Video Tag
Every video tagged “painting” in the library — a focused slice of the Halloween archive.
97 videos
VanOaksProps presents a full-length, single-video build of a functional full-size Gonk Droid prop that doubles as a working projector. The build combines everyday materials like storage bins and plumbing parts with 3D printed components, then brings the droid to life through careful painting and weathering techniques. Originally released as a two-part series in 2022, this marathon edition walks through every stage — design, fabrication, electronics integration, and finishing — in one continuous watch.
This fourth and final installment of VanOaksProps' Halloween crypt build series covers the finishing stages of the prop, including painting, brick mortar texturing, and weathering to achieve a realistic stone appearance. The episode's standout addition is the integration of the AAXA HP3 projector to cast a special projection effect onto or within the crypt structure. The video was produced in partnership with AAXA Technologies, who supplied the projector at no cost to the creator.
StiltbeastStudios' Allen Hopps demonstrates how to transform a cheap plastic mask into an intimidating corn demon character for well under $14. The build is designed to be accessible to all skill levels, proving that impressive results don't require a big budget or professional experience. The finished piece has a scarecrow-meets-demon aesthetic that would work well for haunted attractions or Halloween costumes.
The creator takes a commercially available Cinemark Alien Romulus themed popcorn bucket and elevates it into a convincing movie-quality prop using body filler, airbrushing, and metallic finishing techniques. The process covers surface preparation, sculpting or filling with Bondo, sanding smooth, and layering paint effects including dry brushing and Rub n Buff. The result transforms a novelty collectible into something that could pass as a set piece from the Alien franchise itself.
This short promotional video showcases the artistry and craftsmanship behind Distortions Unlimited, a US-based Halloween prop and animatronic manufacturer with over four decades of experience. Set to classical cello music, the piece highlights the skilled team at work — sculpting, welding, painting, and finishing professional-grade creatures. Featured products span both 2020 releases and longtime classics, spanning demons, wolves, and monster characters. It positions the company's output as suitable for home haunters, professional haunted attractions, and theme parks alike.
This tutorial walks viewers through converting an inexpensive foam wig head into a Halloween skull prop using a hot wire cutting knife. With just a few strategic cuts, the plain foam form takes on a convincing skull shape ready for painting, corpsing, or decorating. The creator notes the finished skull pairs well with pool noodle skeleton builds, making it a natural companion project for budget-minded haunters.
In this episode of the Monster Lab instructional series, industry veteran Ed Edmunds of Distortions Unlimited walks viewers through the essential tools and supplies needed to set up a home monster-making studio. The focus is on equipping beginners and enthusiasts with the foundational knowledge to start sculpting, molding, and painting Halloween masks and props the professional way. Drawing on Distortions Unlimited's deep manufacturing background, Ed shares practical guidance on material selection and studio organization. At 73 minutes, it's a thorough orientation for anyone serious about entering the craft.
This Distortions Unlimited Christmas special takes viewers behind the scenes as the well-known Halloween prop and animatronic company pivots to building a holiday line. Filmed across 2010 and 2011, it follows the crew through designing, sculpting, molding, painting, and unveiling Santa and elf animatronics. The documentary-style piece highlights the challenges and triumphs of adapting a haunt-focused studio to Christmas decor.
VanOaksProps builds a pair of Star Wars-themed cargo crates to complement a dedicated prop display case, inspired by a visit to Star Wars Celebration Anaheim. The crates are shaped using an Inventables X-Carve CNC router, then finished with layered spray paints, wax paint, and weathering techniques to achieve a battle-worn, screen-accurate look. Liquid latex and steel wool add tactile texture before the final paint stages, giving the props convincing depth and age.
This tutorial walks through transforming an inexpensive foam or cardboard skull into a convincing, creepy Halloween prop using everyday household materials. The second part of the series focuses on the corpsing, painting, and finishing stages that bring the skull to life. The approach is budget-friendly and accessible, making it suitable for first-time prop builders.
This step-by-step tutorial walks viewers through building a full-size Ghostbusters proton pack using the free, open-source Q-Pack files designed by Marc Carabelli and Quentin Machiels. The creator covers the entire physical build process — from sourcing and prepping print files to assembly, filling, sanding, painting for screen-accurate results, and scratch-building the motherboard. A free resource guide and parts list are available via the creator's website. Electronics, lighting, sound, and weathering are promised in a follow-up video.
This trailer introduces Monster Lab, a multi-episode instructional video series from Distortions Unlimited hosted by industry veteran Ed Edmunds. The series promises to cover the full spectrum of Halloween mask and prop creation, including sculpting, painting, molding, and special effects. Guest artists are featured alongside Edmunds, offering viewers exposure to a variety of professional techniques and styles.
