---
title: Recipes for Disaster – A Few Fun Ways to Improve Your Halloween Décor with Rosco
description: Recipes for Disaster – A Few Fun Ways to Improve Your Halloween Décor with Rosco
---

[Spectrum](https://spectrum.rosco.com)

# [Recipes for Disaster – A Few Fun Ways to Improve Your Halloween Décor with Rosco](https://spectrum.rosco.com/index.php/2014/10/rosco-recipes-for-disaster)

 Written by [Joel Svendsen](https://spectrum.rosco.com/author/joel) | October 30, 2014

##### Tough, Textured Tombstones with Rosco FoamCoat

<http://modelshop.co.uk/Content/DynamicMedia/cms-uploaded/files/4D_guide-Tombstone.pdf>Everyone’s seen the inexpensive foam tombstones that you can buy around Halloween. However, if you’re looking for tombstones that will survive more than one season – [here is an easy DIY tombstone recipe from our friends at 4D Modelshop in the UK](http://modelshop.co.uk/Content/DynamicMedia/cms-uploaded/files/4D_guide-Tombstone.pdf) that uses [Rosco FoamCoat](http://www.rosco.com/scenic/foamcoat.cfm) to make them much stronger.  Note how using the FoamCoat on the carved tombstones also allowed them to use spray paint on the foam - without melting their carved, ‘foam-made’ masterpiece.

## FoamCoat For Gruesome Gargoyles Too

<https://spectrum.rosco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Gargoyle_trip.jpg?hsLang=en>

If you’re aiming your Halloween décor away from the morose and toward the macabre – then use the same FoamCoat techniques above to create gargoyles. [Peter Miller from Rutgers University](http://www.masongross.rutgers.edu/theater/faculty/peter-miller) shared this process with us for sculpting lifelike gargoyles out of a block of foam.

 

<http://www.rosco.com/scenic/foamcoat.cfm> FoamCoat is available in single and 3.5 gallon buckets

 

If your tombstones or gargoyles need to be extra-strong, we suggest three coats of FoamCoat:  
• Coat One: One part water to one part FoamCoat. The watered down FoamCoat will seep into the open areas between the foam cells to strengthen the foam.  
• Coat Two: Tint the FoamCoat with [Off Broadway #5382 Paynes Grey](http://www.rosco.com/scenic/offbroadway.cfm)and apply onto the foam to establish a base coat of FoamCoat and color for your project.  
• Coat Three: Use the tinted FoamCoat again, this time in a shade lighter and/or darker than the first. Use the third coat to create any desired texture and dimension.

It’s best to let each coat dry for 1-2 hours before applying the next coat. If your third layer is particularly thick and textured, you might want to consider letting it cure overnight before adding any final painted details.

### Blood Effects That Stay Wet – Even After They’re Dry

<https://spectrum.rosco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Crystal-Gel-Blood-Stump-e1414615786266.jpg?hsLang=en>There are several recipes for different blood effects out there - here’s ours: 3 parts [Rosco CrystalGel](http://www.rosco.com/scenic/crystalgel.cfm)mixed with one part red food coloring. This recipe offers up thick, sculptable, shapable blood effects that dry with a gloss – making the bloody club, or blood spattered wall always appear as if it’s covered in wet, sticky blood and gore.

<https://spectrum.rosco.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/Crystal-Gel-Blood-Coagulating-e1414615991568.jpg?hsLang=en>You can also use the recipe to create coagulated blood effects by making the blood a little darker and coating tissue paper in the CrystalGel mixture to add opacity and a crinkled, molded texture to the effect.  It's worth noting that this recipe is quite permanent.  It's great for scenery, props or even costumes that you want to look wet & bloody for many Halloween seasons to come.

If you’ve got any Halloween special effects you’ve created with Rosco products – we’d love to see them! Post them up to [Twitter](https://twitter.com/Rosco_Labs)or [Instagram](http://instagram.com/rosco_labs)and tag them @Rosco\_Labs.  Happy Halloween!

[View full post](https://spectrum.rosco.com/index.php/2014/10/rosco-recipes-for-disaster)

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