Reflections Tutorial

Do you remember this card from a blog hop earlier this summer?

 I taught this class about mirror images on the VC Rocks yahoo group.  If you try this technique, please let me know.  I would love to see your creations!

Two ways I do reflections: 

First and easiest way: Read through the steps and reminders before starting.

Stamp image. Then turn either the paper or stamp around to stamp reflection below the picture.

**Remember to stamp off first for lighter image on the reflection. Also keep in mind, you need to find your light source, so the reflection is leaning in the correct direction.  My light source is coming from the top left.  This works well with trees and shrubs, but may not work for animals and ships.

For the class, I stamped on white paper.  But for easier placement of stamped images, I advise you to put color on your paper first, then stamp the images. Most of the time I will brayer or sponge on ink, but if you are more talented than me, you could watercolor, use the pastels, sponge daubers, direct to paper ink technique.  Also after stamping I usually have to come back and sponge in a little color, to cover my mistakes.  Lol.  See the card from above.

Second way to do a reflection is by using the smooth side of the plastic sheet from the stamp-a-ma-jig (SAMJ).  Make sure it is clean first.  You will not need the SAMJ positioner for this part.

The first thing you stamp will be the reflection. Since you are going to use the plastic sheet, you will not need to stamp off the ink before stamping the sheet.

If you plan to use dark or vibrant colors, I suggest stamping with Basic Black classic ink. If you go with pastel colors, you will be able to use the Basic Gray.

You can see how I stamped on the smooth, shiny side of the sheet. Also the image is not perfect because of the slickness of the sheet, but that is perfect for a reflected image.

Next flip the sheet over and then firmly hold it in place with one hand while you rub the image off with the other hand. Once again the
image will be a little blurred, but thatʼs what a reflection is.

I used the clear mount stamp of The Open Sea set from Stampin' Up!, so it was easy to see where to place my actual image. Since it is in or near the water, it looks better if
your images overlap just a bit.

I also challenged myself with a more complex reflected image.  For this card I could have used either method of making reflections.  For the row of trees I needed to use my stamp positioner from the SAMJ to get them straight across the card.

Okay, a few variations: 

1- Instead of using the plastic sheet, you can use acetate or cellophane bag. Some people even brayer over the inked up stamp and then roll the image onto the paper. 

2- Use a torn piece of post it note at the middle where the images meet and then stamp, to give you a little texture at the water/grass line. 

3- Use this for a mirror image effect, just flip sheet over on the side. Since the mirrored image will not be as dark, you can fill in those weak spots with a marker. Use permanent marker if you plan to color in the image. 

4- A mirror image can also be made by stamping on vellum, then turning over and adhering next to your first image. 

5- Use this reflection technique on houses, which look pretty reflected on the street in the moonlight. And ice skaters need a reflection on the ice, right?

You can see more reflections cards at Stampin' Stace Blog.  Just scroll down for several entries.