secret image room

Colorful Design

overview

this project is simple to construct and packs a huge punch. even when you know exactly how it is made (and how the trick is played), the reveal is still a *wow* every time.

45 minutes

maker checklist

  • 2 sheets of color cardstock
  • 2 sheets of white cardstock
  • 1 piece of transparency
  • pencil and ruler
  • scissors and tape
  • Sharpie pen
  • colorful markers

instructions

1

cut a sheet of transparency and a sheet of white cardstock to 8×10 inches.

2

tape the two together, securely across the 8-inch edge. make sure the sheets are well aligned. set aside. (you’ll come back to it in the drawing and coloring step!)

3

measure 1-inch in from each side of one sheet of colorful cardstock. cut out the rectangle and use for another project.

4

stack a sheet of white cardstock on the full sheet of colorful cardstock, and tape along the bottom (8 1/2 inch) edge.

5

layer the first (cut) sheet of cardstock on top to create a frame. tape securely around 3 edges, leaving the top open. set aside.

tip!

you have a sandwich. solid sheet on the bottom. white sheet in the middle. frame on top. they are attached around 3 sides but left open along the top. the insert (which we made in step 1+2) will slide in along the open edge.

6

unfold the transparency from the white cardstock, and – working on the paper – create a drawing in pencil, then color it in with markers.

tip!

draw lightly enough so that the pencil lines can be erased.

7

fold the transparency back on top and – working on the transparency – trace all the outlines of the drawing in permanent black marker.

tip!

when you open it again, you will have a mirror image drawing – one in color and the other in black outline.

8

insert the drawing into the frame so that the colorful sheet lies *under* the white inner sheet and the transparency with the black line drawing lies on *top* of the inner sleeve and shows through in the frame.

9

reveal the color by sliding the drawing out of the frame. as you pull it away, the color is revealed underneath – like magic!

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