and quick to reply).

After the baby goes to bed tonight, I'll try and finish my first one, and I'll put up some pics for critique...

[st gabriels]

hey oneshot..... the rust and gray are primer colors, to start. it sounds kinda like the same fence that i've got in my yard. i used a few gray's and (primer red) rust, then i used flat and gloss in combination, to look like it is weather worn....... lighter gray sprayed sporadically, will give you a powery weatherd look...

[oneshot]

Well, I'm almost embarrassed to show my little fence, but it's just the first of 18, and I want it to look rickety...

http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/oneshotveth/fence.jpg
http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y279/oneshotveth/rust.jpg

I know the fence will not be the focus, just want to get better at making things more realistic.

Critiques/comments welcome.

Oneshot

[Mr_Chicken]

Looks good. I would exaggerate it a bit...remember it's going to be dark

[Dr Frankenscream]

Here's my cemetery fence that I built 3 years ago. The "before" picture shows what it looked like without paint. The "after" picture shows it painted and set up in my yard.

I started with a flat black base coat using a spray gun (I built sixteen 8ft sections) and then used a sponge to apply two different rust colors (terra cota and light cinnamon).

Lots of people will walk up and touch it to see if it's real.

Before paint:
900
After paint:
901

[Bone Dancer]

The last couple of days I been painting some plastic chain to look old and rusty. I start with a base of flat black since that what it would be if it were new. Then I spray a lite layer of primer red, not to cover it all but just to add a uneven layer. Next an even thinner and uneven layer of a medium tan. Lastly I go back over it all with a thin layer of flat black to cover any areas I think are to red or to tan. Except for the base flat black layer, I spray the paint from a distance of 12 to 18 inches away. Just misting it.
So I am using three colors, flat black, primer red, and tan.

[st gabriels]

it's looking really good!!!

[Spookie]

Dr. Frankenscream, I really like the look of your fence. Reminds me of New Orleans for some reason. Do I recognize the top of the fence to be plastic yard edging material? I saw something very similar to it I think at BIG LOTS last week. I had picked up something a bit different for my haunt fence but now that I see yours I have to admit I think I may like it better. Very nice job and I can see how neighbors might have wondered if it was real or not.

[Uruk-Hai]

I like your fence oneshot. Like Mr. Chicken said don't be afraid to exaggerate the rust, it has to show up at night under haunt lighting. Like others I started with a flat black base and then sponged on a darker browny rust colour and then added spots of a lighter rust colour. Here's some pics.

http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/images/projects/fence-10.jpg

http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/images/projects/fence-11.jpg

http://www.hectorturner.com/halloween/images/projects/fence-9.jpg

You could think about painting the skulls to match to make them cook like cast iron finials and part of the fence. Just a thought.

Also, if you want the fence to look old and rickity make some of the sections bent or out of alignment on purpose to really get that old broken down look.

[Dr Frankenscream]

Dr. Frankenscream, I really like the look of your fence. Reminds me of New Orleans for some reason. Do I recognize the top of the fence to be plastic yard edging material? I saw something very similar to it I think at BIG LOTS last week. I had picked up something a bit different for my haunt fence but now that I see yours I have to admit I think I may like it better. Very nice job and I can see how neighbors might have wondered if it was real or not.

Spookie...yes, I bought the plastic garden trim at Big Lots.