As a photographer of my own tutorials, I always search for variations in photography props including backdrops, tables or floors, light compositions and other related decorations to make a pleasant scene just like those pictures shown in the magazine. One of my favorite backdrops and also the hardest one to find in my area is painted old brick wall.
Some times, in order to make my photos more impressive, I will bring my handmad to other places for photography, such as beach, restaurant, park, jetty etc… That’s why you may notice that I need more time to prepare my tutorial which is normally 1 or 2 weeks of lagging. But, if I have a choice, I prefer to do the photography in the comfort of my home. With that in practice, that means I need some portable backdrops… fabrics and wooden backdrops came easily, but real brick is impossible to be “portable” due to it’s weight.
I have put off the idea of having brick wall in my home till I renovated my new condominium to purposely make a painted old brick wall at one of the corners…. until… I shop in my local Ace Hardware Store…… I was searching for some aerosol paints for repainting my old wicker basket when I saw the “make it stone!” texture paint on the shelf. I was so impressed with the effect shown on the cap of the aerosol can. I bought it back and thinking of “stoning” my old plastic wall-hung planter. That night on my bed, just before I fell asleep, I suddenly came out with the idea of making a faux brick wall panel with this paint after recalling that I saw a video using polystyrene foam panel to make similar backdrops for the stage. Guess what? I was insomnia that night because the processes of making this faux brick wall panel kept me awake, I was very excited and can’t wait till the next morning!!!!
I am glad that I had a sudden inspiration of making it and see how I did it after the jump….. There after, you will see it appears in my photos more often too.
Hi there, I know this isn’t a recent blog post but I’ve just found it and I love the finished result of your project, and thank you for sharing your process.
I have a question about the spraypaint – in the past when I’ve used spraypaint or certain glues (UHU) on polystyrene, it completely dissolved away the polystyrene. So I’m just wondering whether you know if you need to avoid a specific kind of base ingredient or chemical in the spraypaint to avoid damaging the polystyrene? I’m in the UK so have not been able to find Krylon spraypaints when I’ve looked in the past, especially for the usual short-term deadlines!
Thank you x
Good question Emma. Polystyrene foam will get damaged when it gets into contact with solvent, certain range of UHU contain solvent so it is not suitable provided you use the solvent free type of UHU.
As for the spray paint, you can use any brand and not necessarily that specific brand I am using. Just keep in mind that you need to spray from a distance, firstly, you will get smoother surface and even paint coverage., secondly, most solvent will evaporate before it touches the surface of the polystyrene.
Thank you so much for your quick reply and this info, it really helps! 🙂
Looks beautiful, but I am curious to the practicality of using this method on a wall that may have daily contact just by living? How durable and messy??
It is only suitable for temporary decoration.
I’m inspired I have to do this! And I’m having a hard time finding a half inch thick styrofoam brick where did you find Yours? Thank you so much for this idea love it. Thank you for dharing.
Hi Tina,
I bought the foam from a local art and craft shop. Hope you are able to find yours soon 🙂
hi, my question is about the stiffness of the finished product. I guess a better way to put it is. Does the foam become rigid? after applying all of the paint and the “Make it stone!” is the foam hard to the touch or will it dent in if by some chance someone pushed down to hard on it?
Hi Edgar, This is panel is not suitable for high traffic place. It is good to see but not strong enough if someone press on it.
Awesome idea! I’m planning to use this idea to do a wedding back drop for the reception. How many wooden panel you think I need and styrofoam? Also, any ideas on how I can get it to stand up if I can’t use hooks or don’t have a wall to have it lean on. Thanks in advance.
Hi Linda,
You will need to do a bit of mathematics on the quantity you will need for the back drop based on the dimension given here.
As for the support, I am thinking that a big whiteboard stand will be great for you to lean or hang the faux brick wall panel on, but be sure that it can support the size of your back drop.
I LOVE THIS IDEA!!!!! Thank you so much for sharing. However, I’m wondering if you have any other suggestions other than a smoldering iron. I would hate to buy one and not have multiple uses for it. Thanks again.
Hi Tracy, I do understand your concern. May be you can try with heating up a nail with fire, please make sure you use a insulated tool to grip your nail and don’t get yourself hurt.
Hi Joanne
Thanks for sharing it, I will try it to my basement stair walls and garage walls.
You’re awesome!
-Boyet <
Cool!!! Can’t wait to see how they turn out on your garage walls 🙂
hi, can i know how to get to supply/ buy this product? im from Malaysia, thanks
You can get styrofoam and its cutter from major art and book store (Popular should have). I bought the paints from ACE hardware store. Happy DIY 🙂
Not sure you’ll get this as it appears your writing is over 2 years ago! However, I’m going to try. Would this work for an outside faux brick wall ie/as a foundation cover. Thanks,
Hi Marney, this faux brick wall is done by using styrofoam so it is not outdoor friendly, and it is not recommended for high traffic area.
Marney,
You could easily do this using hypertufa over styrofoam bricks! I will leave this up to you to google the process… once I discovered how to be creative with hypertufa I was hooked!
This is made by combining equal measures of Portland cement, perlite (or vermiculite) and peat moss, mixed thoroughly with water and applied to various surfaces for long wearing durability.
You can use molds, or create your own to make containers or wall hanging planters.
A friend of mine created a totem pole by carving faces of animals into styrofoam blocks, stacking one on top of the other and simply taping these together and covering the entire sculpture with this mixture- 20 years later that artwork still graces her home’s porch entrance.
One of the most clever ideas I’ve seen. You did a FABULOUS job. Creative and practical. I love it. Might just do one for myself! Thanks 🙂
I am a renter now and in my old house I had exposed brick and I loved it.
