How to Paint Styrofoam to Look Like Aged Stone
When it comes to fake substitutes for real stone, Styrofoam is a classic material choice used widely in stage and cinema productions. Though significantly softer and lighter than stone, and essentially not durable at all, Styrofoam closely resembles stone's textures when properly painted.
Use the right colors and the right layering and painting techniques to recreate the look of aged stone, whether you're making a few simple rocks or a fake stone statue.
Things You Will Need
- Styrofoam
- Craft knife
- Light gray spray paint
- Dark gray acrylic paint
- Rags
- Plastic sandwich bag
- Long, floppy feather
Tip
Instead of painting marbling lines on the Styrofoam, you can create a highly realistic granite texture and appearance using a granite texturing paint. This product is applied like spray paint. Mix other earth tones, including beige, brown and off-white, for a rougher, common stone look. Apply these colors using the plastic bag.
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Make some cuts and breaks in the Styrofoam to distress it. Snap off pieces with your hand. Use a craft knife to cut small cracks and gouges; these will have the proper texture of broken stone once painted.
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Give the Styrofoam a coat of acrylic spray primer; this will ensure that the subsequent layers of paint stick to the material with an even coverage. Let the primed Styrofoam dry according to the manufacturer's instructions.
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Spray the Styrofoam with a layer of light gray spray paint. Let it dry.
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Mix a solution of 1 part dark gray acrylic paint and 1 part water.
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Work some dark gray acrylic and water mixture into the cracks and crevices in the stonework using the rag.
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Apply irregular splotches of dark gray paint (with no water) using the plastic sandwich bag in place of a brush. Crumple the bag slightly to get the proper texture.
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Run the feather in randomized, semi-swirl patterns through the wet, dark gray paint to create marbling lines.
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Spray the Styrofoam with a layer of varnish to give it sheen, resembling the appearance of polished marble.
The Drip Cap
- When it comes to fake substitutes for real stone, Styrofoam is a classic material choice used widely in stage and cinema productions.
- Use the right colors and the right layering and painting techniques to recreate the look of aged stone, whether you're making a few simple rocks or a fake stone statue.
- Spray the Styrofoam with a layer of light gray spray paint.
- Work some dark gray acrylic and water mixture into the cracks and crevices in the stonework using the rag.
References
- "The Theatre Props Handbook: A Comprehensive Guide to Theater Properties, Materials and Construction"; Thurston James; 2000
Writer Bio
Lauren Vork has been a writer for 20 years, writing both fiction and nonfiction. Her work has appeared in "The Lovelorn" online magazine and thecvstore.net. Vork holds a bachelor's degree in music performance from St. Olaf College.
Photo Credits
- Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
- Hemera Technologies/PhotoObjects.net/Getty Images
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