Simple origami model for Christmas

  I have been really busy with exams and papers this week! However, I want to get something out  quick for you guys to try.  Its a simple art project for you guys to fold over Christmas break if you'd like. Its fairly simple to do and doesn't require any previous origami skills.  Its called an "Origami Doris Star" designed by Klaus-Dieter Ennen.  This model is folded by "Sara Adams", and is posted on her YouTube channel.  I would highly recommend this channel to you if you like simple but delicate origami models.  This model is just that, simple, but yields an awesome result.  All it takes is some patience, and a little bit of time.  It could be a nice gift for yourself, or for someone you know.  Have fun folding!  Oh, and if you need any assistance, just contact me and I shall do my best to assist you!

The final product should look something like this:

Completed model

Some of my favorite YouTubers

Today I want to give you some awesome YouTube video sources for origami tutorials.  These YouTube channels are the current people that I watch.  From these people, I have learned everything that I know about origami.  I think its true what they say: "One year on YouTube equals years in spent in school".  You can learn anything you want to learn from YouTube.  For me, origami was just the beginning.  I am still learning so much off of  YouTube such as: art, music, tech, python, and much more!  YouTube is the best place to learn anything!  Anyways, getting back on topic, here are just a few of my favorite origami YouTubers. 


Here is just a quick list my favorite complex origami-est:

1. Seth Friedman  Another excellent origami-est!  Well done tutorials and even has tutorials on his personal designs.
2. Rickman Origami As I have already mentioned, he has one of the best videos on YouTube! 
3. An Average Origamist This is probably the only channel with complex and complete origami tutorials.  
4. Tadashi Mori A well rounded channel.  Has many simple origami models but a good mix of complex origami models too.  He also has several tutorials on how to understand origami theory.

For more simple origami models here are a few suggestions:

1. Алексей Жигулёв His videos aren't in English if you couldn't tell with that channel name.  But his tutorials a very clear and can be easily understood by just watching them.
2.  Happyfolding Well done videos and focuses more on the "fun" side of origami.  Personally, I like the more complex and "serious" origami but its good to have a mix of "happy" folds too.
3. Jo Nakashima His videos has zero speaking in them, its just based off of visual tutorials only.  Its good channel if you like listening to white noise.  Theres nothing better than listening to the sound of folding paper, ahhh, it sounds so nice.
4. ExOrigami  This is an excellent channel for anyone who is just starting out origami and wishes to fold unique origami models.

      My favorite origami YouTuber  is Origami Sage.  His tutorials are amazing!  His videos are in HD! His time-laps videos are awesome!  His tutorials are really clear to understand to where a novice could fold something complex! What else could you want?  I have learned so much from his videos.  This channel is what got me to study box pleating, and helped my understand basic box pleating theory.  He has a good variety of tutorials, and he has even given tutorials on his own models.  Over all, I would highly suggests checking this guy out, if your interested that is.  

MC paste?

