Origami is the Japanese art of paper folding. It is a fun and challenging activity that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. Origami whales are a popular origami model because they are relatively easy to make and they look very impressive when they are finished.
There are many different ways to make origami whales, but the most popular method is the one created by Jo Nakashima. Nakashima’s whale is a beautiful and elegant model that is perfect for beginners and experienced folders alike. In this article, we will provide step-by-step instructions on how to make an origami whale using Nakashima’s method.
Before you start, you will need to gather some materials. You will need a square piece of origami paper, a pencil, and a ruler. You can use any color of origami paper you want, but we recommend using a light blue or green color to make your whale look more realistic.
How to Make an Origami Whale
Follow these 10 simple steps to create your own origami whale:
- Start with a square sheet of paper.
- Fold in half diagonally.
- Unfold and fold in half the other way.
- Unfold and fold in half horizontally.
- Unfold and fold in half vertically.
- Unfold and squash fold along the creases.
- Fold the top layer down to the center.
- Fold the right and left sides in to the center.
- Fold the bottom layer up to the center.
- Fold the top layer down and shape the whale.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to make an origami whale in no time!
Start with a square sheet of paper.
The first step to making an origami whale is to start with a square sheet of paper. You can use any color of paper you want, but we recommend using a light blue or green color to make your whale look more realistic. The size of the paper will determine the size of your finished whale. If you want a small whale, you can use a 6-inch square piece of paper. If you want a larger whale, you can use a 9-inch or 12-inch square piece of paper.
Once you have chosen your paper, cut it into a square. If you don’t have a square ruler, you can use a rectangular piece of paper and trim off the excess paper to make it square.
Once you have a square piece of paper, you are ready to start folding your whale.
Tip: If you are new to origami, it is helpful to practice folding a few simple folds before you start folding your whale. This will help you get the hang of the basic origami techniques.
Now that you have a square sheet of paper, you are ready to start folding your origami whale!
Fold in half diagonally.
The next step is to fold the square sheet of paper in half diagonally.
- Step 1: Place the square sheet of paper in front of you like a diamond.
- Step 2: Fold the top right corner down to the bottom left corner.
- Step 3: Crease the fold well with your fingers or a bone folder.
- Step 4: Unfold the paper.
You should now have a crease running diagonally across the square sheet of paper. This crease will be used to help you fold the whale’s body.
Unfold and fold in half the other way.
Once you have folded the square sheet of paper in half diagonally, you need to unfold it and then fold it in half the other way.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Step 2: Turn the paper 90 degrees so that the crease you just made is now vertical.
- Step 3: Fold the top edge down to the bottom edge.
- Step 4: Crease the fold well with your fingers or a bone folder.
- Step 5: Unfold the paper again.
You should now have two creases running across the square sheet of paper, one diagonal and one vertical. These creases will be used to help you fold the whale’s body and fins.
Now that you have folded the paper in half both ways, you are ready to start folding the whale’s body.
Unfold and fold in half horizontally.
Once you have folded the square sheet of paper in half diagonally and vertically, you need to unfold it and then fold it in half horizontally.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Step 2: Turn the paper 90 degrees so that the crease you just made is now horizontal.
- Step 3: Fold the left edge to the right edge.
- Step 4: Crease the fold well with your fingers or a bone folder.
- Step 5: Unfold the paper again.
You should now have three creases running across the square sheet of paper, one diagonal, one vertical, and one horizontal. These creases will be used to help you fold the whale’s body and fins.
Now that you have folded the paper in half in all three directions, you are ready to start folding the whale’s body.
Unfold and fold in half vertically.
Once you have folded the square sheet of paper in half diagonally, horizontally, and vertically, you need to unfold it and then fold it in half vertically.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Step 2: Turn the paper 90 degrees so that the crease you just made is now vertical.
- Step 3: Fold the right edge to the left edge.
- Step 4: Crease the fold well with your fingers or a bone folder.
- Step 5: Unfold the paper again.
You should now have four creases running across the square sheet of paper, one diagonal, one vertical, one horizontal, and one vertical. These creases will be used to help you fold the whale’s body and fins.
Now that you have folded the paper in half in all four directions, you are ready to start folding the whale’s body.
Unfold and squash fold along the creases.
Once you have folded the square sheet of paper in half in all four directions, you need to unfold it and then squash fold along the creases.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Unfold the paper so that it is flat again.
- Step 2: Squash fold along the diagonal creases.
- Step 3: Squash fold along the horizontal and vertical creases.
- Step 4: Unfold the paper again.
Squash folding is a technique that is used to flatten the creases in the paper and make them more crisp. To squash fold, simply place the paper on a flat surface and press down on the crease with your fingers or a bone folder.
Now that you have squash folded along the creases, you are ready to start folding the whale’s body.
Fold the top layer down to the center.
The next step is to fold the top layer of the paper down to the center.
- Step 1: Identify the top layer of the paper. This is the layer that has the crease running down the middle.
