Thread: Tree stump

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A friend of mine was putting on a play, Hansel and Gretal...yahh. Anyway they needed a tree stump prop and asked for some help. I was given a step stool and 2 cans of Great Stuff. Luckily I hold onto all kinds of crap so I knew I would find something in my garage.

So I first started with some old paneling, did I mention I hold onto everything? I cut a shape I found stump worthy and replicated that 3 times. Sandwiched the wood together with a little liquid nails. I would've used some plywood but had none the size I needed. Next I grabbed some 2x4 scraps and cut them to the length of the bottom of the bench and screwed the wood to the base and the stool to the wood. I had some left over sono-tube that I cut to size and sliced so I could wrap it around the stool. When I got it in position I tacked it to the stool, its a plastic jobby, with some wood screws. Next I used some pink foam just to bulk up some of the sides a bit. Now was the fun part, Great Stuff! I ended up using both cans but I'm sure if I used a little more of my pink scraps I couldve got by with one. Ahh whatever. Foam dried I started carving. Huge mess! Next step, paper mache. I used less than a roll of paper towels. I only wanted to seal the stump and give a little texture. Now when I do mache I just go straight up elmers mixed with some wood glue. Moving on. Took about a full day for the glue to dry. My favorite part is the paint-up. I had some oops brown so I used that as a base. It was between medium and dark. Once dried I did a white dry-brush. For the top I used a teddy bear brown, who names this stuff? Followed with the brown for cracks and junk.

Think that about covers it. This was a fairly quick job and pretty easy. I still plan on maybe a wash of paint or two just to add a little more life. I also plan on taking a couple shots with my real camera instead of the phone shots.

Hope you like it.

WOW!!!! That is truly realistic! You have great talent! Thanks for sharing this!

What did you use to carve the Great Stuff Foam once it was dry?

Originally Posted by MrNightmare

What did you use to carve the Great Stuff Foam once it was dry?

Thanks I'm glad you like it.

I used a box cutter to carve most of the shape then I went to my rasp. I love that tool. The foam had a ton of inconsistencies in it so I just used those to my advantage.

That looks amazing!

looks really cool!

Like everyone else has already said, it looks great! Incredibly realistic
Thanks
Phil

You did a great job on this! Realistic!

wow!!!! i love it!!!!!
great TUT to make a whole tree and carve a creepy face into and maybe dif. colored fall leaves and arms reaching out to grab someone or even holding a poisoned apple. you know like in the wizard of oz when the trees throw apples at dorathy and the tin man lol

oh great now i have to add yet another project to my HUGE to-do-list lol
fun fun fun ...to many projects and not enough time lol

Great Job! Your friend will be SO happy!