The Origami Forum

I am a member of BOS and I was hoping to take advantage of the booklets they sell. Particularly the Elias ones.
So, I ask any one out there if they own any of these booklets wether they are good or not? I'm pretty sure they are, but I cannot find any pictures of the facial busts, as a additional question cansomeone direct me to some pictures of his busts? Thank you all!

you should probably start with the "selected works" book, because this is the only one in which the diagrams are computer-drawn. the other ones are poorly handdrawn. his models are surely masterpieces, and he was a big pioneer in origami, but you should really be experienced before starting with elias booklets, because he tends to skip important steps.

Agreed
The BOS booklet 10 Neal Elias Selected Works is more like the key to understanding and interpreting the other three books. kinda like the rosetta stone- the other booklets are just his shorthand to remember the folds.
Most of the diagrams in his published notebooks have monograms on them showing who the diagram was sent to.

Although I have folded many of the models from all 4 books, I have for some reason never folded one of his busts.
There is a Napoleon figure in the selected works but,someone once said there is an error in the BOS Booklet in the diagrams, not sure if they were ever fixed in the reprint (which has a couple of extra models)

Many of his models use odd shaped rectangles, I find brown paper works well for most.

Another book worth looking out for figures is Eric Kennaway's Origami Faces. I know the BOS library has a copy.
Not sure if there are any photos from it on the origami database.

You have just inspired me I am off to fold a Rodins Thinker, in the 190mm square sweet wrapping stuff I bought at the convention.


David

Thank you very much for your replies. So in your opinion only "selected works" is worth getting(may have misinterperated) Another problem I have is how are there so many models in so little pages (missing steps aside) Thank you agian.

All his booklets are definitely worth to have. The "selected works" one is best to start with to get used to Neal Elias' folding style.
Concerning many models in a few pages: that is because Neal Elias often has reference like "Start with Step X of Model Y". Also there are often several steps packed into one picture, etc.

Hi David,

With regards to the Rodins Thinker, how clear would you say the diagrams are? I do have one of his booklets, but didn't make much progress with the diagrams ...

Anyway, any photos of the completed model?

Saj

There's one in the origami database:
http://d307280.p33.patchhost.com/displa ... odelID=208

pictures of most of the models in Neil Elias selected works can be found here http://www.angelfire.com/art/gilad/BO_Elias.html

saj wrote:Hi David,

With regards to the Rodins Thinker, how clear would you say the diagrams are? I do have one of his booklets, but didn't make much progress with the diagrams ...

Anyway, any photos of the completed model?

Saj

I always thought "The thinker" was one of the simpler models in the booklet. I find the diagrams far less ambiguois than some of the others, yes very clear- Some of the crimps do not have landmarks, I just adjust them until they look right

It will take me a while longer to finish the model, I like to mould them a bit. I'll post an image if it's good enough.

Oh and great work Saj on the forum and the photos you took- was good to finally meet you.

There are some great models in the Selected Works book (BOS Booklet No. 10), including the Elias Bull, which I still think is one of the greatest animal models ever. It's also the starting point for several other animals in the larger Elias books. The diagrams (hand-drawn, not computer-drawn) are very clear and will help you understand those in the larger books.

The Napoleon can be made from the diagrams - I don't recall any errors, though it was a long time ago. Some of the busts in the big books are reasonably easy, but others eluded me. The ideas for subjects in all the books are amazing, as are the results.

David, do you know which models were added in the reprint?

I think using the amazing Origami database,
3 or 4 models were added, Boy on a rocking horse, Man in black and white suit, Stag and Yehudi menuin.

The bull is an awesome model, even by today's standards. here is one I did earlier.

Exciting news:
Finally Dave Venables finished his labour of love and published a DVD with the complete notebooks of Neil Elias, called "The Origami World of Neil Elias". It should be available from the BOS-Shop soon, they already sold it at the most recent convention in Edinburgh this last weekend