- Step 2: Fold the top layer down to the center crease.
- Step 3: Crease the fold well with youré„• or a bone folder.
- Step 4: Unfold the paper.
You should now have a crease running down the middle of the top layer of the paper.
Fold the right and left sides in to the center.
The next step is to fold the right and left sides of the paper in to the center.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Fold the right side of the paper to the center crease.
- Step 2: Crease the fold well with your fingers or a bone folder.
- Step 3: Unfold the paper.
- Step 4: Fold the left side of the paper to the center crease.
- Step 5: Crease the fold well with your fingers or a bone folder.
- Step 6: Unfold the paper.
You should now have two creases running down the center of the paper, one on the right side and one on the left side.
Now that you have folded the right and left sides in to the center, you are ready to fold the whale’s tail.
Fold the bottom layer up to the center.
The next step is to fold the bottom layer of the paper up to the center.
- Step 1: Identify the bottom layer of the paper. This is the layer that has the crease running down the middle.
- Step 2: Fold the bottom layer up to the center crease.
- Step 3: Crease the fold well with your fingers or a bone folder.
- Step 4: Unfold the paper.
You should now have a crease running down the middle of the bottom layer of the paper.
Fold the top layer down and shape the whale.
The final step is to fold the top layer down and shape the whale.
To do this, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Fold the top layer down to the center crease.
- Step 2: Crease the fold well with your fingers or a bone folder.
- Step 3: Unfold the paper.
- Step 4: Fold the top corners of the paper down to the center crease.
- Step 5: Crease the folds well with your fingers or a bone folder.
- Step 6: Fold the bottom corners of the paper up to the center crease.
- Step 7: Crease the folds well with your fingers or a bone folder.
- Step 8: Shape the whale’s body by gently pushing and pulling on the paper.
You can also add details to your whale, such as eyes, a mouth, and fins. To do this, simply use a pen or marker to draw the details on the paper.
Congratulations! You have now made an origami whale.
FAQ
Have a question about cool origami? Check out our FAQ section for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Question 1: What is cool origami?
Answer 1: Cool origami is a type of origami that is designed to be visually appealing and interesting. It often involves complex folds and techniques, and the finished models are often very intricate and detailed.
Question 2: What are some popular cool origami models?
Answer 2: Some popular cool origami models include the origami dragon, the origami rose, and the origami butterfly. These models are all relatively challenging to fold, but they are also very rewarding to complete.
Question 3: Where can I learn how to fold cool origami models?
Answer 3: There are many resources available online and in libraries that can teach you how to fold cool origami models. You can also find origami classes and workshops in many communities.
Question 4: What kind of paper is best for cool origami?
Answer 4: The best type of paper for cool origami is thin and strong. Origami paper is a good option, but you can also use other types of paper, such as printer paper or tissue paper.
Question 5: How can I make my cool origami models look better?
Answer 5: There are a few things you can do to make your cool origami models look better. First, make sure to fold the creases sharply and accurately. You can also use a bone folder to help you crease the paper. Finally, you can add details to your models, such as eyes, mouths, and fins, to make them more realistic.
Question 6: Can I sell my cool origami models?
Answer 6: Yes, you can sell your cool origami models. However, it is important to make sure that you are not selling copyrighted designs. You can also sell your models online or at craft fairs and markets.
We hope this FAQ section has answered some of your questions about cool origami. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us.
Now that you know more about cool origami, check out our tips section for some helpful advice on how to fold better origami models.
Tips
Here are a few tips to help you fold better cool origami models:
Tip 1: Start with simple models.
Don’t try to start with the most complex origami models right away. Start with simple models and work your way up to more challenging ones as you gain experience.
Tip 2: Use good quality paper.
The type of paper you use can make a big difference in the quality of your origami models. Use thin and strong paper that is easy to fold. Origami paper is a good option, but you can also use other types of paper, such as printer paper or tissue paper.
Tip 3: Fold carefully and accurately.
One of the most important things in origami is to fold carefully and accurately. Make sure to crease the folds sharply and neatly. You can use a bone folder to help you crease the paper.
Tip 4: Be patient.
Origami can be challenging, but it is also very rewarding. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t get it right the first time. Just keep practicing and you will eventually be able to fold even the most complex models.
With a little practice, you’ll be able to fold amazing cool origami models that will impress your friends and family.
Now that you have some tips for folding cool origami models, check out our conclusion section for a summary of what we’ve covered.
Conclusion
Cool origami is a challenging and rewarding art form that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. With a little practice, you can fold amazing models that will impress your friends and family.
In this article, we have covered the basics of cool origami, including how to fold the most popular models, what kind of paper to use, and how to make your models look their best. We have also provided some tips to help you fold better origami models.
We hope that this article has inspired you to try cool origami for yourself. With a little practice, you’ll be able to fold amazing models that will show off your creativity and skill.
So what are you waiting for? Start folding today!