       In the beginning of the "Best youtube video?" it mentions MC paste.  But what exactly is MC paste?  Well, the "technical term" is Methyl Cellulose.  This compound is used very widely in wallpaper paste.  In fact, if you can't find the power form of Methyl Cellulose, the next best thing (if not better) is find a good brand of wallpaper paste that has this ingredient in it. There are a few different purpose for MC paste.  The first thing its used for is to prepare the paper for an origami model.  When you get more into the complex realm of origami, you'll need specialized paper to accommodate the multiple layers of folded paper.  These papers are usually 30-40gsm (gsm: grams per square meter) and are extremely thin, which is necessary for any complex origami.  However, when paper gets that thin, it becomes difficult to create clean lines and crisp folds.  Have you ever tried folding tissue paper in half and then fold the paper on the same line in the opposite direction?  Its difficult to do, and thats where the MC paste comes into play.  MC paste, once applied, causes the paper to become more a little more rigid.  This allows the paper to behave like "normal" paper but still maintain the same thickness (or thinness).  This makes it much easier to fold the origami model but allows for much better looking models.
       The second use for MC paste to preserve the origami model once you have completely folded it.   May will argue that using MC paste to "preserve" the model is basically like using glue.  Well...I'll listen to that argument once they are able to fold complex models.  These kinds of arguments usually come from people who have never folded origami and have no understand of origami.  With that said, I do understand their criticism and sometimes I even feel like I'm "cheating" too.  But lets keep something in mind.  MC paste is almost never used by "professional" origami-est.  They generally have access to extremely high grade paper for a lower price and have the money to do it.  As for me, I don't have hundreds of dollars to spend on professional grade paper.  For that reason, MC paste is almost like a substitute for expensive paper for me.
    Now, how does one use MC paste?  Its fairly simple really.  If you've gotten the premixed paste its as simple as taking a paint brush and applying it to the paper.  For the powder form, all you need to do is mix the powder with water until you get a good consistency.  What is a good consistency?  It depends, its mostly just trial and error until you find a mix that you like.  The most popular use for MC paste is creating "specialized paper".  For homemade paper, the best solution is putting together 2 tissue paper together and applying the MC paste one side.  Once that side has is done, you let it dry naturally which will take around 6 hours, to "dry".  I would suggest letting it sit for a full 12 hours to completely dry out.  After that, apply to the back side, let it dry again and then you're done!  Here is a tutorial video for those who are interested.  When I first started origami, I was hesitant using it but I finally gave in and I've enjoyed using it ever since.     

The best video on youtube?

Sorry for the lack of blog posts, I have been really busy with school recently.  Exams and things of that nature.  Hopefully they will pick up after this week!

Top: version 3.0
Bottom version 1.0

       So, I was going though my settings and realized that I could upload videos to this blog.  Therefore, here is my first post with a video!

What is the best video on YouTube?  This one!  This video is by Rickman Origami and he has designed an origami Ridley from the classic game: Metroid Prime.  This model is just...AMAZING!  Not only is it extremely detailed, but it was designed by an "average guy".  This just gave me a little hope that one day, perhaps I can design my own models.  Whats really cool about this model is he shows his process of older versions of this model and shows how the first concept model is very rough but in the end can lead to something magnificent.  Compare these pictures. Do you see the huge differences?  This is just an example that you're first model will never be perfect but if you stick with it, you'll end up with something amazing.  --->

  
This is the best video on YouTube in my opinion,  its a 7+ hour video of the tutorial.  Maybe you should try it out and watch it??   I will definitely be folding this model once I find some extra time after school!

Video:

     Crease Pattern!

Crease pattern of Ridley 3.0

Origami pet peeves

        I've been thinking of new ideas for this blog and this topic came to mind. What are some origami pet peeves? One of my biggest origami pet peeve is when people ask me "wow, how did you fold that?!" Ummm... like really? What kind of a question is that? You're just asking that question just to create small talk.  Also, there is no one sentence answer for such a question. I don't mean to be rude to those who ask such a question, in fact, its a complement really. However, maybe come up with something more cleaver to say, than just making small talk.  Small talk is the dumbest, and most annoying thing in life imho. (in my humble opinion)   Two, another pet peeve is when someone asks me, "what is that going to be?" when I'm folding a intermediate origami piece. Origami is not a "magic" act you preform for someone. Origami takes a lot of time to fold so I don't want tell you what the model is before I'm finished with it. Telling people what the model is before I'm done seems to reduce the surprise factor. Its like reading the end of the book before the beginning.  Pet peeve number three, when random people ask me "Wow, can you fold me something?". Ummm, no. Thats because some people just stand/sit next to me until I finish the model, and I can't stand that. I don't like it when people just stare in my direction, just no. Also, most simple models that I fold take like 20 minutes. Most peoples' attention span for origami is 50 seconds at most. For that reason, NO, I will not fold you something that you will 1. not appreciate 2. you'll will probably lose it out the next day, or 3. you'll just forget about it before the day is over. Finally, I don't like giving away origami that is not up to my standard. For those reasons and more, I will not fold origami for people who come up to me randomly and ask such a question. And pet peeve number four. When friends or family ask me to fold a complex origami for them. This is the one that drives me the most crazy. Origami is something thats special to me, I do origami for me, not for someone else. So when I have to fold origami models for other people it reduces the value of the art for me. I am no longer doing origami for me, "its for someone else..." Its also a pain when they ask that question since most origami models that I fold take 7-9 hours straight, as well as, folding the "concept" models first. This means that around 24 hours+ would go into the completion of one origami model. This may sound really rude or whatever, but I do not mean it that way.... To me, "you're not worth spending 20+ hours"... I'd rather just buy you a gift. I only fold origami for people I consider "worthy" of the art, or for people I appreciate. Also, saying no to family/friends also seems kinda rude so I generally give into their a request, but these are thoughts that go though my head when you ask.

