How to make origami dragon: Features of popular techniques and photo review of simple models

Features of paper dragons

In various fairy tales and legends dragons are often found - mythical creatures that resemble dinosaurs. Lovers of art and creativity often choose them as an object for painting, modeling, paper construction. Models in the technique of origami - among the most popular.

In the East, the dragon is attributed many mythical properties - it endows the brave and kind gifts and talents, bails out in need and symbolizes wisdom. Not surprisingly, paper dragons are found everywhere in Japan, even in large sizes, in the form of large kites, not to mention origami.

Now you can find a lot of information on how to fold a dragon of paper. If you want to have on your desk or on a shelf original decoration to make a gift for the Year of the Dragon in the eastern calendar - it is time to sit down for the mastering of origami.

You do not even need scissors and glue - only paper in the shape of a square. It is completely ready to work, you only need to use the instructions for bending.

Variants of origami

There are two basic approaches to creating such figures - modular and simple, schematic.

• The modular version is more refined, more like a dragon. This is a detailed version of the character, similar to a cartoon or even movie character. In this case, mini-modules are made (up to 1000 pieces) and attached to each other.
• Schematic only in general resembles a dragon and its silhouette. This version can easily be mastered by a child.

You can choose any suitable version to your liking. Beginners should not complicate the task and try to create a large-scale model at once, you can start with simple models and gradually build skills.

Paper for creativity

You can take a simple office or stationery paper, colored or corrugated. But ideally it should be a special paper for origami. It is sold in stores for creativity and crafts.

When choosing a shade, you should pay attention to metallic shades - then the resemblance to the dragon will be very good. Office paper can be printed with a shaped pattern, ornament or "wallpaper" in the style of the dragon's skin, this will give a realistic product.

If the beast is made of white paper, you can color it in the finished product to your liking. For example, you can emphasize its resemblance to the dragon from the cartoon "How to Train Your Dragon" or from a favorite fairy tale.

A simple model dragon

Origami dragon of paper in the basic style will be not only a pleasant experiment, but also a cute decoration in the room. The technique is great for children's creativity at the age of 10 years, adults will also enjoy it.

Instructions for folding:

1. Make a square of paper (if the sheet is A4 format - cut off or tear off the excess on the fold). The sheet is folded diagonally, unfolding with the preservation of the folds.
2. Fold this square in half twice, fold again to make 8 lines on the space of the square.
3. Holding the opposite corners, make a rhombus on the existing lines (if not at once, it is worth practicing).
4. Turn the diamond up folds. Edge bend to the middle on both sides.
5. Should get a kite-like figure. The top of a triangle bend to one side, gently smooth out.
6. Rhombus straighten, so that the inner triangle appeared.
7. At the time of bending back the top layer should form a boat, as on the opposite side. Then straighten the workpiece - the lozenge is pulled out with pointed corners.
8. The upper corners unbent upwards. Then the top also unbent straight to the fold line, similarly - in different directions.
9. The figure is stretched for the acute angles, so the figure becomes three-dimensional, at the top there is a pyramid. Top of the concave inside of the whole structure.
10. The figure pressed to the center on different sides, fold as compact as possible to form a child's flying kite.
11. Fold the corners on each side, fold up the bottom. To turn the figure will need to "perelistnut.
12. Get a triangle, unbending angles upward. Again perelistnut the whole figure, but it must keep the shape of a triangle. There will be two, with sharp angles - the wings of a dragon on the sides, they need to bend 90 degrees.
13. In the center there are small triangles - the future head and tail, as well as paws in the form of trapezes.
14. Fold the triangle on the near side, to get the column in the middle. One acute triangle is placed in parallel, turning out to the bottom.
15. Small triangles bend back one by one, make a paw in the same direction for stability, the neck bend upwards, first bending the head. At the top will be pointed - a horn, it must be bent back.
16. Wings bend at an angle, give them realism, creating a crease.
17. In the tail also make a relief with three folds, flatten the tail, but keep the volume. Straighten the whole figure, give it volume.

Dragon is ready, it usually takes 30 to 60 minutes to make. It is a good souvenir and decoration for a child or a living room.

Tips from the masters

A few recommendations will help to make the work more original and brighter:

• Paper can be painted in rainbow colors with watercolor, as well as onion husks, strong tea - this will give "natural" stripes, imitating the skin of the dragon.
• Heavy cardboard is better not to take, it can be broken at the fold or crumble, in addition, he loses his appearance after repeated unfolding.
• The finished figure can be sprinkled with varnish or spray paint, glue the pearl eyes.

Origami unites!

Young children can actively join in the work on the figures. It is worth bearing in mind that work with complex objects requires patience, observation, logical thinking. Adult help is very important, but most importantly, that the process brought fun. If there are questions, you can clarify the process on the Internet or in manuals for origami.

Let origami paper dragon for beginners will form the basis for further creativity of the child, and maybe the whole family. It is very interesting to be engaged in constructing of paper, gathering around the table on winter evenings. This activity is not only interesting, but also developing, very inspiring for other types of handmade creative work.

Dragon photo in origami technique