The Origami Forum

There is a lack of MC in my life so I have not had the chance to try double layer tissue paper just yet. That's next on my goal.

I've folded Lang's Scorpion (Complete Origami) 2 times now. Each attempt was with a sheet of paper of about 30x30 cm. The first model used a tri layer of tissue, foil, tissue. The ability to sculpt was amazing, but the composite paper was too thick. I found my self curving the tail instead of folding it, and it was very bulky in general. The 2nd attempt used a single layer of tissue paper with no preparations outside of cutting it to square. The result was much thinner, but lacked any true rigidity.

I can't MC two sheet of tissue paper right now. I'm a post op patient and still can't drive to the hardware store. Would I get a thinner model using the tissue foil method if I went to a larger square, or would I wind up with a larger version of my bulky scorpion?

I have an entire book that hinges on this question. Langs Insects and their Kin. All are complicated models that will use the same paper selection as the scorpion?

Random question: The MC would allow for selective wet folding, even on tissue paper, due to the added sizing from the MC, correct? It would be nice to shape the appendages more.

Can't wait to try some MC tissue paper or even some 30gsm kraft paper.

Thanks again!

Starting with a larger square should cut down on some of the bulkiness. You may also want to try making tissue foil with only a single layer of tissue. It may not seem like it, but the lack of a layer of tissue will make a difference in bulkiness where there are multiple layers (such as at a point, etc).

Using paper that has been sized with MC will allow you to do selective wet-finishing. However, you may want to consider using more MC rather than water, particularly in the shaping of the legs and small pointy bits with on the models in Insects and their Kin. Once you wet or MC the points, it may also be prudent to wrap them in bread twist-ties, or artists tape, etc...to keep the paper in place until it dries. Using the MC rather than just water will get you a much harder and stiffer finish, which is good for models with long spindly legs. If you check the thread on MC, there should be more tips for you...here it is.
viewtopic.php?t=4578&start=75

a lot of the models from origami insects and their kin should be fine with regular tissue foil.

The foil that comes in the 30cm width is alot thinner than the foil that comes in 45cm width. That will make a big difference to start off with.
I have also found that actually tissue on both sides is easier to reverse fold that tissue on only one side, and the ugly shiny unorganic foil also wont show on the finished result.
All the insects in "Insects and their Kin" can be folded with 30cm tissue-foil-tissue



(There is never a bad time for shameless self-promotion, eh Frumious?)

All the insects in "Insects and their Kin"...

Though, that Centipede is the one from Peter Engel's "Origami A-Z", isn't it?

Indeed Quentin, there is not.

But that was Lang-promotion...unless I missed an earlier self-promotion?

You know I'm only teasing, yes?

I do think you need to worry about offending Quentin... You can tell by his icon that he is a very serious guy....

We appreciate seeing pictures of ya'll's work (plural... correct usage Unfortunately, I believe that ya'll are too humble and that we may appreciate your skills (with great envy), more than you do.....

- Hank Simon

Pls continue to self-promote with pix....

HankSimon: .....ya'll's work (plural... correct usage......

Hope I don't offend you hank, are you sure ya'll's is correct? here's my reasoning: I get the ya'll (can be y'all) is grammatically correct, for sake of explanation I am going to use "all of you" for my primary point. assuming the "s" in ya'll's stands for "is", would you consider "all of you is folding" correct, or would you rather consider " all of you are folding" correct ? Please correct any inconsistencies you come across.

You should be able to fold the models from Robert's first insect book out of kami. That's what he designed them for. You might try getting aluminum foil from your local dollar store. The cheaper brands are often thinner. Not so good for cooking (you get what you pay for) for very good for origami. They make thinner tissue foils from which you can fold smaller insects. Of course, increasing the size of the paper (and of the corresponding model) will always result in a less bulky finish.

To fold-it-all,
While I staunchly deny any affiliation with the " grammar police ", it's only fair that I point out that Hank was, perhaps, responding with a bit of tongue-in-cheek humor .
He obviously was using the plural possessive pronoun Southern equivalent of " their " !
Rather than be offended, I would think that he would be amused , secondary to his observation of your signature wording . ie: " your and "
instead of "you're an" ...
It speaks for itself ...

I would also deny any affiliation with being a "grammar policeman" I just replied to his notion that it was correct, if it was left at just ya'll's, likely, I would think nothing of it. as for my signiature thanks for pointing that out , not too bad for typing everything on my ps3 , right?

Ah am Highly offended that a Southerner doesn't know the plural possessive. I could understand if someone who'd learned the King's English couldn't follow idiomatic Southern contractions. But when ya'll've [plural intended] been living in the South, I expect an understanding of how Southerners ...fold... words together... ain't it a shame ?

Unfortunately, "ain't" is no longer in fashion... but, "Isn't it a shame", simply doesn't scan the same way as a good honest ain't.

- Hank Simon

Old Southerner, comparatively recent Texan....

And I am impressed with the patience and powers of a PS3

Yeah I'm on the way too humid side of the south, Florida, havent heard more than a dozen honest y'all's (ok, lol , I now see how that would be correct now ) but I now understand how the way you say it, due to your folds words together phrase. yeah ps3 has a good browser , I preffer a computer , but its often being used as it is a family computer, but I can listen to music too, so its not too bad.