           So there you are, these are just some of my origami pet peeves. When people have asked these questions, I generally responded in kind, however, I would prefer if people didn't ask them. With that said, I can't blame them for asking these questions. If I was in their position, I'd probably ask the same questions. So, these questions just comes with the practicing this art style.

Least favorite origami

         Personally, my least favorite origami style to fold is modular origami.  One of the most impressive styles in my opinion, yet I despise it to the core.  Modular origami is taking multiple folded "modules" and connecting them together to form a complete object   Again, no cuts allowed, and no glue allowed.  I think modular origami takes the most patience since it requires you to fold the same piece multiple times, (even hundreds of times) The origami color swan took roughly 650-750 pieces--and no, I don't want to count every single piece--and the swan created by gum wrappers was roughly 400 pieces.  For that model, it took forever to collect that many pieces, not to mention folding those pieces.  For some, modular origami is quite relaxing and is a good activity if your a) really board or b) have a tv series to binge watch.  This specific "sub-style" called 3-D origami, is quite simple and I would suggest it to anyone who wants to get into modular origami.  It isn't all that complicated, it just requires a lot of triangles and careful placement of every piece.  The folding process takes very little effort, in fact, one triangle you could fold in ± 6 seconds.
           The more difficult modular origami is when 3 dimensional aspects are used and are intertwined together, such as the origami tetrahedron.  This model was probably the most difficult for me during the time, and even now.  Every triangle must be placed in the correct orientation, otherwise, the model will not look geometrically accurate.  The more simple modular origami is when the models stay 2-D.  2-D Modular origami is usually where most people begin, its "simple" and straight forward. (generally speaking)  Modular origami does take a lot of patience since if you misplace one step, its difficult to recognize it till like 50 steps later. (Most of the time) When that happens, you'll have to completely take the pieces apart and restart, very frustrating.  Modular origami is very repetitive and takes a lot of time, but in the end yields very impressive models.  However, modular origami just isn't quite my style.


Different "sub-types" of modular origami

3-D origami

Other random modular origami

 

The definition of "complex"

Simple origami

   

             What is the definition of "complex" in origami?  The answer depends on the person you ask.  For a very beginner, an origami simple dragon isn't so simple, but for someone like me its quite simple.  I will try and give you a measurement that you can base your own skill on to see where you fit in the origami world.  I would like to say that this measuring tool is just my thoughts, and can very well be different from someone else standard.  Are you a beginner, an intermediate, or complex origami-est?  Keep in mind that its a spectrum, from novice to master, there is no "finish this model and your master!", its a continuum of improvement.  

               First off, there are some models that most beginners always start out with.  One of the classics is the paper crane.  This is like the very first "true" origami pieces which most people start out.  It similar to coding, in a way.  Everyone who starts programming generally begins by running "hello world!", or for Arduino every single person starts by flashing an led light on their circuit board.  There is always a beginning step that everyone takes, and for origami thats the paper crane.  After that, you can explore the different basic models to fold.  Some of the models would include:  hats, 2-D animal faces, box, windmill, boat, 2-D fish, etc.  Very basic, and mostly 2-dimentinal models.  This stage can be as short or as long as you want it to go.  You can spend a month in the basic stage, or years in the beginner stage, it depends on what you want.

