Share
Difficulty: Beginner
This quick and easy Halloween tombstone made with foam board would be a fun addition to a spooky outdoor display.
Let us know if you have any questions and we'd be happy to assist.
Steps
Step 1
Design your tombstone and cut your cardboard into shape.
Determine the shape and size of your tombstone. You can either follow a template or create your own design using plates and a bendable straight edge for curves.
Mark out one half of your designed tombstone on your cardboard. Use your utility knife to cut along this outline.
Step 2
Cut your foam board to create the top half of your tombstone.
Place the cut cardboard from Step 1 on your foam and outline the edges. Then flip the cardboard over and outline the other side of your tombstone. You should have a perfectly symmetrical outline.
Cut your foam along your marked outline. Trim the edges to ensure they are square.
Step 3
Carve the lettering.
Decide what you want to write on your tombstone. While choosing your preferred font and size, ensure there is enough spacing on your tombstone to fit all letters evenly on each line.
Mark guidelines on your foam to ensure your lettering is level. Use lettering stencils to transfer the lettering onto your foam. Finally, set the depth gauge on your rotary tool to 10mm and carefully carve out each letter.
Step 4
Distress your tombstone to create cracks, chips and weathered areas. This makes it look more aged and spooky.
Use a timber file or utility knife to distress the foam's edges. Ensure crack lines start wide at the edges.
Step 5
Create and attach your tombstone's base.
Use the remaining foam board to cut two pieces 150mm wide. Glue these two sections together using construction adhesive and create a base.
Now insert chopsticks or skewers into the bottom of your stencilled foam from Step 4. Apply construction adhesive along the bottom. Push the skewers into your base section to glue the two parts of your tombstone together. Allow your glue to dry fully.
Step 6
Create a weathered surface on your tombstone.
Mix an equal amount of paint and Plaster of Paris. Don't worry about any lumps in the mixture as they will add to the weathered effect.
Paint this mixture over your tombstone. Be careful when painting over your lettering.
Step 7
Use paint to decorate your tombstone.
Once your Plaster of Paris and paint mix has dried thoroughly, you can decorate your tombstone to make it look spookier.
Mix a small amount of black and brown craft paint with water. Hold your paintbrush at the top of your tombstone and allow it the paint to run down the surface. Dab any excess paint with a paper towel. Leave streak marks for added effect.
Next, paint the inside of the letters with a darker colour to help them stand out. You can also paint over any cracks on your tombstone with a darker colour.
Finally, seal your tombstone with clear matt spray sealer. This will make it waterproof.
Materials
- 1200 x 600 x 50mm XPS insulation foam board
- Craft paint
- Clear matt spray sealer
- Three chopsticks or skewers
- Construction adhesive
- Plaster of Paris
- Cardboard.
Tools
- Utility knife with snap-off blade
- Rotary tool (for example, Dremel 3000 - 1/26 Corded Rotary Tool Kit)
- Timber file (optional)
- Paintbrush and tray
- Pencil
- Straight edge
- Lettering stencils
- Water sprayer.
Images
