[Zombie-F]

Well, here is my entry into the contest. Personally, I'm not all that happy with how the paint came out on this prop. Painting is definitely a weakness of mine and I really have to learn some better techniques before I try to finish the crypt off.

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/Zombie-F/Romanian%20Tombstone/tombstone-15.jpg

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y32/Zombie-F/Romanian%20Tombstone/tombstone-16.jpg
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Here is the cost breakdown (paint and liquid nails have been pro-rated):

1/2 Sheet of 2" Foam: $7.04
1/6 Sheet of 1" Foam: $1.26
Tiny Amount of Liquid Nails: $0.20
1/4 Can flat white house paint: $2.62
Tiny bit of flat black house paint: $1.31
1/4 Can flat black spray paint: $1
1/4 Can grey spray primer: $1
3/8" T x 48" L Wooden dowel: $1.39
TOTAL COST: $15.82

After the contest, I may make an attempt at re-painting it with a base coat of a light grey and try adding weathering by hand with a slightly darker grey.

 

[DeathTouch]

Hey I like that Zombie. Is there any writing on that?

 

[Dr Morbius]

I really like the texture! I think the paint job is fine. Great job! I would like to see it with writing, That would really set it off!

 

[heresjohnny]

Hey Zombie-f, I like the paint job. It looks like there is a lot of fine grain crackling, I cannot tell from the picture if that is paint or texture, but I would like to know how you got that look.

 

[Hella]

very cool Zombie. and quick too!
I love the idea of this.

 

[Merlin (The Quiet One)]

Hey Zombie-F the tombstone looks great! The painting looks good in the picture. We're our own worst critics, ya know....Merlin (TQO)

 

[Zombie-F]

Hey Zombie-f, I like the paint job. It looks like there is a lot of fine grain crackling, I cannot tell from the picture if that is paint or texture, but I would like to know how you got that look.

The foam board was textured. I used a method where you wet the foam down (before paint) with a spray bottle. Then, using a small handheld butane torch, you quickly burn the surface of the stone. The water makes it so that some spots readily melt inwards while other spots do not. Gives it a really nice, stoney texture.

Then to paint it, I gave it a base coat of flat white house paint. After that dries, you wet the stone down with a garden hose. Then, using either grey or black spraypaint, you spray a small area and then immediately wet that area again (with a light spray, like a shower). This causes the paint to run down the stone and the water keeps it out of the tiny cracks and divots made by the torch.

Overall, I guess it could have turned out better. The painting technique is a little too random for my liking. I may still wind up re-painting with a light grey base coat and using a sponge to sponge on a slightly darker grey.

I guess I'm my own worst critic.

Thanks for the kind words guys.

 

[darryl]

Great tombstone. I was wondering where you got the inspiration. I know I saw some pis of similar ones on the web. I think they use them overseas in cemetaries there. Is this correct?

 

[Dr Morbius]

Hey darryl..Check out this thread link...

http://www.unpleasantstreet.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1546&page=16

 

[Blackwidow]

Nice work Zombie! Personally I think the paint looks great...I use the same techniques for warping and painting my stones.