Origami - the art of making various figures from paper. Origami has been known since ancient times and originates in China, where paper was invented. Later, an interesting technique came to Japan, where it gained truly huge popularity.
Origami story
Initially, this type of art was religious in nature, and paper figures were used in sacred rites. Origami training was available only to the upper classes and was considered a very important skill.
After World War II, origami spread around the world and interested not only adults, but also children of different ages.
The original origami involves the use of multi-colored square-shaped paper. Scissors and glue are not used in traditional technology. However, in modern art, paper crafts sometimes deviate from the canons.
Types of Origami
Before you start creating crafts, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the types of techniques. The following types of paper origami are available:
- Modular origami . It is one of the most popular and time-consuming techniques for folding paper figures. It is used to create a large, three-dimensional figure, consisting of several blocks or, so-called, modules. First, several components of the same or different size of paper are added up, and then they are simply inserted into each other, turning into a finished composition. The friction force does not allow the entire structure to disintegrate. A striking example of modular origami is the voluminous ball, which is often used in festive decor, and is probably familiar to many.
- Simple origami - types of origami designed for beginners or for people with disabilities. It was first developed by an English origami fan John Smith. In this system, only folds by the mountain and valley can be used. And this, in turn, means the impossibility of using most of the complex techniques from classical technology. Therefore, new techniques are being developed that allow you to achieve the desired results without complex manipulations.
- Sweep by sweep . This is one of the types of origami, which is a drawing in which all the folds of the future model are already visible. Sweep folding is considered more complicated than the standard types of origami, but it not only gives an idea of how to fold the figure, but also shows how this scheme was developed. Scanning is also used as a method of creating new origami diagrams.
- Wet folding . Types of origami techniques can not do without the method developed by Akira Yesidzyava, which involves the use of paper moistened with water. Wet folding is widely used to create figures of flora and fauna. Dampened paper allows you to make the lines smoother and more expressive, as well as give them a certain rigidity. For this type of creativity, special paper is suitable, in the manufacture of which water-soluble glue is added.
- Kirigama . This is the only type of origami in which the use of scissors is allowed. It is used to create beautiful cards with volumetric elements.
- Monegami . A type of art that is ideal for people who no longer know where to put their money, or those who, on the contrary, are trying to attract financial success to their side. Figures of this style are made from banknotes.
- Quilling . Suitable for creating full-fledged paintings. The paper is twisted in a special way to get the desired shape. Then it is glued to the base. This technique is not at all complicated, but rather laborious.
What is the Kusudama technique
Types of modular origami are often confused with the kusudama technique, which also implies the creation of a voluminous round figure from modules. The difference is that with modular origami, the components of the ball are inserted into each other, and in Kusudama they are glued or stitched together.
How to choose origami paper
Paper is the most important element in origami classes. Types and techniques of origami are diverse and require paper of different density and quality.
For modular origami, office paper of moderate density is perfect, not too smooth, colored on both sides. The quality of the paper is determined by the fact that it does not turn white on the folds.
Multicolored stickers for recordings are good for kusudama, or modular origami. Triangular modules are made of rectangular sheets, so if you cut the square sticker in half, you get a suitable base for the triangular module. There are rectangular stickers that do not require modifications.
Sets for this type of art
There is a special paper designed for origami. It is sold already chopped, usually in squares of various sizes. In the set you can find several sheets of different colors (one side is white, the other colored) or paper with an ornament.
Similar sets are issued for children. The difference is that modular origami requires a lot of paper of the same color, and in children's sets there is too much variety of colors. But in children's sets you can find rare colors, for example, black and shades of brown.
Oddly enough, but paper from magazines is also used in this creative process. Its qualitative characteristics are well suited for creating figures, and the inscriptions and pictures guarantee an interesting ornament.
Additional tools for creating paper figures
To create modules, a ruler and a paper knife are useful. To prepare the paper for work, you must first cut it into even rectangles. It will be faster to do this by folding several sheets of paper into a stack, marking with a ruler and cutting with a knife. Scissors to do this manipulation will not be very convenient.
Modular origami does not involve the use of glue, but if it comes to a children's toy or gift, it may be worth making the craft stronger. When designing the Super Ball kusudama, threads will be needed, since the individual modules are connected precisely with the help of a thread with a needle.
It is necessary to stock up in advance with elements of the “face”: eyes, noses, antennae, as well as ribbons and various bows.
The types of origami modules are very diverse:
- flat - used for mosaics;
- voluminous, with the help of which kusudame and various figures are made.
How to make a triangular module
The triangular module is the basis of many crafts. It is very easy to make it, just follow the tips below:
- We take a rectangular sheet of paper and bend it in half lengthwise.
- Bend the sheet across to see the middle. Flatten back. Lay the sheet so that the corner looks up.
- Bend the upper edges to the middle.
- Let's flip to the other side.
- Bend the lower part up.
- Bend the small corners protruding on the sides through the main triangle.
- Spread the corners and the bottom.
- We will return everything back and raise the lower part.
- Bend in half. The result was a triangular module with two vertices and two pockets. Other components can be inserted into these pockets.
The positive aspects of origami
Origami from paper is an interesting and fascinating activity. Both adults and children love him. Origami is especially useful for children from 3 to 15 years. This art form develops sleight of hand, spatial imagination and creative thinking.
Plus, after a short practice, you can make gifts with your own hands. The joy of children from new toys is difficult to overestimate.
So you will not regret when you master origami.