Inspired by the Fallout TV series, the creator designs, 3D prints, and finishes a set of biometric sensor props to complete a Vault Dweller cosplay. The video walks through the full workflow from digital modeling to print cleanup, priming, and chrome finishing. A custom downloadable 3D model is available through the creator's Etsy store for viewers who want to replicate the build.
VanOaksProps walks through the process of prepping and painting a 3D-printed replica of the iconic Copper Bones skeleton key from The Goonies. The build is framed as a relaxed afternoon project, focusing primarily on surface finishing and a layered acrylic painting technique to achieve an aged, metallic patina look. A free STL model is referenced for those who want to print their own base piece. Credit is given to another creator whose technique inspired the painting approach.
Distortions Unlimited offers a behind-the-scenes look at their professional Halloween prop production process, using a run of Pumpkin Witch props as the example. The video walks through each stage of fabrication from initial design and sculpture through molding, pouring, painting, and final finishing. It provides rare insight into how a commercial prop manufacturer brings a character from concept to shelf-ready product.
Industry veteran Ed Edmunds of Distortions Unlimited walks viewers through the complete process of creating a latex bloody eyeball prop from scratch. The tutorial covers every foundational stage — clay sculpting, plaster mold making, latex pouring, and painting — making it an ideal entry point for aspiring prop and mask makers. This is a re-edited repost from Distortions' Monster Lab instructional series, designed to be approachable and manageable for beginners.
In this follow-up tutorial from Stiltbeast Studios, Allen Hopps walks through the painting phase of constructing a sock mask. The primary technique featured is drybrushing, used to pull out surface details and add depth to the finished piece. This concise ten-minute video focuses entirely on the paint application stage rather than the initial construction covered in Part 1.
SKS Props walks through the painting and weathering process for a 3D-printed Menpo (oni) mask, designed to complement a previously built samurai armor set. The mask was modeled in Nomad Sculpt as a learning exercise and printed in grey PLA on a Bambu H2S. The creator shares the finished result alongside the matching armor and offers the STL file for free download on MyMiniFactory.
This episode focuses on building realistic dinosaur skin for a life-sized DIY Velociraptor animatronic, part of an ongoing home haunt series inspired by Jurassic World. The creator walks through combining latex and foam clay to achieve a convincing scaly texture over an existing foam armature. Painting techniques are also covered to bring the skin to a finished, realistic appearance. This is episode four in a multi-part build series.
VanOaksProps walks through a casual, build-along episode of crafting a Star Wars-inspired fusion furnace/generator prop by combining a 3D-printed shell with an off-the-shelf smart LED lamp. The build is credited to a fellow maker whose lamp-hack concept inspired the project. Painting and weathering techniques give the finished piece a worn, screen-adjacent look suitable for display in any Star Wars fan space.
VanOaks Props documents a creative crossover build inspired by a visit to Galaxy's Edge, combining a 3D-printed droid dome and a moisture vaporator form into a functional floor lamp. The build leans on PVC and ABS pipe for structure, with smart LED strip lighting for atmosphere. A layered painting and weathering process using spray paints, acrylic washes, and a metallic finish gives the prop its authentic Tatooine-worn look. The video also cross-promotes a companion lamp build by collaborator The Smuggler's Room.
This marathon compilation from VanOaksProps walks through the construction of six iconic movie props, including the Goonies Copper Bones, the Indiana Jones Holy Grail, Ghostbusters Ecto Goggles, Jack Torrance's axe from The Shining, Doc Brown's binoculars from Back to the Future Part II, and HAL9000 from 2001: A Space Odyssey. Each build showcases practical fabrication techniques including 3D printing, painting, weathering, and finishing aimed at achieving screen-accurate results. The format is a compiled deep-dive suited for makers at multiple skill levels looking to tackle cinematic replicas from scratch.
This short channel trailer offers a peek inside Distortions Unlimited, a professional studio that designs and manufactures monsters, masks, animatronics, and Halloween props for haunts and horror applications. The clip showcases the breadth of their product line, including pieces like a bound corpse and a creature called the Xenovore. It serves primarily as a brand introduction and storefront promotion rather than a step-by-step tutorial.
StiltbeastStudios creator Allen Hopps walks through the creation of 'Bupo,' an owl-inspired creature mask or prop for haunted attraction use. The build incorporates specialty paints and wax finishes from Sculpt Nouveu to achieve a detailed, professional-quality monster look. The video offers a behind-the-scenes look at how creature pieces are fabricated and finished for scare entertainment environments.
