New Toy

3/14/2010 08:04:00 PM Edit This 13 Comments »
Awhile ago there was a discussion on the Everyday Matters online group (I would put a link in here, but not only am I not sure exactly how to to it, but when I tried, the link was about 4 lines long - it's a Yahoo group, if you want to find it) about a toy someone had as a child that was a reflector gizmo that allowed you to copy pictures.  I had a hard time envisioning how it would work, but as these kinds of discussions have a way of doing, someone found one online that was for sale!   It's called a Reflecting Sketcher, and I got it  at  closeoutzone.com  (I tried putting in a link to it, but for some reason it wouldn't work)    The price was right .... under $10, including shipping, so being a curious bear, I quickly ordered one.  It really is a fun toy, although it does have its drawbacks.  For one thing, the far edge of what you're copying sort of disappears from view, making it difficult to copy that side.  It should be noted, however, that I did this at night using lights, so maybe the results in the daytime might be a bit different.  I did a quick outline with few details just to give it a test run, and this is what I got.

You put the original on the side of your non-dominant hand, and your paper on the other side of the plastic divider.  Then you look at the reflection of the drawing on the plastic and "trace" it with your dominant hand.  I know it sounds odd, but that really is how you do it.  I had trouble keeping the reflection lined up with the drawing I had done (note his ear), and I didn't try to add in all the details, but you can get a rough idea of what you end up with.  And, you will notice that you get a mirror image of the original.   So, here are pictures of the device, the original that I copied (a rather plain Rubens drawing), and the copy I did of it.  I think I'll just keep this thing as a toy for my grandniece and other children who come here to play.

13 comments:

Shelley said...

Found your blog via Everyday Matters. I pop in there from time to time, but don't post as I haven't done much art lately.

Anyhow, this reflector gizmo sounds cool - what is it called? Looks like a fun way for the artistically challenged to play!

Shelley

dibujandoarte said...

i think i remember that conversation at the group, haha. you're a woman who always gets what she wants, I see, hahaha. good job with the drawing!!! greetings.

Sandy in Michigan said...

Nancy, Thanks for posting this. From the Everyday Matters discussion I couldn't picture what it would look like. Now I know!

Vicki Holdwick said...

You do always have the best toys!!!

Can't wait to get together on Thursday.

xoxo

Timaree said...

I always wondered if these things really worked. Guess they do!

Anonymous said...

How interesting - you made a pretty good sketch with it!

Marilyn Harris Mills aka Maer said...

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Alex said...

Very interesting indeed! I am going to head to the site and see what else they got. Thank you ^^

Sarah said...

Interesting - but I think your drawings are a lot better and more characterful without it so I think you've made the right decisions about what to do with it.

Vicki Holdwick said...

Hi Nancy,

I've just given you a blog award. Come on over to read all about it.

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Thank you Nancy for posting the picture and explanation. I never heard of this thing before, so simple.

Ann said...

It looks and sounds kind of frustrating to me. I think you have made a wise decision to let the kids play with it. And I agree that your drawings have a lot more life on their own.

Anonymous said...

AHhahah! I really started something with this gizmo, didn't I? Glad to seee you finally got your hands on one and tried it out.