Origami

On the right are pictures of some of the Origami models I have made recently. The pictures were taken by me with a Canon IXUS 400 digital camera, and then adjusted using IrfanView. I have also invested in a small tripod now, so the pictures should get better.

I will add more when I get time. Click on the image to get a better view.

If there is anything you would particularly like to see here, feel free to let me know via the feedback page.

Models

The models I like to make range from the very simple to the extremely complex. I enjoy making action models, and models that have a surprise of some sort. I have had the occassional phase of modular folding, but generally find this very tiresome after a while. My favourite designers include Robert Lang, John Montroll, David Brill, Robert Harbin, Marc Kirschenbaum, and many Japanese folders.

Materials

All you need for Origami is some paper and a bit of patience and care when folding. I use a variety of different papers, ranging from ordinary photocopier paper through various types of bought origami paper, to tissue foil.

Tissue Foil

Tissue foil is a home made paper, made by sandwiching a piece of ordinary aluminium cooking foil (the thin stuff, preferably) between two layers of tissue held together with spray-on 3M Craft Mount glue. I've never seen this paper in shops, but with practice it is easy to make your own.

You can get the foil from your local supermarket. The tissue and glue should be easy to obtain from your local art shop. When making the tissue foil, make sure you are in a well venilated area, and have plenty of room. Don't use your mum's best antique table. The glue will get everywhere if you are not careful, so make sure places where you don't want glue are covered, and try not to breath the glue in.

I make as big a sheet of tissue foil as I can, leave it to dry, and then cut it into one or more squares on a rotary blade guillotine. It is tricky avoiding crinkles in the tissue layers, but it gets easier with practice. You can rub minor crinkles out once the glue has dried a bit. Try and avoid getting glue on the outer surfaces of the tissue foil, as it seems to remain tacky forever, and makes folding difficult.

The advantages of tissue foil over ordinary paper are:

  • It holds its shape without springing apart over time.
  • It can be sculpted, allowing much more detail.
  • It seems much thinner during the folding process.
  • It is surprisingly tough, taking creases well and not turning mushy.
  • It is ideal for complex models, where sharp points and very narrow legs are required.

    Some disadvantages I have found are:

  • It does not travel well. You have to remodel after transit, because the material is not springy like paper.
  • The dyes used to colour tissue do not seem to be colour fast, and will fade in sunlight. It is worth checking that the tissue has not faded before you buy it.
  • The range of colours of tissue are fairly limited.
  • I have read that the glue can also fail over time, so the foil and tissue layers can seperate.
  • Prefolding and reversing folds have to be done with care.
  • Complex manouveurs like closed sinks and unsinks are even trickier with tissue foil.

    Commissions

    You can use the feedback page if you want to engage my Origami services. I am happy to get involved with anything with a Paper-folding slant to it, including workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions, advertising, and so on. I am extremely reliable and very easy to work with. Although I do not rely on Origami to provide me with an income, I want to be fair, and will turn down work if the fee for a commercial engagement is unrealistically low. Whilst I don't charge as much per hour as a lawyer, I do think my skills and knowledge are every bit as specialist.

    If I can't undertake the work myself, I can help you with my extensive network of Origami enthusiasts to find someone suitable.

    The British Origami Society

    If you would like to know more about Origami, have a look at the British Origami Society website. As a member of BOS, you will receive a bi-monthly newsletter containing news and other information about paper-folding from around the world contributed by a membership of around 700, access to one of the largest origami libraries in the world, and many other benefits. BOS is probably one of the most active of the Origami societies, and surprisingly, we have more foreign members than British ones. In the Spring and Autumn, we have our convention weekends, when we all get together to learn more from each other. We have folding sessions, where we teach new models, and we usually have a famous folder as a guest to show us their work. Between the two big conventions, there are also mini-meetings in various parts of the country, usually held monthly.

    		•
    ModelDescriptionDesigner
    This is Tom Hull's FIT - Five Interlocking Tetrahedra - a great model This is Tom Hull's FIT - Five Interlocking Tetrahedra - a great modelTom Hull
    A herd of John Montroll's elephants have taken up residence on my DVD player ! A herd of John Montroll's elephants have taken up residence on my DVD player !John Montroll
    This frog is an action model - the mouth opens and closes. This frog is an action model - the mouth opens and closes. unknown
    Robert Harbin's model of a rabbit standing on a dice - made from a single sheet of paper. Very advanced for the 1960's when it was first published. Robert Harbin's model of a rabbit standing on a dice - made from a single sheet of paper. Very advanced for the 1960's when it was first published. Robert Harbin
    These roses are always popular. the vase is a traditional Japanese fold. These roses are always popular. the vase is a traditional Japanese fold.unknown
    This is made out of 30 Sonobe units locked together. This is made out of 30 Sonobe units locked together. unknown
    A parrot that will sit on your glass. Very popular in pubs ! A parrot that will sit on your glass. Very popular in pubs ! Patricia Crawford
    Another example of the FIT - they look so good in only one colour, but are more difficult to build. Another example of the FIT - they look so good in only one colour, but are more difficult to build.Tom Hull
    This model tends to splay apart, so I tried wet-folding it to make it keep together. Seems to have done the trick. This model tends to splay apart, so I tried wet-folding it to make it keep together. Seems to have done the trick. Peter Engel - Origami for the Connossieur
    This is a bird that I made myself. This is a bird that I made myself.Mark Plant
    Another cute little model, designed originally by Komatsu. Another cute little model, designed originally by Komatsu. Komatsu
    Down boy ! Down boy ! Patricia Crawford (I think)
    Something for the more romantically inclined. Something for the more romantically inclined.unknown
    A paper swan - very nice to fold. A paper swan - very nice to fold. Patricia Crawford
    John Montroll's horse from Origami Sculptures - one of my favourite folds. John Montroll's horse from Origami Sculptures - one of my favourite folds.John Montroll
    One of John Montroll's better elephant designs. One of John Montroll's better elephant designs. John Montroll
    Robert Lang's scarab beetle. Robert Lang's scarab beetle. Robert Lang
    The underside of the scarab - so insect-like ! The underside of the scarab - so insect-like ! Robert Lang
    The motorbike from Super Complex Origami. The motorbike from Super Complex Origami. Issei
    The same rose model as before, folded using white photocopier paper. The same rose model as before, folded using white photocopier paper. unknown
    Modular Dodecahedran woven from strips of photocopier paper - you need paperclips to hold it together during construction. Modular Dodecahedran woven from strips of photocopier paper - you need paperclips to hold it together during construction. unknown
    Another dodecahedran, this time made from 30 modules called Phizz units. This one is about 30cm in diameter. Another dodecahedran, this time made from 30 modules called Phizz units. This one is about 30cm in diameter. unknown
    This is a simple modular fold constructed from six Sonobe units. This is a simple modular fold constructed from six Sonobe units.
    This is a modular fold made from 12 identical units in four colours, and is four triangles interlocking. This is a modular fold made from 12 identical units in four colours, and is four triangles interlocking.
    Drummer and two guitarists folded on the request of a friend of mine who plays in such a setup as lead guitarist. This is one of my first attempts at using tissue foil. Drummer and two guitarists folded on the request of a friend of mine who plays in such a setup as lead guitarist. This is one of my first attempts at using tissue foil. Marc Kirschenbaum
    This is a small collection of models I donated to a colleague before I left Rule. He took the picture, which I then reduced. This is a small collection of models I donated to a colleague before I left Rule. He took the picture, which I then reduced.Various

    This site © 2011 Mark Plant