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MAGIC DRAWING BOARD by Axtell
The Puppet of a Thousand Faces
One of the Most Innovative, Exciting Illusions in Years!
Steve, I would like the time to thank you for a great reputation maker. About 8-10 months ago, I purchased the magic drawing board and 3 AxTrax and just preformed the Art-O-Matic for the first time last month. The people that I preformed for was grateful for the show and have received more calls on doing other shows just because of your product. Again, THANK YOU and keep up the good workmanship!! Thanks, Michael D. Frisbee Jr.
See M&M Magic's Review of the Magic Drawing Board
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You (or with a volunteer) draw ANYsimple face on the board....
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(Mickey Mouse, Fred Flintstone or even someone in audience!)
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Now that was easy....but then something strange begins to happen...
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Right before their eyes, the drawing comes to life! It's eyes move and the mouth opens and closes, under your complete control! (Your audience jumps and gasps, your adrenaline rushes - you know you have a hit!)
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I found a solution to cleaning your boards when one forgets to immediately clean off the drawing. I found that if I go over the old/dried drawing with the same marker
and then clean it immediately, it takes the old lines with it!!! Robert Bremner, Austrailia
The above works great if you're at a show or in a pinch. You can also use straight rubbing alchohol (Isopropyl or Surgical Spirits) at home for a complete cleaning with expo2 or low odor. Ax
Note - "Expo 2 Dry Erase Markers" are also now called "Expo Low Odor Dry Erase" markers. 
They are the SAME. However do not use regular "Expo" Markers. More info here.
Thousands of performers use the board and many don't use any voice at all. Some just draw the character and have it move around when you're not looking. The audience goes crazy. Then when you look at it...it stops. Turn away again toward the audience and the board then sticks it tongue out (opens the mouth). It's really funny. Some will just turn on a CD of some song and have it lip synch. Then when the mouth get's erased they stop the music (or if it was recorded using an old record, they put their finger on the record and it slows way down.....) Very funny. Of course with vent or the tapes the routine takes on much more life. BUT you don't have to be a VENT to do voices! When the character talks, you simply turn your head toward it and talk. They can't really see your mouth because you are turning to the side, plus the character's mouth is moving and is MUCH BIGGER than your own. It's great. We also have the AxTrax routines pre-recorded on CD, so you have MANY choices!
"The Two and Only".
Steve Rose
doing an AxTrax CD routine "Art-O-Matic".
EGG BAG IDEA by Ony Carcamo, PHILIPPINES
I have been using the egg bag (Malini-type, black color) for quite sometime and I thought one time to use the bag as ERASER for my MDB--while the egg is loaded inside. After my MBD bit, I explain to the audience that the cloth eraser is actually a small bag. Then I produce the egg! The production proved to be more convincing, since they saw the cloth being used as eraser a while back.
You could also draw and Easter Bunny on the Board... and then produce it's Easter Egg from the wipecloth. At the end of the routine the Rabbit on the board could say....I will hide an egg for you to find, but for now I must say goodbye...! Then after you erase him you show the black cloth on both sides, bring up a kid fold up the wipecloth (eggbag) and then produce the plastic Easter egg for them. (full of candy).
a talking dinosaur!
My opening trick is the "off the meter" and my encore presentation is "the magic drawing board". It's only my third year as a magician...but people think that I do magic as a profession.
Quijuan Maloof SF, CA
CONNY RAY - Sweden
watch clip for Magic Drawing Board.
"Birthday Magic" AxTrax
I did some shows a few days ago for some 2nd and 4th graders. I each case, I had them help me draw Harry Potter's face on the Magic Drawing Board. They really like making the contribution. Then, when the Wizzard moved his eyes and started talking. Wow, they really thought that was great. It's a really timely thing to do. Give it a try. It might help if you see the movie. Bill Lisby
HINT: With the standard MDB I have my case set up with a hidden pocket. In the beginning I set the ungimmicked one behind and the MDB in the pocket. The ungimmicked one can't be seen from out front. When I use the MDB I pull it from the pocket and then return it. I appear to fumble getting it in and pretend to put it behind, shifting the ungimmicked one so it slightly shows. Everyone thinks it is the one I just used. After the show, as I pack up, I put the ungimmicked one aside to pack on top. People are always trying to see it. I may even pick it up casually and let it turn around. I can even let people look at it. I had one guy tell me he knew how I did it so I let him look at it. He looked it over carefully and then said, "Just as I thought." It was all I could do to keep from laughing.
