Satoshi Kamiya's Veiltail Angelfish

This is a design which has been on my Origami To-Do list for quite some time, now. I have been putting it off for as long as I can remember because I know that I usually sit with complex models for a really long time to complete them.

This took me 4 hours over 2 Sundays to complete it – not folding it continuously. There are 114 steps in all, not counting the repeats – and this is where, I daresay, I got side-tracked and delayed the completion of it.

Paper to use:
This model is best folded with pliable, thin paper because of the numerous layers and folding techniques involved. I have folded my rendition in Metallic Foil paper which I purchased from Nicolas Terry’s Origami-shop.com – Pack Tissue-foil Papers – 24 sheets – 30x30cm (11.8″x11.8″) – measuring 30 cms in size, single side colored. I found it easy to fold and shape the model (note the ‘pleating’ for the fins) in the end with this paper.

I read somewhere that the kind of paper Satoshi Kamiya uses for such models is special / exquisite and not something you can get at any shop. This paper is made specially made for such complex models / designs.

How to Fold the Veiltail Angelfish:
The diagrams to this amazing design are in the Tanteidan Magazine # 120 which you can buy as part of Volume 20 from Nicolas Terry’s Shop – Tanteidan Volume 20 (#115-120).

This is a complex design to fold and is not for beginners and those who are not experienced in folding sinks, collapses and other complicated folds / techniques.

The end result is really pretty and will make a nice show piece on your Origami shelf. I enjoyed folding this model, even though there were a lot of repetitions involved in the process. The ending steps for shaping the design is the main part of the folding process which gives this fish a very delicate characteristic.

Pre-Columbian Style Origami Frog (Design by Leyla Torres)

I came across a new blog post by another origamist today, which I think is quite ingenious! It is easy to fold and whats more, the designer, Leyla Torres (of Origami Spirit), has taken the trouble of actually recording an instructional video on folding it, too!

Paper to use:
You can use Kami, tissue foil or any paper of your choice for this model. The folds are simple and if you follow the instructional video, you will be able to fold this frog quite easily.

I have used duo-colored (or rather, printed) Kami paper measuring approximately 8 inches in size. You can also use single-side colored paper to fold this model.

How to fold this pre-columbian style frog:
Leyla Torres, the designer has generously shared an instructional video on the folding sequence. You can find it below, too:

Unicorn (Design by Román Díaz)

This is one model which has been lying unfinished for months… so this weekend I thought I’d finish the folding sequence and see how my rendition would come out. I found this model a bit difficult to fold, to tell you honestly, and I had to thrice re-open the model entirely during my folding!

What drew me to fold this model in the first place is the mane – I really liked the way the mane of the unicorn is shaped to give it a majestic look. I wanted to fold this model in white paper to maintain the ‘pure’ look a unicorn has, hence the selection of white duo-colored tant paper.

This design has a lot of sinks, rabbit ears and an unheard of (at least for me) – a hidden ‘gusset’ which had me looking up the meaning and technique online. With 81 steps in all, this model is complex and is meant for experienced folders. The shaping of the mane, tail and the body requires wet folding and a lot of patience.

Paper to use:
I have folded my rendition of the model in Tant paper measuring 35 cms in size – square, colored white on both sides. This model is complex by nature and requires shaping – especially for the mane. The folds involved in folding this model are sinks, reverse folds, rabbit ears and a hidden gusset.

Unicorn (Design by Román Díaz) - Another View

How to fold this model:
The diagrams to this model are available in Román Díaz’s book – #3 Origami Essence – which is available at Nicolas Terry’s Origami Shop. This book has a lot of models which are really pretty and varied and a lot of them have color changes incorporated which makes it looks really great.

This is my first fold of this model and I am quite content with the result especially since I got stuck in the course of the folding sequence many times.

Yellowtail (Farmed) (Design by Katsuta Kyohei)

I have seen a few folds of this model on Flickr recently which tempted me to give folding this model a try. This is the first design of Katsuta Kyohei I attempted and this is also my first fold.

I have been wanting to fold this design for quite sometime now and for some reason have always been pushing it away – either the appropriate paper, time, and a load of other distractions. Choosing to fold this model on a lazy Sunday was a good decision because it felt good that I actually did end up folding a complex model instead of an easier one.

I am very happy with the way my rendition of Katsuta Kyohei’s Yellowtail Farmed fish has come out; this was my first fold of this design, too.

Paper to use:
This design makes use of color changes (see the belly of the fish) – so it would be wise to select paper which is duo colored i.e. colored both sides and one side preferably colored a different shade. For my folding, I used metallic Tissue foil paper which is considerably fine and makes it easy to give the final shaping touches. I had purchased this paper from Paper Source a few months ago.

If you do not have Tissue foil with you, I’d suggest kraft paper which is colored on both sides (different colors). The common origami paper will not give it a nice finish once you are done with your folding so that’s why I wouldn’t recommend that you use it. Washi paper might be a good option, but I haven’t given it a try. So, if you do, do let me know.

The finished model you see in the accompanying image has been folded from 35 cm sized square sheet of tissue foil paper. It has a slightly darker silvery-grey color on the other side which makes it quite alright to use in color changing models.

How to fold this model:
Katsuta Kyohei’s Yellowtail farmed fish diagrams are published in Origami Tanteidan Magazine # 116 – Vol 20, 2009. Other than this source, I do not know of any books in which it has been published. You can purchase the book (Vol 20, Issues 115 – 120) from Origami House Japan.

This is indeed a very nice model to fold and having ~83 steps its for folders who are comfortable with folding intermediate and slightly complex origami.

Rat (Eric Joisel)

A new book – which is a joint effort by his friends at MFPP (French Origami Association – Mouvement Français des Plieurs de Papiers) and Nicolas Terry (of Origami-shop.com) – was released a week ago. This contained diagrams of Eric Joisel’s designs as well as write-ups and never before published pictures of him and his work.

I ordered this book – Eric Joisel – as soon as it was released and I just received it yesterday in the mail. I am absolutely pleased with the book and the contents / diagrams. Even though it is in the French language, I think it is a very good keep-sake book, especially since it is a tribute to Eric Joisel.

Paper to use:
I have folded this rat from a 25 cm square sheet of Tant paper which is brown on both sides (duo-colored). I have tried folding this rat with a smaller sheet of paper, too and found it pretty much alright.

How to Fold Eric Joisel’s Rat:
I have referred to the diagrams in the newly published book – Eric Joisel – in order to fold this. You would also be aware that Sara Adams of Happyfolding.com has also recorded and shared a very good instructional video.

In addition to these sources, you will also find the diagrams on Eric Joisel’s site. There will be directions / notes on how to reach the diagrams on that page when you visit the site.