I am 14 and I have made an Origami a giant spider crab by Marc Kirschenbaum that I am going to give to my father for Christmas. And I was wondering what is the best way to shape it.
That's a terrific fold. Please post your finished piece.
I have a suggestion for some experiments, if you have the patience:
1. Do NOT experiment on this finished model. It is too good, and these suggestions may ruin it. Put it away where it will be safe.
2. Fold another crab, just like this one, using the same or similar paper.
3. Get an old rag or wash cloth that you can ruin. You might stain it by accident.
4. Put a little water on the cloth, so that it is damp. Squeeze out all excess water, so that it is not wet, just damp.
5. Lightly brush one of the legs to see if you can make them rounder.
6. If that works, try brushing a claw to shape it.
7. You might try brushing the body also, then round it out.
8. Then, place the dampened model on a piece of newspaper to dry, and experiment a little more.
This may fail completely:
1. The dye in the paper may bleed through and get on the cloth, on your hands, and on anything that you put the wet model on.
2. The dampness may make the paper too limp and ruin the model.
3. The dampness may weaken the paper, and make it easy to tear.
If it works, you have learned one method for wetfolding. If it fails, you have only destroyed an experimental model... but it may have whet your appetite for more...
The one on the left is certainly more wrinkly, but looks like it has more 3d definition, especially on the arms/claws. It is hard to make an accurate side-by-side comparison, as the different colors and lighting obscure the nuances of the finished model.
I like the results. The red one has a more intentional flow, roundness. It looks like it has just a little more life. I suggest that you let your father decide... I bet he'll be proud ... and choose both. They both show lots of potential and talent.
Keep folding other models, try other types of paper, and continue experimenting with various levels of wet folding.
Michael Lafosse's book, Advanced Origami has some interesting models that are examples of wet folding, such as the Frog and the Panther Mask. The dry folds are not difficult, but the wet fold techniques are advanced and worth learning... if you like those effects.
You may be able to get the research librarian at your local library help you to do an interlibrary loan of books by these and other origami artists.
i will try it tomoz
I wouldn't have dreamed of folding anything like that when I was 14.