How to Make an Origami Wolf

It's easy to learn how to make an origami wolf using only one piece of paper and no special tools. In fact, a wolf sculpture is perhaps one of the easiest of all origami folding techniques to master. Besides being a lot of fun, learning how to make an origami wolf is a wonderful lesson in patience and persistence for children and adults alike.

The graceful beauty of an origami model is simplicity at its finest. Origami is the ancient Japanese art of creating various shapes and forms using a single piece of paper. The art form may appear complex, but with a little practice you can learn how to create beautiful figures using only a few basic folding techniques. The technique involves geometry, sequence and focus. In the end you will be amazed at how one little piece of paper can hold such infinite possibilities.

Origami comes from the Japanese verb "oru," which means "to fold," and the noun "kami," which means "paper." A finished origami figure is called a "model," while the method for folding a model is called a "design." Drawn instructions for a model are called a set of "diagrams." Finally, origami artists are referred to as "paperfolders."

When it comes to mastering projects such as origami, practice makes perfect. Once you learn the basic techniques, you will want to try your hand at other sculptural interpretations, such as the origami wolf.

Materials:

• Origami paper in your choice of size and color

• A smooth, hard workspace

Directions:

1. Place the paper on your work surface so it looks like the shape of a diamond.
2. Starting from the bottom, fold away from yourself or up so that the shape of the paper is that of a triangle.
3. Fold the lower right corner of the triangle to meet the lower left corner so now you have another triangle shape on the side, similar to a sailboat's mast.
4. Hold your triangle and lift up one flap and fold it up and away from yourself until the two points meet at the top.
5. Turn your model over and lift the other bottom flap of the triangle up and away from yourself. You have now created a smaller triangle that should resemble a reverse mast.
6. Rotate your design 45 degrees and fold both ends on both sides to the center. Doing so will form the wolf's legs.
7. Make a fold and firm crease at the back point for the tail so your model can stand on its own.
8. Holding your model at the back, open up the three point/flaps and take the center flap and pull down to form the wolf's head. The other two flaps remain as the pointy ears.

Once you've completed the first wolf, you can making more using origami paper of differing sizes and colors until you have your very own wolf pack.

You can use almost any kind of paper for this project. However, true origami paper, which is thin and strong, yields better results. Standard origami paper is typically six inches square and is white on one side, and colored on the other. In addition to basic origami paper, you can also purchase animal prints, metallics, florals, and a variety of other patterns and colors. Origami artists also experiment with cardboard, fabric, towels, wire mesh, sheet metal, and even sheets of pasta.

Origami paper derives its names from its origins such as its fiber base, type of paper family, the technique used to make it, its attributes, and traditional use. The following are some common origami papers that can use to make an origami wolf and a glorious paper forest of flora and fauna.

• Washi--A beautiful handmade paper, which is very strong, and traditionally six inches square
• Chiyogami--A bright, decorative stenciled or printed paper
• Yuzen--Origami paper associated with kimonos; its intricate designs often include flowers
• Momigami--Crinkled paper which gives the model a crumpled effect
• Aizome/Aizomeshi--At one time it was only available in shades of blue, but it is now made in a variety of colors
• Shinwazome--A thick, raised paper which is a little harder to fold
• Shibori--Paper produced through the traditional Japanese art of tie-dying

Origami paper is widely available at stationery and crafts stores as well as many online stores. It comes in a multitude of colors, sizes, and shapes including square, rectangular, circular, and semi-circular. When you are learning origami it's a good idea to cut various sizes of squares from lightweight paper for practice. This is a good way to recycle paper from your home office or flyers that come in the mail. Making origami models can be addictive, so it's wise to stock up on lots of paper.

The following websites offer a wide selection of origami paper:

• Origami Corner offers a wealth of resources from information and history of origami and a wide selection of beautiful papers.
• Discount School Supply sells an origami kit with project ideas, 40 sheets of 9-inch square lightweight paper in assorted colors and easy to follow instructions.

Origami is a powerful symbol of Japan's cultural heritage. This fascinating art form is practiced globally and transcends language and cultural barriers with its ethereal beauty. With a little practice, you too can share in the magic of this relaxing hobby.

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