Intermediate origami by assorted artist

           Then comes the intermediate stage.  With origami, you can fold anything, but there are different levels of complexity which defines its place on the scale.  How do you determine what is intermediate?  The question to ask:  Which origami model has more details? (generally speaking, this is the case)  The intermediate stage would include more 3-dimentinal objects and more details.  For instance, an origami butterfly.  Instead of having a the butterfly being the same color, what if you integrated color change?  Quick definition of color change: Is when a model has 2 colors to it.  For example, if one side of the paper is gold, the other side is black, that means parts of the model would be gold and other parts would be black.  Another things that adds to the intermediate stage is: Does the model have extra components to it?  This means, instead of a "leg" being straight, what if you implemented a joint to it? What if you added, 2 pairs of wings to a dragon instead of one, what about more teeth? etc.  See image for some examples of intermediate origami.

Complex origami by Robert J. Lang

              Then there is the complex level.  This is where you try and fit as more detail in the model without causing it to look too busy.  There is a moderation of how much detail can fit in an origami model.  Also, in this stage the models will resemble more realism, and something that everyone will recognize at a glance.  These are the models that will take around 3-14 hours straight to complete.  Here are some pictures of complex origami. These definitions of "levels" I'm giving you are subjective to the individual.  Someone beginning would might consider these models "master" level, but for me, these levels are just "complex".  So it all depends on what level you are currently in to define what is and isn't complex.  However, I think these terms I am presenting are somewhat objective in the sense that most average people would consider these models "complex". 

Master origami by Kamiya

          Finally, there is the "master" level of origami.  This is where you take origami to the most complex level possible.  Having the most details, the most eloquent forms, and that illustrates "complete realism".  These models take a tremendous amount of time and patience.  This model is called the Ryujin 3.5 and was designed by Kamiya Satoshi.  Most people would consider this artist as a legend in the origami world for creating such amazing pieces of art.


          As you can see that there are may different levels of origami and there is no one direct answer, or achievement to prove that you've passed a certain level.  But hopefully you can get a general scale to measure this art style. *



*These origami models in this post where NOT folded by me.

My very first "intermediate" model

            My very first "complex" origami model was the iris flower.  The origami iris seems so trivial now, but at that time it was really difficult for me.  It took me like several hours to figure just to figure out  a specific fold. But as soon as that model was finished, I was hooked to origami.  During that time, I was folding the basic models such as the origami crane, box, hat, etc.  But I began to get board with those models. There just wasn't enough complexity to them, and lets be honest, those aren't very impressive models.  For that reason, I decided to skip the "beginner models" and just dive into the deep end.  I think that was one of the best decision I made for this hobby.  My official intermediate origami was the origami three headed dragon.  I folded it with a tutorial video from YouTube, which is my source for most of my models.  This was also the first model that I memorized from beginning to end, which meant that I folded it anywhere I could find paper.  In a waiting room, in class, during social events and such.  The three headed dragon was one of the models that had the most "wow" factor at that time.  Most people were shocked to see, a complex origami like that, and the that it was folded from one piece of paper.  There are times where people are skeptical of the fact that this model is folded from 1 square piece of paper, No cuts, and No glue, but I like their reaction when I unfold the model revealing a square piece of paper with no cuts.  During this time, I was really into fantasy origami so I started to fold some other origami dragons.  *




*All images here are folded be me except the iris flower and "beginner dragon", which is from the web because its a better image quality than what I have.  Also, sorry for the poor image quality.  I don't have the best phone camera as you can see

How to begin

Step 1

Step 2

           If you want to learn how to do some origami, there are hundreds and I mean hundreds of origami videos online. First off, I would suggests learning the basic origami terms such as: inside reverse fold, sink folds, mountain/valley folds, pinch fold, etc. I think this is a decent origami website to use if you're just starting out. It presents the basic origami terms, and the different model bases to establish a strong foundation for the more advanced models. There is no need to dedicate time to "memorize" these terms since they are used in every single origami model. The more you use the terms, the easier it is to recognize the folds. The initial start of origami can be very slow, and boarding but its worth it. To get started, take a standard A4 and make a square out of it (Step 1).
     

Step 3

Once you have completed that and have familiarized yourself with those terms, you can get right into folding! The very first model I believe anyone folds are the traditional origami crane. To begin this start with the origami bird base. (illustrated instructions) Then inside reverse fold along the dot-dash-dot line, and then inside reverse fold on the line-line-line (Step 2).

     

Next, valley fold the dashed line and repeat on the other side (step 3). And then you're done! If you want a more advance and cleaner looking model here are the instructions, and its accompanied by a well done video. This may seem "to easy" but everyone start out with these basics.

