DO IT YOURSELF - WOODEN GRAVEYARD TOMBSTONES

CURRENT MOOD: Devilish! Happy Thanksgiving Weekend to everyone!



A Step by Step Guide - WITH PHOTOS!

WHAT YOU NEED
- A Wooden Board for your Tombstone
- Pencils & an Eraser
- Paint Brushes & Sponges
- Painters Pallet
- Painters Tape
- Acrylic Paints
- Permanent Markers
- Garbage Bag / Drop Cloth

Optional: Matte Clear Coat


DIRECTIONS
Step 1 -  Gather your supplies and lay out your garbage bag or drop cloth in your work space, your project will need time to dry so make sure it is somewhere safe.

In my example to the right I used some remnant cut outs from one of my dads companies jobs. It just so happened they were perfectly formed tombstones! 



Step 2 - Lay out your wooden board that you have picked to be your tombstone. Begin by sketching out how you want your tombstone laid out on a scrap piece of paper or directly on it. Use painters tape to transfer your design.

On your paint pallet begin mixing the colours you want on your tombstone, in other words... start mixing up a lot of grey paint if you don't already have some! You will need to make a good base background for the details that come later.

 Allow your project to sit until it is dry to your touch. (No paint comes off if you touch it.)

Step 4 - Begin the details, if you want an older looking tombstone start by adding some fake cracks and chips, show some depth by adding a bevelled appearance along the edges. Try adding some fake grass or moss to give more depth to the image your creating. Note that if you want it to stick in the ground properly you'll have to leave a few inches at the bottom to accommodate this.

Step 5 - Add words, classic ones that come to mind are R.I.P. but try to think outside of the box. Use historical characters like Edgar Allan Poe, or Shakespeare, add a funny joke or rhyme, the options are endless this is where you need to get creative! 

Step 6 - Once your happy with your finished design, spray a layer of clear matte over top to protect your project from the elements and lock in your design!