Rabbit - David Brill - Brilliant Origami

jhonperkins · Post by **jhonperkins** » March 16th, 2010, 6:13 am

Hello everyone.

I bought this book secondhand, since I thought it would be easy and also recommended for beginners (maybe I was wrong).

Anyway the first thing I wanted to do was a rabbit... unfortunately the folds are really though

I dont understand the diagrams very well... couldnt help it even if my life would depend on it..
One of the first pages explains the folds used but to be honest I dont see a direct correlation with that and the folds in this rabbit.. could someone please give me a hand? I have so far wasted lots of "origami" paper and I cant think of a way to pass from (3) to (4), since (4) seems like an inverted (3) or something

Thanks so much for your time...

Forgive me, for the sucky scan, my scanner I think, as came to its useful life end

aces21 · Post by **aces21** » March 16th, 2010, 12:41 pm

John,

you shouldn't worry too much that you're having trouble as Dave's diagrams can be a little tricky to follow. They are hand draw, which I like, but sometimes makes it difficult to tell exactly what he intended you to do. They also include multiple 'steps' in a single diagram, as you have here for step 3 of the rabbit.

You are supposed to fold the left hand side of the paper behind (mountain fold and corresponding arrow). On the right hand side you have two symmetrical folds that you can perform separately. For each one, make the valley fold so that the raw edge is parallel to the mountain fold you just made on the left. This puts the valley fold at 45 degrees. Where this valley fold hits the folded edge you'll need to squash the paper to form the 5-sided shaded part you see in step 4. If I had a decent camera phone I'd post a photo for you, but hopefully this helps.

I hope you stick with this book, there are some really nice models. If you're still having trouble you might want to try the lamb/corgi or guinea pig as they are a bit easier.

jhonperkins · Post by **jhonperkins** » March 17th, 2010, 6:47 am

aces21, thanks so much for your time...

Well, maybe I just suck, a lot, into this whole origami business (but I like it and wanna learn), because I am sure your instructions are really easy to follow, but still, haven't been able to do much...

aces21 wrote:Where this valley fold hits the folded edge you'll need to squash the paper to form the 5-sided shaded part you see in step 4.

This is where I get completely lost, plus I don't know if step 4 left side is the same as step 3 left side, or the figure is inverted or what...

Here are some sucky pictures of what I have:

Moog · Post by **Moog** » March 17th, 2010, 10:46 am

Hi,
I'm new in this forum, even if I was reading it since a long time.
I'm not English spoken, and perhaps my messages will look funny or not so polite, I apologize since now.

Concerning the rabbit:
I see on your pictures that you start the valley folds signed on (3) from the corners, they should start instead a little down on the longer sides, sliding the upper layer on this fold will form the mountains folds and other valley folds on the underside layer.
I hope that this may be useful.

Moog

HankSimon · Post by **HankSimon** » March 18th, 2010, 12:41 am

Deja Vu....

In Step 2, I think that you folded the corner flaps backwards as Mountain Folds. Instead, the corner flaps should be tucked INTO the model as inside reverse folds.

In Step 3, the Mountain Fold on the Left is correct. The TWO folds on the right hand side are more complicated. There is kind of a swivel fold made of a Valley fold and a squashed Mountain fold at the far right side.

Step 3a - the Valley folds are folded in the middle of the paper, located by experience and judgement. They are not folded at the corners.

Step 3b - You will want to adjust the location of the Valley fold so that it is 45 degrees, pulling the paper to look similar to Step 4.

Step 3c - You flatten the paper the indicated mountain folds that are shown on the top flaps and indicated on the back.

Play around with it until it works, and show us photos of your results...
If you understand how to do a petal fold (such as on a flapping bird), it may help to fold each side (top and bottom) similar to separate petal folds.

Just to let you know from the start, this is a difficult model that will take a long time to understand how to fold and how to shape. You might want to back up and practice on the models that Aces suggested, before you tackle this one.... the Lamb/corgi and guinea pig.

However, if you are compelled to do the rabbit, those photos do help us to diagnose where you are....

- Hank Simon

aces21 · Post by **aces21** » March 18th, 2010, 3:42 pm

OK, lets see if this helps:

After step 2 - note the folds on the left are reverse folds, not simple mountain folds.

Now fold in half, folding the left side behind.

The next 3 pictures show the sequence for one of the squash folds on the right of step 3. First, fold the valley fold so that the raw edge becomes vertical.

See how this reveals an internal valley fold. This and the mountain fold on the top layer form a squash fold.

Now squash it flat to look like the picture. There are no references so it may take a little trial and error to get it to look right.

Step 3 finished. Note that it was really several 'steps' in a single diagram. Also note that it looks a bit like the traditional japanese schoolgirl, but on her side!

