Asymmetrical Mirror

Materials:

sketchbook or paper
1/4" MDF (medium density fiberboard) wood composite material
hand held electric saber saw
power drill
medium-grade sandpaper
interior paint primer
primer brush
acrylic molding paste
iridescent copper acrylic paint
green oxide acrylic interference paint
water in container
mirror glass
acrylic gloss gel
blue painter's tape
assorted papers:
- fall or warm palette colors
- tissue paper in black cream, dark mid-tones, copper and gold
- thin colored paper
- vellum
palette knife
comb
blow dryer
small paper scissors
soft flat paintbrush
mirror mastic (adhesive)
caulking gun
plastic gloves
4 small wood blocks
2, 3/16" screw eyes
wood glue
8" thin picture hanging wire

1. Draw an asymmetrical paper template 18" x 18" sketch of the frame. Cut out the paper template. Tape it to a piece of MDF (medium density fiberboard) using blue painter's tape (figure A). The width of each side of the frame will vary between 3- and 3-1/2-inches because of the asymmetrical design. Trace the outline of the frame onto the wood.

2. Cut out the pattern on the wood with a hand held electric saber saw along the outside edges (figure B). Drill a starter hole to cut out the center of the frame. Cut the inside hole of the frame with a saber saw.

3. Sand the inside and outside edges smooth (figure C).

4. Prime the front side and the edges of the frame with interior primer. Let the frame dry for one hour.

5. Spread molding paste on the front of the frame with a palette knife (figure D).

6. Comb the molding paste to add texture while it is still wet (figure E). Let the paste dry overnight.

7. Paint the surface with iridescent copper paint (figure F). Let it dry one hour or blow it dry with a hair dryer.

8. Apply green oxide interference paint in selected areas. Leave some copper areas showing (figure G). Blow dry.

9. Cut curved ribbons from the papers with small sharp paper scissors. Cut some as thin as 1/8 inch, some as thick as 1 inch and vary the shape of the curves (figure H).

10. Apply acrylic soft gel gloss to glue the papers to the frame with a soft flat brush (figure I). Brush a coat of the gel on top of the paper. Wrap and glue each paper ribbon around the edges and wrap around the back about 1/4 inch. Let dry overnight.

11. Apply small 1/4-inch dabs of mirror mastic to the back of the frame (figure J).

12. Position the mirror on the back of the frame so that the mirror faces the front of the frame and glue it to the frame. Position two small wood blocks at the top of the back of the frame about three inches apart. Mark their position and apply wood glue (figure K). These serve as spacers, provide dimension and also used to hold the frame wire.

13. Position the other two blocks at the bottom of the frame as far to the inside of the frame as possible so they aren’t seen from the side. These are used as spacers.

14. Position the two screw eyes vertically on top of the top two-spacer blocks. Attach them (figure L).

15. Attach the picture wire through both screw eyes doubling back and twisting the wire to secure to the asymmetrical mirror.

Website: www.PatriciaForbesart.com