"Stories and Magic with Bob and Friends"
Bob Shimer, StoryVent, (STORYteller-VENTriloquist-magician)
As you can see from the photo it's a very simple idea. It's an 1 1/2 inch long piece of aluminium x 3/4 inch wide with a 1/4 inch bent up on each side and then screwed to the eye movement. I find this a lot easier to use just my thumb, instead of finger and thumb leaving 4 fingers to hold the board.
I hope this helps anyone wishing to adopt this method.
Many thanks.... Marky Wild
If the venue is having a Santa I arrange to call him and invite him to come using the Sketch-o-Phone (Axtell Magic Drawing Board). I usually end with a story I wrote called, "The Innkeeper's Story". My first Christmas story is the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
Bob Shimer, StoryVent (STORYteller-VENTriloquist-magician)
The Axtell Magic Drawing Board has been copied by several magic companies and those that infringe on our legal rights have been stopped. This illusion is one of Magic's classics now. Be careful of ordering a different drawing board type product from another company thinking that it is the same product and same quality as the Axtell Magic Drawing Board.
If you see knock offs of any of our products in the market place please let us know. THANKS!
I used the Drawing Board for the first time Sunday at church during Training Union. It was a big hit, and everyone told me how enjoyable it was. I have only had the drawing board for two weeks. I believe in its Magic.
Charlie Tomlinson
Florida City, Florida
by Tony L. Lewis
1. I wished to make sure that the eye lever was at its maximum permissible position without looking at the board. I found that the suggested method of lining up the two levers was not that dependable for me.
I solved the problem as follows: I moved the lever to the maximum point where the eyes were still visible. As I did so, I marked the point where my index finger was in contact with the bottom of the leverÕs groove. I then used a serrated blade to make an extremely small notch in the groove at the marked point. I took care to make sure the notch was small enough so as not to interfere with the sliding of the lever.
Thus, by feeling for that notch, I can now manipulate the lever with the complete surety that I will not move the eyes outside of their holes.
Note, that such a notch cannot be incorporated into the board's construction, as its position will vary slightly depending on the hand size of each individual user.
(AxNote - Others have used the above method to "mark that magic spot" also. Thanks for sharing this great tip Tony!)
2. I have never had any noticeable artistic ability. I knew that the pictures I would draw on the board would never win any prizes, but I did want them to be as presentable as possible.
To train myself for this purpose, I took a large number of 8 1/2 by 11 inch sheets and placed them in a clipboard. I then proceeded to draw faces on each one, numbering them as I went along. I compared my various efforts and picked out the one that I thought was the most presentable.
I next practiced drawing that face until I could do so without hesitation.
Click here to see this image larger.
See M&M Magic's review of this product!
Dear Steve- Just did a show for 400 kids today, alot of magic and vent. The Axtell Drawing Board was the hit of the show. I even stepped on it later while getting my figure out and it didn't hurt it at all. ( not recommeded, but good to know it's sturdy) ...Sincerely, M.A. "Denny" Denemark (Publisher of the Great Ventriloquists Trading Cards)
COVER THE BACK - I have one tip for you, and you may want to do this. I put a strip of one side of a velcro ON TOP OF THE ALUMINUM frame of my MDB. Then during the show, after I get the board out of the black cloth case, I attach the cloth case velcro (found inside the opening) to the top of the frame and hang the cloth at the back of the case--COVERING MY LEFT HAND, THE BACK OF THE CASE, AND THE CONTR**S. So I can use my MDB surrounded. What's your experience with the small MBD? Ony Carcamo, PHILIPPINES
Check out this video of Billy Wiz using the board!
