Origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, has captivated people worldwide with its intricate designs and therapeutic nature. While there are countless origami models, some folds are fundamental and appear in many designs. Let's explore these common origami folds, which form the building blocks of countless paper art masterpieces.
Understanding these basic folds is essential for anyone interested in learning origami. They serve as the foundation upon which more complex models are built. So, let's dive into these fundamental techniques and explore how they contribute to the beauty of origami.
Basic Folds
The basic folds are the cornerstone of origami. They are simple yet powerful, enabling artists to create a wide variety of models.
Mastering these basic folds will open up a world of possibilities in origami. Let's explore two of the most fundamental basic folds.
Valley Fold
The valley fold is one of the most common origami folds. It involves folding the paper inwards, creating a 'V' shape or valley. This fold is used extensively in origami, from creating simple shapes like a bird base to complex models like a traditional crane.
To perform a valley fold, simply fold the paper inwards along the desired line, ensuring the edges meet neatly. The resulting crease should have the paper on the inside, creating a valley. Practice this fold on different sizes of paper to gain confidence and precision.
Mountain Fold
Complementing the valley fold is the mountain fold. Instead of folding the paper inwards, a mountain fold involves folding the paper outwards, creating a 'A' shape or mountain. This fold is equally important in origami, used to create various shapes and structures.
To perform a mountain fold, fold the paper outwards along the desired line, ensuring the edges meet neatly. The resulting crease should have the paper on the outside, creating a mountain. Like the valley fold, practice this fold on different paper sizes to improve your technique.
Pleat Folds
Pleat folds are more complex than basic folds but are still fundamental to many origami models. They involve folding and unfolding the paper multiple times along the same line, creating a series of small folds.
Mastering pleat folds will allow you to create intricate details and patterns in your origami. Let's explore two common pleat folds.
Squash Fold
The squash fold is a simple pleat fold that involves folding the paper inwards along a line, then unfolding it, and folding it again along the same line. This creates a series of small folds that can be used to create various shapes and patterns.
To perform a squash fold, fold the paper inwards along the desired line, then unfold it. Fold it again along the same line, creating a series of small folds. The resulting creases should be parallel to each other. Practice this fold to create intricate details in your origami models.
Reverse Fold
The reverse fold is a variation of the squash fold. Instead of folding the paper inwards twice, you fold it outwards the first time and inwards the second time. This creates a series of small folds that slope in the opposite direction to a squash fold.
To perform a reverse fold, fold the paper outwards along the desired line, then unfold it. Fold it inwards along the same line, creating a series of small folds that slope outwards. Practice this fold to create unique patterns and shapes in your origami.
Origami is a journey of discovery, and mastering these common folds is the first step. With practice, you'll find that these folds become second nature, allowing you to explore more complex models and express your creativity through paper art. So, grab some paper and start folding!