I thought I might as well finish the rabbit. I had forgotten just how hard Dave Brill's diagrams are to follow. They're in the old Harbin style, i.e. do this, and this, oh and don't forget this, and also this, all in a single 'step'. Its easy to miss stuff.

If this doesn't help then I'd really recommend going back to some of the simpler models first, if only to get used to the diagramming style.

Dave Brill · Post by **Dave Brill** » March 18th, 2010, 7:01 pm

Hmmm... well origami isn't supposed to be easy. In any case it's more rewarding to fold a simple design well than a complex one badly, in my view.

I hate computer diagrams and so I have no desire to learn how to do them. But I have at least some ability use old fashioned pencil, paper and ink... remember those antiquated things?? Sorry if you feel my drawings are sub-standard.

Thanks for your interest in my rabbit, and good luck with future brilliant attempts! Oh,.. and I should say thanks to those who've helped out with clarifying the rabbit folding method.

Brilly
http://www.brilliantorigami.com/Home.html
(more puzzling diagrams here...)

bethnor · Post by **bethnor** » March 18th, 2010, 7:56 pm

Dave Brill wrote: Sorry if you feel my drawings are sub-standard.

AFAIK, no one said that. they said the diagrams were hard to follow.

even computer drawn diagrams can be hard to follow, depending.

HankSimon · Post by **HankSimon** » March 19th, 2010, 12:15 am

Dave -

Cover your ears... you weren't supposed to hear that...

You were only supposed to see:
"They are hand drawn, which I like, but sometimes makes it difficult to tell exactly what he intended you to do."

- Hank Simon

jhonperkins · Post by **jhonperkins** » March 19th, 2010, 6:46 am

People, I'm more than grateful for all of your time and help.
I think I got it now at last

Well that is, step # 3 and # 4, I will continue trying to figure this one out, since it's a great design, not the average not-look-alike-at-all rabbit you usually see in origami.

David, I can't believe that is you. I have to say your diagrams are really hard to follow, but as you say, maybe origami ain't supposed to be easy to start with.

Moog · Post by **Moog** » March 19th, 2010, 12:05 pm

Dave Brill wrote:Oh,.. and I should say thanks to those who've helped out with clarifying the rabbit folding method.

It was easy after your brilliant lesson on the "orejo de conijo" at the AEP Convention in Barcellona

Dave Brill · Post by **Dave Brill** » March 19th, 2010, 1:14 pm

Don't remember much about that... except that I couldn't (and can't) pronounce "orejo de conijo".

YOU must give me a brilliant lesson some day.

aces21 · Post by **aces21** » March 22nd, 2010, 1:35 pm

Ok, let me rephrase my previous post. Here is what I should have said:

"They are hand drawn, which I LOVE"

Seriously, this is one of my favourite origami boks ever, not least because it was my reintroduction to origami after 10 long years away. The hand-drawn style is unique - you can spot a Dave Brill diagram from a mile away, how many other authors can you say that of? And its 'old-fashioned' (in a good way) style of multiple folds per diagram step is reminiscent of the Harbin books, which I grew up on.

I'm an engineer, so my analytical mind loves complex technical folds and my eye is used to accurately rendered computer diagrams. BUT after all the years of technical innovation in origami, I still think a simple to moderate difficulty model, brought to life through wet folding (which I still can't do) is the most aesthetically pleasing of all. And of the exponents of this style, Dave is one of the best. If you don't believe me, follow his link and take a look at his amazing horse. If I can ever fold it half as well as it is there I'll be very happy.

Trelos Lagos · Post by **Trelos Lagos** » June 4th, 2010, 1:24 pm

Soooo... nobody actually got stuck on steps 7 and 9?
Am I the only one who thought the sink at 7 impossible and the "pull one layer out" at 9 incomprehensible?

Seriously?

gailprentice · Post by **gailprentice** » June 6th, 2010, 6:47 pm

Hi - just joining in to let Trelos Lagos that I, too, am stuck at 7-9

... had no trouble until there! I have never made many animals so I was intrigued by this thread & wanted to try the rabbit. I did the lamb & corgi & mouse (didn't finish the corgi...it was hard - probably better to wet fold?). The lamb & mouse were fun & challenging. I will be coming back to the rabbit throughout the day to see if I can get from 7 to 8!

Thanks for the book, David! I've had it for years but never tried any models until yesterday. Your models are wonderful.

In the last few days I did "Artifact" (Mitchell modular) and two tesselations from Gjerde's book & - fantastic! I needed a little break from tesselations so I thought I'd try some animals. I have been home sick this week so have renewed my interest in origami!