How do people that own the Axtell Magic Drawing Board handle drawing the eyes on the magic drawing board? The instructions say to do it as you flip it around, or to block the area with your arm while you reposition the eyes. Flipping it around so the controls are not visible and moving the eyes in place seems a bit awkward to me, as does trying to position my whole arm across that area. What is your favorite method?

Start with the eye furthest away from you. Use your hand and arm to cover the action of the eyes. This is the way that I do it. It isn't hard for me or feel awkward.

Ray

I always drew the eyes with the board facing the audience, and nobody ever saw a thing. I would draw both circles for the eyes first, then do the pupils after that. As I'd reach over to the further eye, I would cover most of the circle with my hand, as I pretended to draw the pupil - then I'd do the move. Next, simply keep your hand and arm close to the board, and move directly over to the closer eye to mime the actions of drawing the pupil one more time. Don't be afraid that anyone will see the pupils Òcoming into playÓ. Think about how tiny those dots are, compared to your arm/hand. Very easy to conceal.

Plus, No one is looking for a "move". They are watching you draw a picture. And in the end, it's really just a puppet. No great mystery, but a nice little surprise when the eyes move.

That's how I do it and I have never been caught, just keep the board close and make little circle motions with the pen without touching the board. That's the key part but if you do touch, just use a free finger on your right hand (with the pen) and smudge it off. It doesn't take much practice but just be aware of your angles. Without really thinking about it until just now, I place the heal and right side of my hand literally on the board (palm facing up)and pretend to draw under this cover. I have the board facing the audience at all times. It's me who moves to the side (with the right side of my body toward the audience). That position allows me to make the drawing of the pupils look very natural. Like Danny, I draw the round eyes first, then come back and do the pupils starting with the farthest one. Remember to keep your arm close to the board and cover the left pupil until it's time to reveal that one.

I draw the circles first, then turn the board slightly towards me to draw the dots. I turn it enough for them not to see what I'm doing, not all the way around, but enough to make it look natural. IAs I draw the second dot, I turn the board so they can see me 'apparently' drawing it on.

I've never bothered with trying to hide it with my hand or arm, it works for me and while doing it this way, I'm casually showing the back of the board which shows I have nothing there to hide.

With the board facing the audience, lower the board to about waist height. This allows your arm to be parallel to the boards eyes.

First pretend to draw the farthest eye under cover of your hand. The closer eye is concealed with the drawing arm. Move your hand then to the closer eye. While they are looking at the eye "already drawn" pretend to draw the other eye.

When that is done raise the board back to the normal level. It appears you drew both eyes in front of them. It looks much better than the methods above, and only takes about 10 seconds.

I can't take credit for this. Steve Axtell taught it to me.

Note: the methods stated by other above still work and they might be best for you. We are talking about 10 seconds and the kids don't think like adults. It's not a major thing to do, so choose what looks best, and fells comfortable to you.

I also . Clip the wiping cloth between my fingers, of the dity hand ..so when the back of the board . is facing the Audience .. only for a brief second it hides the control
Keet

I draw the eyes, then draw the pupils under cover of my arm. Like Dennis said, it only takes a few seconds.

Regan

Thanks for the tips- especially using the cloth as cover- great idea.