Hi Steve, ... I had been intrigued by the adds you ran, but never having met you or seen your products, I had a wait & see attitude. Someone did plug the board on this newsletter (I think) which again intrigued me, but I don't mail order products site unseen. Like all of us Clowns--I have a trunk full of magic, that I do not use--not taking the time yet to perfect the routines. There is no practice with the drawing board--within minutes I had a silly face talking to my kids--my biggest fans and best critics. These boys have seen all the magic shows pro & workshop--seen Mom & friends practice, and helped me develop my "lines" --the 10 (ten) year old who is highly intelligent & talented in many ways including slight of hand, was open mouthed in awe! The 5 year old who is silly, & sometimes a bit slow, walked around the table & said "Hey let me see the back of that--you must be moving something." Even thier Dad had missed the eyes coming out, and was astonished that I was doing this great Magic--right before their eyes, and he didn't know how. Anyone else reading this semi-private note to Steve--I have not met him, this is not a "paid" plug--just feel when we find a great product made to entertain kids & adults--everyone should know! Thanks Berry-Merry
"The Axtell Drawing Board looks like real magic! You simply must try it ! " - David Ginn, Magician / Author
"Every time I have used it the response has been amazing." Berto
Customer Comments:
"The audience went wild when I used your board !" - J.W.
Just wanted to let you know that the 'Axtell Drawing Board' has been in my act for over five years and I must admit that it is SOOOO STRONG that anything you perform after should be nothing less than a miracle.
When I perform the 'board', I usually ask the audience to help me draw a picture, asking them if they want big ears, what kind of a nose, and I always forget to draw in the mouth. As I say the magic words the eyes alone start to move. The audience goes wild and of course, I never catch the eyes moving when I look. After a couple of funny moments with this I realize that the cartoon is trying to say something and cannot because I have forgotten to draw in the mouth. Well, you can see what fun this is to perform and all I can say is: you better have a really strong finish because anything you perform after the Axtell board is almost always forgotten. This effect is the closest thing to real magic.
Steve Axtell has out done himself and I thank him at every show I perform. Get one, it will force you to improve your whole act, believe me. My entire act had to be improved just to keep up with the magic that is created with this wonderful prop. During the past five years of performing magic as a full time professional, I can assure anyone that takes the time to work in this prop that it will improve their act a thousand fold!
Ken Winters Magician
Just wanted to let you know that your promo statements about the Axtell Drawing Board were right on the money. Used it for the first time this past weekend at a concert. The reaction from the "kids" (both young and old) was phenominal! The moving eyes got them fired up but when he began to talk...well, let's just say I had their undivided attention...An excellent teaching tool! Thanks for another quality product. Steve Toegel
Simple to operate
Mouth and eyes move when you want them to
No electronics or batteries....totally mechanical!
AxTrax® Interactive PerformanceRoutines on CD!
We also make it simple for you to perform with the new "AXTRAX" CDs.
They are sure-fire routines with music, sound effects and the cartoon's voice right on the CD. All you do is perform the trick and talk back to the cartoon in the blank spots!
Question.. How can I use the Magic Drawing Board in a classroom setting?
Answer.... For starters, there's the whole AxTrax "Art-O-Matic" routine. A salesman sold you a tape that promises you will become an instant artist. You follow the steps and it turns out to be a funny cartoon, you are disappointed. Then it comes to life and goes into the routine that very funny. In an educational setting you could use that routine to preface a talk on ...the importance of Following Directions...Trying to find instant results instead of learning all the basics first...
Beyond that...you could draw ANY historical character and bring them to life in a classroom.
Betsy Ross...Abe Lincoln...Martin Luther King...you name it. Its the puppet of 1000 faces.
How to use the Magic Drawing Board in the same show
with the Special Effects Drawing Board....
From: Neale Bacon
Idea: Start with Magic Board and draw a picture of the one grumpy guy who always spoils the show by saying you can't do it right etc. He then comes to life and gives you a hard time. You then fool him by doing a card trick using the SFX board. Keep switching back and forth between board and make it a running gag.
AxNote - Cool idea using both boards at the same time. If you really want to develop this skill, you can do what other customers have done...order one Left Handed and one Right Handed!
From: Steve Axtell
Idea: Start by drawing a space ship on the SFX board and an alien keeps popping his head up, but you don't see him! The kids will be screaming. You erase the space ship and put the board away, but you keep talking to the screaming kids. What did he look like? Big eyes? Big head? Let's draw a picture of him. Let me get the drawing board again. (Get the Magic Drawing board this time) you draw his head as the kids describe him. Then let him start looking around the room and finally he talks to you! You could have fun and learn scientific facts about a real planet from the routine.
