Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Magna Doodle

In the days before the Cintiq and tablet PC, there was the Magna Doodle. This was probably my favorite toy when I was a child. Even though I'd eventually have to erase my drawings, there was something really cool about creating images with a stylus and magnetic particles.
One of my earliest memories about drawing involves trying to draw the Little Mermaid on model with my Magna Doodle (I believed I used the VHS box for reference). I was around 5 years old and I obviously lacked the drawing ability and probably the overall motor skills to sketch a proper Ariel, but I was really determined. After something like 3 hours of drawing and redrawing terrible attempts at Ariel, I went kind of bonkers...



It's been years since that day, but it is STILL pretty damn hard to draw Ariel on model.

Edit: Hahaha...Thanks for this link Mr. Woodside:

7 comments:

Ryan DeLuca said...

Awesome! I totally rocked out on my magna doodle. I wish there was a printer though. I would leave drawings on there for days.
We need a slider on the bottom to erase for the cyntiq!!!

Michael said...

WHAAA!

it hurts to relive the memories....

Fabian said...

YES! I remember, but i never had one :( Amazing works!! :)

Ken said...

awww cute story!! And impressive, your determination at such a young age :D

Viv said...

Haha :) So awesome! Love your little self portrait in the Magna Doodle at the top. Btw so great to see you guys at CTN! Hope to see you again soon!

Ryan Green said...

Magna Doodle was a great invention. That reminds me that I have one stored away in a box somewhere. I know what I'LL be doing this Thanksgiving weekend. Thanks!

Anthony Holden said...

Oh gosh--I hated those things!! How are you supposed to draw anything on it?!!