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how to draw a mirror

How to draw a mirror - a free mirror drawing guide
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Learn to draw a wall mirror with a simple frame and reflected objects, practicing shapes, proportions, shading, and symmetry step by step.

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Photos of wall mirror drawings

Drawing example 1
Drawing example 2
Drawing example 3
Drawing example 4
Drawing example 5
Drawing example 6

Step-by-step guide to draw a wall mirror

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How to Draw a Mirror step by step easy

What you need
Black pen optional, colouring materials (markers crayons or coloured pencils), eraser, paper, pencil, ruler, tissue or cotton swab for blending optional

Step 1

Set up a flat workspace with your paper and pencil ready.

Step 2

Lightly draw a vertical centerline down the middle of the paper to help keep the mirror symmetrical.

Step 3

Lightly sketch the mirror's outer frame shape centered on the centerline such as a rectangle oval or circle.

Step 4

Draw a second parallel line inside the outer frame to show the frame thickness.

Step 5

Use the ruler to mark equal distances from the centerline on both sides to check the frame proportions.

Step 6

Lightly sketch simple reflected objects inside the inner mirror area using basic shapes like a vase a window and a small plant.

Step 7

Align each reflected object so its left and right halves line up with the centerline for symmetry.

Step 8

Add frame details such as grooves rounded corners or beads with light pencil strokes.

Step 9

Shade the mirror glass with very light diagonal strokes leaving a small white area as a highlight.

Step 10

Shade the frame darker than the glass using firmer pencil pressure to show depth.

Step 11

Carefully erase the centerline and any stray sketch marks without removing your main drawing.

Step 12

Ink over your final outlines with a pen for a crisp finish if you want a bold look.

Step 13

Colour the frame and the reflected objects and gently blend shaded areas with a tissue or cotton swab.

Step 14

Draw and shade a small wall shadow under the mirror to show it is hanging on the wall.

Step 15

Share a photo of your finished mirror drawing on DIY.org.

Final steps

You're almost there! Complete all the steps, bring your creation to life, post it, and conquer the challenge!

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Help!?

What can we use instead of a ruler or cotton swab if we don't have them?

If you don't have a ruler, use the straight edge of a book or a credit card to mark equal distances from the centerline, and substitute a tissue corner or clean fingertip for a cotton swab when blending shaded areas.

My mirror looks lopsided after sketching — how do I fix it before inking?

If the frame or reflected objects look lopsided, use your ruler marks to measure equal distances from the centerline, erase small sections of the outer frame or object, and lightly resketch before inking to maintain symmetry.

How can I change the activity for different ages?

For younger children simplify steps by having them draw a single oval frame and large basic reflected shapes without the inner parallel line, while older kids can follow every instruction including detailed frame grooves, diagonal shading, and inking.

How can we make the finished mirror drawing more interesting or personal?

To personalize and extend the project, add a patterned frame or real photograph reflection, deepen contrast by shading the frame darker than the glass as instructed, draw a wall shadow underneath, then ink and colour before sharing a photo on DIY.org.

Watch videos on how to draw a wall mirror

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#381 How to Draw a Mirror - Easy Drawing Tutorial

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Facts about drawing and sketching for kids

✏️ Shading shows where light hits and where shadows fall; darker tones go on surfaces turned away from the light.

🪞 A flat mirror flips front-to-back, which is why words look reversed when you hold them up to a mirror.

📏 Breaking objects into simple shapes (circles, rectangles, ovals) makes it much easier to draw frames and reflections.

👀 Drawing reflections trains your eye for proportions and angles — tiny mistakes make reflections look ‘off’.

🔁 Mirror reflections are symmetrical across the mirror plane — great practice for learning symmetry in drawing.

How do I teach my child to draw a wall mirror with a simple frame and reflected objects step by step?

Start by choosing the mirror shape (oval, round, rectangle). Lightly draw the outer frame, then mark a vertical centerline for symmetry. Sketch simple reflected objects inside the mirror using basic shapes, reversing left and right relative to the centerline. Check proportions by measuring object sizes against the mirror. Add frame details, then shade the glass with soft, horizontal strokes and subtle highlights. Finish by erasing guide lines and refining outlines.

What materials do I need to draw a mirror with reflected objects?

You’ll need plain drawing paper, a set of pencils (HB and 2B or similar), a soft eraser, and a ruler. Optional helpful items: a compass or round template for circular mirrors, blending stump or tissue for shading, colored pencils or markers for color, and a small handheld mirror or photos for reference. Keep a sharpener and scrap paper for testing shading tones.

What ages is this mirror-drawing activity suitable for?

This activity adapts well: ages 4–7 can practice simple shapes and tracing a mirror outline with adult help; ages 8–12 can work on proportions, reversing reflected objects, and basic shading; teens can refine symmetry, advanced shading, and composition. Adjust complexity to each child’s attention span and skill, and offer step-by-step prompts or examples for younger children.

What are the benefits of drawing mirrors and reflections for children?

Drawing mirrors strengthens observation, symmetry awareness, and spatial reasoning as kids learn to reverse reflections. It improves fine motor control, proportion estimation, and shading skills that build realism. The activity encourages patience, problem solving, and creativity when choosing reflected objects. Practicing reflections also connects art to geometry and visual memory, boosting confidence as children see measurable improvement in accuracy and detail.
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