Bruce Hallam (The Plaster Pastor)
As I said before every plaster cast has their own story to tell (over 300 of them). Tommy Turtle tells about the advantages of being patience in growing up. Pony Tails shares about the value of friendships. Lazy Dog about the importance of the decisions we don't make and their lasting effect and The Unicorn Twins have a little story about obedience and the truth. In this story the unicorns bounce in and out of the trees and converse with a young girl who has ran away from home and lost her way after disobeying Mum. Your boards will make this story and many others really come alive.
The Plaster Pastor (Bruce Hallam)
I run a Christian based Mobile Plaster and Craft fun centre at markets, fairs and shows as an outreach downunder in Oz. I can make my plaster models come alive with the use of these boards with characters like Tommy Turtle, Pony Tails, Lazy Dog all sharing their own stories.
AxNote - Now that's what I call breaking out of the mold!
From:
Each year I have the privilege of teaching several Junior Missionary Conferences. These would be fun to challenge the children to be future missionaries.
AxNote - You could draw faces of different nationalities from around the world - changing accents as you erase and add costuming from one nation to another. Or...as you change the character - have it sing a song and change the language as you change nationalities. "Yes Jesus loves me...Si Christo..mi ama...." etc.
Kerry Williams
Great attention grabbers.. The special effects board could be used to get the attention as the routine unfolds with the magic drawing board. The special effects board could keep the attention by interrupting as you are preforming the drawing board to instruct the lesson or reinforces the lesson. Could you use the special effects board as a way to have the audience participate as to when to laugh or applause!? possible!
AxNote - Sure! A great way to warm up a crowd is by drawing the words "NO APPLAUSE" or "NO LAUGHING" on the SFX board in front of the audience. Since the Special Effects Board can be customized - you can open the Board and put a gimmick in it with the word "NO" on it. In the performance you say something like..."In today's show there will be times to laugh and times NOT to laugh, and times to applaud, and times NOT to applaud. It's easy to pretend to draw the word "no" because it's a small word and easily covered by your hand holding the marker...then you do actually write the word "applause" or "laughing" below it. (The audience thinks you've just written BOTH WORDS on the board). Then when you are not looking pull the word "NO" down so all that remains is the word "applause" or "laughing". The jokers in the audience will start it off and soon everyone will join in either laughing or applauding whenever the word "NO" disappears! You can have a lot of fun with ideas like this.
Maggie Murray
I would use both boards in teaching the 6 Pilars of Character Counts to schools, churches and other groups interested in Character Counts. I'd draw a pilar on one board which would tell the audience what the Pilar of the month was, and the second special effects board would periodically pop up the Pilar (word: respect) every now and then to get everyone's attention.
AxNote - What are the 6 Pilars?
1. Caring 2. Citizenship 3. Fairness 4. Respect 5. Responsibility 6. Trustworthiness
Sometimes I draw a pilar with the word above the pilar, and sometimes I draw a boy or a girl...the Special Effects board would be fun to have as a companion board. I met Michael Josephson, the man who created Character Counts and my boss is also one of the big sponsors for Character Counts - He's Senator Pete Domenici...you might say, I'm a moonlighting congressional aide who talks for two! Maybe three?
I might add that Shari Lewis is also on our list of supporters...so this is really a great program and I'm very proud to be a part of it. (also Barney, Tom Selleck, and Colin Powell)
From: "ACTS
I run a Christian based Mobile Plaster and Craft fun centre at markets, fairs and shows as an outreach downunder in Oz. I would use both boards to promote gospel stories and our product range in fun ways.
Steve: I actually have one magic board already and I'm a big hit in Santa Fe - this is a wonderful, wonderful item!!! I was inducted as an Honorary Member of one of the local Rotary Clubs because of my work with the Magic Board and Character Counts! Thanks again - Without this wonderful board, I don't think I would have been inducted - in fact, I accused them of wanting to induct the board and not me!!
AxNote - Hey in Rotary you may become Chairman of the Board!
I would use the boards along with my friend in teaching Bible Lessons to the children in many, many classes and also to the adults!
AxNote - Ahh...Being presented by 2 performers at the same time could be interesting!
Carl "Will Rejoice" *¿*
Take the SFX board to your next business meeting. You draw a graph showing projected sales figures, and the figures keep going UP when your not looking. Then draw a picture of your new product, which comes alive and talks about itself
AxNote - Yup! And the sale graph can come down again to illustrate what happens when the salesmen aren't doing their jobs!
