VAMPYRE ROOM BOXES
Ever since I was a young boy I have always been fascinated and obsessed with Old World Vampyres.  At the beginning of COVID I began buying inexpensive plastic vampyres which quickly evolved into buying the really expensive 1:6 scale vampyres: Dracula, Bela Lugosi, Christopher Lee, Barnabas Collins/Jonathan Frid and, of course, Nosferatu.  I bought vampyres in various sizes and began collecting or making their accessories.  The photos show the progression from the very first cheap vampyre to the more finished Vampyre Room Boxes.   I also began working with artists and craftsmen around the world who had specialty construction skills that I do not have.

Final Note: My vampyre obsession led me to write my first mystery novel for middle readers (at the urging of my editor) titled THE MYSTERY OF THE VAMPYRE NEXT DOOR.
The Evolution of the Vampyre Room Boxes
I use DAS---an air-hardening clay like material which is easily painted with 
gouache and gum arabic.
I start coating the inside of a wooden box with the DAS.  The secret to getting "stone-like" texture is to not smooth the DAS too much.
It's quite a transformation when you start adding the gouache and gum arabic over the DAS.
Here is Nosferatu showing off the finished Red Vampyre Room Box empty.
The first Vampyre Room Finished.
Adding the details and more accessories.

​This is the first medieval fireplace that I made.  The fireplace has a sturdy cardboard foundation over which the DAS is applied roughly to simulate rough stone.   After painting the fireplace I added the miniature pewter accessories (most I had bought many years ago from the Franklin Mint).  I found the miniature fireplace crane on Etsy.   I blackened the rear wall of the fireplace so that it looks like the fireplace has been used for cooking/heating.  

I have been experimenting making fireplace with various decorative wood picture frames to create a variety of medieval and Tudor fireplaces.  The wood frames work beautifully with the DAS.
This is the fireplace on the workbench after being finished.  Notice the wood trim mantel that has been added.
Here are two examples as to how realistic the DAS can look IF you don't try to smooth it out too much when you are working with it.  You want the rough texture to show when you paint the DAS.
I bought this cabinet online.  It was painted black.  I used the crackle technique with paint and crackle medium to make it look like an old scroll cabinet that you might find in an ancient castle.  I am pleased with how it turned out as a finished piece.
Here is an early version of the Red Vampyre Room Box.   The decorative wood trim has not been added yet.  I also decided that the more sheer gauze fabric worked better for the curtains. The lamps are all battery operated and are perfect for photographing the scenes..
This is the same room box but now the furnishings have been change.  I made the bookcase from a vintage type drawer---it already had the aged vintage patina I wanted for the bookcase that might be found in a vampyres castle or manor house.  I made all the miniature scrolls, maps, documents, books etc.   You will see how the library idea became more expanded over the years.
Here is an example as to what I mean by an expanded library.   More furnishings have been added as well as figures from Penny Dreadful.
This is the bookcase as I was working on it on the workbench.
Nosferatu rummaging in the bookcase.
A little brighter lighting to show the details.
The Red Vampyre Room now resides in one of the bookcases in our bedroom.  I love looking at and fiddling with the pieces every day.  Since this photo was taken there has been quite a few more accessories added to the scene.
As you can see the accessories and more figures have spilled out of the original Red Vampyre Room Box.
Here are a few additional photos of the vampyres it and photographed by John Riffey.