Final product:

Done!

Introduction

Origami Scorpion

      I have had a few hobbies in my lifetime.  The very first hobby I started was origami at the age of 10...or maybe 12?  Not sure when I started but it was quite a while ago.  Anyways, origami is the art of folding a flat piece of paper (generally a square) and transforming it into a three-dimensional object.  There are only three "rules" to authentic origami in my opinion. (Actually, there are a multitude of "origami theory" rules in regards to the use of math and the physical limitations of the paper, but thats besides the point)  Here's number number one: No cutting or ripping the paper by any means. two: no use of any form of adhesive material such as glue, or tape, and number three: you can not use more than one piece of paper to complete an origami model.  However, these are just general rules so you can break them if you so desire.  I think origami is one of the best hobbies ever.  For one thing, its one of the cheapest hobbies you can start.  There is only 1 material need, paper.  Thats right!  No need for fancy tools, or gadgets, or materials, all you need is paper and the willingness to try.  Once you get more in depth, there are tools that can help in the folding process.  Some of these tools include: paper cutters, specialized paper, tweezers, bamboo hand-tool, and the like.  However, many of these tools can be made/found around the house which makes the origami art so easy to do at home.

Origami Dragonfly

Modular Origami Tetrahedron

         Origami is also very rewarding in the end.  When I begin to fold, there is just a flat piece of paper but in the end I have an epic (depends who you ask) model to show for it.  I think watching the paper transform into something completely different is so awesome.  Origami really impresses people, even the most simplest models will cause people to say: "Wow!".  Its really cool when people admire the work that I have spent 6-8 hours straight, and it can really inspire me to start folding again.  I think one of my favorite things about origami is that I can binge watch any tv show without feeling guilty of wasting time on the tv.  Thats because I'm "multi-tasking" and doing something "productive" with my brain rather than just filling it with useless tv trash.  Yes, thats kind of a weak argument, but I'm sticking to it.  With that said, origami does use quite a bit of "brain power" to accomplish any origami model.  There are many times where the paper won't fold properly, or the division of the paper was calculated wrong, and you'll have to go back and try and solve the issue.  There are even times where I just have to start all over...which is very frustrating at times.  But to me, thats what makes origami fun for me.  Problem solving when the fold created doesn't look the same as in the book.  For the model to look professional, origami requires careful evaluation of each individual fold, basic math, and extensive amount of time, patience, care...and practice, all of which I have/enjoy.  Another thing I enjoy about origami is the variety.  There are many different genres of origami: Abstract, wet folding, modular, fantasy, nature, tessellations, and on it goes.  The variety of origami models makes it very difficult for someone to be become board the art.  For example, if I have fold several origami dragons and become board with the same "style", I can switch gears and fold abstract models which gives me a new level of motivation.

Origami Tessellation

        

Origami Phoenix Crease Pattern

       One of the most difficult aspects of origami is the design process, if you with to go that far.  Designing origami models requires significant amounts of math such as geometry, circle packing, box pleating, and a TON more.  That is one of the main reason I've haven't designed any models, I have very poor math skills.  Designing origami is a very slow and tedious process but can produce amazing works of art.  Once someone has finished designing a model, many times they will release a Crease Pattern (CP) to the world.  A CP is an image with very specific lines running across it with the boarders being a square.  With those lines, one is able to completely solve the model and fold it to completion. I am not that well versed in the realm of origami theory to do that, but I hope to be there some day. However, just because my math knowledge is limited, that doesn't stop me from folding complex origami.  That is one of the biggest benefits of origami.  You can go so far without having to know a lot about origami theory.  Origami is almost double sided.  Theres a technical side to it, or a layman's side to origami, and you decide which path to take.  However, there does come a time where you have to learn origami theory in order to fold custom origami models from the CPs.

Completed Origami Phoenix

Dollar origami

        Origami is one of the best hobbies I know, even though it can become very frustrating.  But  I will always enjoy it because I know that through every frustration I learn something new and become better at the art.  Origami has been one of my favorite pass times thus far.  *









                                                *All origami models in this post have been folded by yours truly