- I often combine the magic drawing board with a sucker prediction routine ; a boy / girl from the audience continues the portray drawing on the board (showing an oval O with a line for the mouth and two eye holes)and is asked to draw the person on the board with one hand holding a certain card I don´t know yet, and I´m to chose the right card. The card on the board is shown to the audience and then wiped out the card is - not visibly to me - written on a large piece of paper that is put into a larg envelope which is sealed. I try to figgure out the right card but somehow I fail and the board starts to call me stupid.....only the kids can help me out !
Tom Miehl
From: Scott Stark
I would use both together having the drawing board character perform a magic trick by using the other board. How cool would it be to transport the drawing board character into the magic board or vice versa. Now that would be cool.
AxNote - A cool way to transport it is with the wipecloth. After you talk with the guy on the MDB, you erase him and he ends up in the cloth. You can still talk with the cloth while you put the board away. Just wiggle your finger inside the cloth an it will animate while it speaks. Then grab the sfx board and draw something like a house with a window. You can flick the cloth at that drawn house and up pops the character in the window! Play a little "look but don't see" and you have a great finish!
From: "Patricia Robinson"
I would use Board buddy for the holidays , at Christmas he would be a Tree, sing and talking to the kids. Then have one of the kids draw a face, and then you make it come to life.
AxNote - What is "Board Buddy"? Is that a name you've given it? Cute!
I would use these boards with my puppet shows and clown ministry. I would draw a clown face, have child use colored silks to color nose, and collar and then have then make it animated.
From: "Joseph A. Owens"
I would use them to make a snake dance out of a basket (yes I can play a recorder with one hand)
AxNote - Cool Joe! Can you blow it with one lip? The Special Effects board can make the snake rise up from your hand drawn basket. Could you incorporate the Magic Drawing Board in this routine? Perhaps draw a Hindu type character with a turban or a close up of the snake and make it talk or hiss?
Carl "Will Rejoice" *¿*
Christmas Idea: In my program, "The search for the perfect Christmas tree." We are looking for the perfect Christmas tree (good idea and it goes with the title Ü). I draw a picture of the tree I want and the tree comes to life (a la the Magic Drawing Board). At the end of the program I bring the same picture of the tree out (but on the SFX Board) and realize that I forgot to draw a tree topper. My assistant "magically" produces a real tree topper, while I "magically" produce the drawn tree topper. And of course before the program started we would use the ungimmicked board to write down the names of all the good boys and girls (BOTH OF THEM Ü).
AxNote - Thanks for sharing your tested routine!
I would use these boards to teach a number of Bible Lessons in my Teacher Training Classes and to the boys and girls!
AxNote - There are some good Gospel ideas on our Magic Drawing Board Idea page to read about.
Name: Daniel Jay
Idea : I would use the Special Effects Drawing board first to produce a forced card. Then switch after a short routine, to the Magic Drawing Board and draw a picture of a magician that produced the card. Wella, he comes to life!!
AxNote - Great idea! This really incorporates both boards in a show. You can also use the Ungimmicked board in the show by passing it around to have people draw on it in the crowd. They can examine it.
Jim Moon -
I perform Run-Run Rabbit with a lot of by-play in Reggie the Rabbit sneaking over to see his girl friend LuLu Belle next door. When Reggie finally disappears I look all over the place but cannot find him. I then use the SFX board to begin the next “illusion” but Reggie is already there in the hat peeking out as the kids start yelling and screaming that they see him but I don’t until the finish of course.
AxNote - Jim thanks for sharing your routine with us. You could end by drawing his big rabbit face on the Magic Drawing Board and talking with him. (Watch his buck teeth though!) Dianna Hale
Great Art should be Hung.
Art Should be seen not heard.
Came out of the attic...closet....?
I've been framed.
Need to get out of the light, starting to fade.
Have you seen the Mona Lisa? Art has crush on her, wants to move closer on wall.
Art: Picture of vent's wife next to yours, what did she see in you? You've really changed.
Want to face window, vent's room needs a makeover
Art: When are you going to get a real job?
art related jokes: Knock, Knock.. etc.
Magic Drawing Board
Magic Drawing Board
