Lippan Mirror Decor

Hi,

In my previous instructable, have given Lippan art in clock frame, this instructable is about making a Mirror that can be used as wall mirror. Giving artistic finish adds more aesthetic value to your interior decoration, hence this instructable will help you build one for yourself from scratch, Hope these instructions are simple and detailed to create for you !!

Supplies:

1) MDF Art board - 14 inch (Diameter)

2) Mirror - 8 inch (Diameter)

3) Acrylic colours - Aquamarine, Red, White, Sap green

4) Varnish

5) Lippan small cut out mirrors

6) Air dry clay

7) Polymer clay

8) Protractor, compass

9) Mirror sticking glue

10) Dotting tool

11) Glue pen to hold tiny mirror and place mirrors

Create a basic pattern, as Lippan design is symmetrical pattern work. Total MDF base size is 14 inches, mirror size 8 inch which goes in the center taking 8 inch diameter, remaining circumference will be filled with Lippan art work. Decided to go with lotus flower at Equidistance. Alternate space will be filled with cut mini mirror in a same pattern

As 14 inch diameter, 7 inch is radius, Find an old newspaper and fold measuring 7 inch. Cut the tip in a minimal way and spread the sheet, your newspaper matches the exact size of MDF board with slight cut open middle point. You have you center point to start your work

First draw 8 inch diameter circle from the center followed by 9 inch diameter circle, then proceed by marking angles using Protractor (360 degree). In Image 5, have kept protractor and measured 60 degrees

As i planned to proceed with 6 lotus in MDF mark 60 degree interval.

Mark 20 angle for 360 degree, and now 10 degree, Between the 1 inch gap, give wave shape based on the marked angle so it shall be uniform

Hand sketch a half lotus in double fold paper, cut out the shape, trace external layer and give details.

Roll your damp air dry clay on powdered surface using fingers approximating its thickness. Trace glue and start pasting the clay for lotus initially.

Progress step by step in lotus curves, repeat the same for 6 lotuses

Roll a fair amount of clay that's suitable to cover circumference of 9 inch circle, using flat edge tool give a texture on the clay. Roll out clay to cover the circumference of mirror

Once the air clay dries completely it started to shrink and gave gaps in between the running length of clay, Luckily for Lotus clay edges didn't change shape, it may be due to the fact that for lotus at every meeting point the clay was cut and fixed, whereas in case of circle it was running length, so when it got exposed to air, it shrunk more than its original length. So as rectification, scrapped air dry clay struck on the board especially for circle. Leaving out the lotus as such.

Using 20g of base clay and 20g of hardener, combine until it reaches even tone. Layout card board, powder up the base to provide non-sticking surface while rolling. Once acquired you required even thickness, apply glue on the surface and paste the polymer clay for both circles.

Now to fill the gap of between two circles by giving wave shape in polymer clay. Give any texture before clay dries up.

Once your clay work is done, start the base coating with white acrylic paint or white gesso, gave sponge touch to give textured base , except the center mirror give a nice coat of white.

For pink lotus, have mixed red and white to get a tone of pink i prefer, 80% white with 20% red, Paint all the lotus with obtained pink colour

Since lotus is in pink, to match is and give an blooming effect paint exterior circle with aquamarine blue. Inside circle gets sap green

Finally to enhance aesthetic, added a small swirl on both of ends of lotus in white colour

Once all colours have been given, fine the boundaries of clay with white paint as in few places given colours may have exceeded.

Give a varnish coat making the paint surface moisture resistant.

Image 1 indicates base plan of mirror fixing, they are not yet fixed but figuring the best shape and size for this base. Image 2 contains tool that helps in handling the position of lippan mirror. Its like glue stick, red is the gum sheet, tip contain hollow space which is filled with gum sheet, its non sticky and effective tool.

Started from inside to out, 10mm round mirror, drop shape of 8mm to give a flowery bud.

In between space of two lotus is being filled with blooming flower design using Lippan mirror, center circle of 6mm, eye shaped petals of 8mm and drop shape of 8mm

Place a 12 mm drop shape lippan mirror in all center of lotus. Remove the center paper

So finally your art work is ready. Hope you liked this instructable