Paint on One Side, Fold, Unfold and You Have Magic
This project is actually fantastic for little children, even toddlers. And it is frankly surprising the interesting results you can get out of such a simple process.
Inspire your child's creativity and get their little brains working.
We can build up a picture in steps, because often the paint dries a bit too quickly to get a good print all in one go. But it is all part of the fun of learning mirror fold printing.
This You Might Need for Mirror Fold Printing
How To Make A Mirror Fold Picture
Step One
Remember to have a little practise first, with every new project. Practising can be fun when it doesn't matter what the end results looks like. Diving right in to making the finished item is missing half the fun :)
So first, we want to fold our paper in half. Press down on the fold and make sure it is creased well. Open up the paper. For mirror fold painting you only work on one side of the paper. The other side is produced by printing from the first side. If that makes sense.
So pick a side you want to work on.
Use a plate or something circular to draw a semi-circle on your working side. You can just freehand a semi-circle. It's fun if you end up with a wobbly shaped lion.
Start Painting On One Side
Step Two
Fill in the semi-circle with paint. Don't take too long, we need most of the paint to be wet, so we can mirror fold print it on the other side.
So paint in your semi-circle with the colour you want. Who says you can't have a blue lion :)
Start Printing The Mirror Painting Picture
Step Three
Now quickly fold over the paper again, down the original crease. Press the two sides firmly together. Oh this is exciting.
Now, you don't need to wait. If you think it printed, open your paper back up and lay it flat again. Hopefully you now have a full circle of paint, where both sides are a mirror image of each other. Clever eh!
If it didn't print in certain places, just paint a bit more paint there and fold and press again.
You can leave it to dry a little between stages, if you feel happier. It may produce a neater result. But otherwise use the pencil to try and draw a star mane on your lion. If you are confident you can just have fun and paint away.
Remember, we are only working on one side. Paint on your lion's mane and fold the page again and see if it mirror fold prints over to the other side.
Finish Painting Our Mirror Print Picture
Step Four
Paint one eye and then half a mouth and fold and print one last time.
Keep mirror fold printing until you are happy with the results. You can just add details like the eyes without printing. It's all just about having fun.
We added a little pompom for the lion's nose. Doesn't he look great? Your lion will probably look different, but that is brilliant too. Lions of all shapes and sizes are amazing.
Now you know how to mirror fold print, see what else you can create. But remember, it has to be the same on each side.
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