Drawing Duplication Gimmick (DIY) Explained

[retired]

I have had a lot of success with gimmiking a marker pen with a small mirror. The type of marker has a hollow top end. I cut a small disk from a cheap convex plastic mirror and insert it into the hollow.

Performance: I give the subject a clip board with a piece of thick card on it. (It almost fills the board) and then uncap the marker and hand it to them with the cap covering the mirror end. I instruct the subject to think of a simple figure that they can draw without lifting the pen from the card and make it quite large. The subject is told that this will make visualising the image easier for them. This is done whilst my gaze is averted so that I cannot see the pen moving.

Then taking back the pen I recap the pen which exposes the mirror to me alone.

I then say " hold the board so I cannot see what is on it and to look at what you have drawn and try and burn the image into your mind on the inside of your forehead." (at the same time I reach forward and tap them on the forehead to emphasise where I am referring to.) It is easy to glimpse the drawing whilst doing this as it is reflected in the convex mirror.

I again ask for them to visualise the image because I am about to have them seal the image inside a large envelope to prevent me getting access to the image. ( This can be done as preshow work but I like to do it as part of the effect seen by the rest of the audience.)

I have then used a variety of approaches to revealing the image...simply sketching on another card and then asking them to look at my drawing and give me a score out of 10 for accuracy....
OR
Having the subject hold my wrist as I try to use auto writing......
OR
Removing a sealed envelope containing a similar drawing from a pocket if the subject has drawn a shape such as a circle inside a square or triangle etc.

This can demonstrate precognition as well as telepathy, if handled properly.

Hope you have fun working out new ways to use this versatile gimmick.

[Misjief]

Dude!

That is extremely clever! I have this huge stack of round mylar mirrored stickers that will fill the bill quite well. The stickers are so thin that I can actually stick them to the inside of my palm and the like but you idea offers better coverage!

Thanks...

-misj-

PS - our mentalist section is kinda sparse at the moment but there are a couple of tricks in there. One details sound writing and another pencil reading- both might interest you!

[Mayniac]

Wow that is a very, very clever gimmick. My question is, how big of a marker/mirror is this?

[retired]

Just big enough to fit in the hollow end of the marker pen.

[pcolamagic]

Let me get this straight. The mirror covers the hollow end of the marker cap..But not down in it? This way you will not be putting the cap back on the marker ? Great idea..Eddie

[chano]

Nicely done, can you post a video of you doing the effect?

[dupont]

yes a video would be great

[DidiMoco]

Nice. So, Did he post the video in other place? The video will be good.

[Ciarmageddon]

i didn't understand when and how you actually glimpse the drawing, so please can you upload a video or maybe some photos? thanks

[Misjief]

C-

I went and reread what was here (in order to respond to you) LOL

I realized that MANY people didn't understand the idea fully. Maybe I don't either, but I think I do.

Many of the marker caps have a deep well in which the marking end of the pen goes, yet the opposite closed end of the cap has far more shallow well in it as well that would work great for hiding the mirror. Does that make more sense?

-misj-