Is it POSSIBLE being that I am a renter and I can not bolt or firmly secure things to my wall… could it be possible to use a thick cardstock paper or cardboard instead of wood?
I am afraid that the cardboard won’t hold them firmly… sorry….
this is really good. too bad I have children, I do not think this is a good idea to put on my wall. I actually plan on doing this tutorial http://do-it-yourselfdesign.blogspot.com/2012/12/how-to-make-faux-exposed-brick-wall.html. I find yours very much “believable” but I might end up doing the orig plan as it will stand kids. thank you for sharing this though. i love it!
thanks for the idea I am turning my bunkbeds into a castle and this will add a great look to the castle walls thought if I sprayed them with polyurethane it might help it to hold up. I was really looking for some type of foam or rubber bricks but haven’t had much luck there so im excited to try this and see how it holds up.
where can i get the styrofoam cutter tool you have in the image. Thanks
You may find it in arts and craft store, if not, you can buy from Amazon: Crafters Hotwire Foam Styrofoam Hot Wire Cutter Knife Operated on One Dry C Cell Battery Great for Hobby RC Model or Arts And Crafts Projects
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Hi,
Just wanted to say thanks! I borrowed your idea and did a 10′ section on my 10′ high wall in my apartment. Love it! I decided I just wanted white brick though, just painted it and it turned out great. It looks very authentic. I looked into pricing for the plastic mould ones and it would have cost me over $1000!!! So thank you, after a ton of work and I’m sure a few dead brain cells due to styrofoam poisoning it is a focal point in my home.
Hi Linda,
I am so glad that you tell me this news that you did it for your house and it is huge!!!!
Since it is styrofoam, be careful and not knock on it, it will get damage pretty fast.
Thank you.
Do you have different colored walls? I would like to see which one would be the best before trying..
Sorry to tell you that I only did this color. You can check out the colors in Krylon website.
Does the “make it stone” only come in gray or are there more colors? Thank you!
There are other colors to choose from, click here to view the colors.
I will save this page as a favourite and come back to it when I’ve bought my own apartment, because this is a wall I would like to have in my permanent home.
Will this faux brick look work on a concrete wall?
gostei muita das suas ideias, obrigada tem me ajudado muito
Translation (by Google):
I liked a lot of this ideas, has helped me a lot thanks
How did you hang the wooden panel after it was complete
Thanks
I didn’t hang the panel, I just lean it against a wall for photography, after that, I keep it 🙂
If you need to hang, get those picture frame hooks and install at the back of the panel. Get a heavy duty one of your panel is big.
I’ve used “Make It Stone” for years (It used to be called “Fleckstone” I think) I have a large yard haunt every Halloween and it makes the grave stones look great. I use a polyurethane clear matte spray to seal it and it lasts through rain and outdoor wera and tear very well. I have some plastic pots outside sprayed with sealed “Make It Stone” and it has worked well for three years. When I faux bricks or stonework, I paint the entire surface, texture it with spray paint and got back over the “mortar” with a different color paint that I apply with a brush.
I like the idea of sealing it with polyurethane spray 🙂 Thanks.
If the foam wasn’t that soft, perhaps it could be a great wall decor that can last long with the spray 🙂
How long would you say it would hold, if left alone and used as a wall for photo shoots??
If no one touch it, it will last very long 🙂
This is amazing!!!! I was thinking of making one of my walls brick but it was too expensive, this is a great alternate 🙂
Hi Evangalyne, this is good as decoration purpose only. The wall ain’t strong for daily wear and tear 🙂
How strong is the finished product? Think it could handle a house with kids? Just wondering g. By the way this is very creative abed awesome!!!
It is not strong. I made it for the purpose of photo props and not meant for long term decor.
Approximately how much did this cost? I’ve been thinking of buying a sheet of the faux brick at Lowe’s, but if this is more cost effective, I’ll go this route!
If I am not mistaken and my memory didn’t fail on me, it should be less than $20 since I have most of the tools and materials on hand.
This seems like a great way to do a faux brick wall for those of us who can’t afford expensive faux brick sheets from the Home Depot. My roommate and I were thinking of a more traditional red brick look with off-white “mortar,” so in order to get the two different colors my current thinking is to paint the “mortar” panel, debris, and bricks their respective colors before gluing them together. Thoughts?
Wow! This is amazing – it looks like a real block wall! Nice job.
Marvelous! I love those foam panels from the hardware store, and the texture you achieved is perfect!
This is soooo cool! I am pinning this for future reference!!
Songül Berfin, please click the second page for the tutorial 🙂
This is so clever and creative of you, Joanne! (^_^)
Peachie, thanks!!!
I think my jaw just hit my chest… awesomeness! Aren’t you the cleverestestest (is that enough clever to describe it?) girl I’ve ever encountered in blogworld?
This is seriously good stuff, and I am gagging to try it.
Thanks so much for sharing!
Steff…. glad that you think me in this way… ha ha ha… I am so happy!!!
nasıl yapılıyor tuğla açıklamasını bulamadım
Translation (by Goolge):
I could not find a description of how the bricks are made
I saw the hammered metal on the shelf too. Too cool !!! Will try it on a wooden box, perhaps?
Awesome! I need to find a place in my house that needs a “brick” wall!! I’ve never used this – but I did use a Rustoleum called “Hammered Metal” on my kitchen table legs, and it really does look like hammered metal. Very cool effect.
Yes… I love that paint very much, basically it can stick to any surface, even plastic and craft foam. It is meant for scrapbooking too.
This is so cool Joanne – is that paint cool? Years ago I found it at my Ace and sprayed a fishing tackle box to try it. It’s still holding up very nicely – it looks like real stone. I like this tutorial and will keep it for future use.