Newest gravestone--woohoo!

[Gothikim]

Cross-posted on Halloweenforum.com

I recently finished off my 1st real prop of the year, and boy am I glad to be done with it! The DH doesn't really care about handmade gravestones (he likes more mechanical props), so he's not much use for feedback...

http://www.halloweengallery.com/albums/userpics/10271/normal_pink%20stone.jpg

If the thumbnail turns out small, there are some closeups in my Halloweengallery folder here: http://www.halloweengallery.com/thumbnails.php?album=430

Any constructive criticism would be most welcome!

[gmacted]

Very nice! I love the detail. Is it made from styrofoam?

[DeathTouch]

That turned out rather well. I tried to find a flower to put on mine but I could find a picture like that.

[krough]

Very Nice Gothikim

[gypsichic]

great job!

[grapegrl]

Holy cow at the detail! That's beautiful!

[Gloomy_Gus]

Very nice indeed.

[Frighteners Entertainment]

Yes it is, nice color.

[Gothikim]

Thanks for the comments, y'all!

The stone is pink Dow foam from HD, and I based it on this stone: http://www.gravematter.com/morrill5.asp.

That website ( http://www.gravematter.com ) has dozens, if not hundreds, of pics of gravestones ranging from the 1600s to the early 1900s. There's a link to "Interesting Carvings" which includes a lot of ornate stones.

This pink stone and the one I'm working on now are both based on stones that I found on gravematter.com.

[Dr Morbius]

To bad you didn't enter that stone in the last contest! You would've KICKED ASS! LOL! I love that carving...Terrific job!

[Empress Nightshade]

Any constructive criticism would be most welcome!
I DO have some criticism.....
I don't think it's gonna look good in your yard, so I think you should send it to: PO Box 548, Carmichael, Califor......LOL!!!! ;)

That stone is SWEEEET!!

[TearyThunder]

Gothikim, It's stunning.....beautiful.......um......er......I don't know that to say. Congrats on a job beautifully well done!!!

[ScareFX]

Excellent work Gothikim.

[Gothikim]

To bad you didn't enter that stone in the last contest! You would've KICKED ASS! LOL! I love that carving...Terrific job!

I don't have 30 posts, so the timing was irrelevant, but I would've liked to have entered it! DOH!

[Hellrazor]

that stone is fantastic!!! i would have voted for yours too. I hope you enter the scarecrow contest

[slightlymad]

Very nice work

[Zombie-F]

Excellent paint job on this one! I really envy you people that know how to paint a tombstone. I can barely paint the shed, let alone do any faux stone painting.

[heresjohnny]

Great job, I love the weathering and paint job!

[Vlad]

I love the classics. I've always had a preference for realism in headstones. Well done.

[mrklaw]

great job. I hope no one steals it this halloween. My gravestones weren't even close as detailed as that and I was devastated.

[Fright Yard]

I like the detail and the color, way cool!

[turtle2778]

Seriously nice job GK...Wow...I LOVED THEM

[.id.]

Nice work! What methods did you use to detail it?

[Ugly Joe]

Great detail...on your other stones too, as well as this one.

and thank you for the link to the cemetary list...lots and lots of wonderful old headstones - I got lost looking at them for a little while...sure was fun.

[Gothikim]

Thanks so much for the compliments, guys. It means a LOT!

.id., I carved this one by hand with an Xacto, then I went over the finest details with my woodburning tool (with a really fine point). I sanded the bejeebees out of the edges and corners before any painting. I also sanded the design and lettering lightly to smooth out rough edges.

I use Fleckstone for my stones, but I suppose that what I use for aging & weathering would work on any flat or satin finish latex paint. In any case, after aging paint is applied, the stone will need to be coated with a clear protectant (Fleckstone makes one that I've been really pleased with) to keep rain from washing off the fruits of your labor!

I use diluted (VERY diluted) acrylic craft paint for all the shading. Black is too severe IMO, so I use gray with whatever colors are complimentary to the color of the stone. I apply the diluted paint with a dropper or small craft brush to the lettering and carved designs. I try to apply the paint anywhere that rain/dirt/dust would collect or stand and then where rain would run off, taking the dirt with it. For example, I fill the letters with paint then drag the brush down where rain would trickle down. I try to create shadows where there are depressions/cracks/nicks in the foam too (whether intentional or accidental :) ).

If I want lichen on a stone, I use a small piece of sea sponge to dab 2-4 colors on in random patterns from different angles.

Anyway, I HTH. I'm taking pics of the stone I'm working on as I go along, and I'll put those in my Halloween gallery once I'm finished.

[SpectreTTM]

great job. I hope no one steals it this halloween. My gravestones weren't even close as detailed as that and I was devastated.


Two Words ;)

"Stunt Stones"

I usually spend some crazy amount of time on my stones (> 40hrs each).

I usually put them out when I get home from work and take them in at night.

That means most of the time the Grave yard is empty. Kinda detracts from the display.
I rather do that than have all that work stolen or damaged.

This yr I'm gonna make up a bunch of stunt stones that take me 1/2 hr to do.

That way I'll have something out all the time and put my good ones out for Halloween
Night & Special Viewings by Friends and family.

Sorry for going off on a Tangent :(

Great work Gothikim. Very realistic. Must have taken you forever.

Thanks for sharing.

[Gothikim]

Stunt doubles--great idea!

[CerysCrow]

Wow! I'm impressed.

[dave the dead]

Very convincing....those stones really look good...how long did they take you? I think that detailed carving would drive me nuts, but what a finished product!