How to Make an Origami Owl
Origami, the Japanese art of paper folding, has fascinated people for centuries. With just a simple piece of paper, you can create intricate and delicate shapes that bring joy and delight to everyone who sees them. Among the many animals that find representation in origami, the owl holds an enduring appeal. In this article, we’ll guide you through the process of making your own origami owl in a few easy steps.
What You’ll Need:
– A square piece of origami paper (preferably 6×6 inches)
– A flat surface to work on
– Patience and focus
Step 1: Prepare your paper
To start with, choose a square piece of origami paper. It’s best to use paper specifically designed for origami, as it is thin and folds easily. Place the paper color-side down on your flat surface.
Step 2: Create initial folds
Fold your paper diagonally both ways, creating an X-shaped crease. Unfold after each fold. Next, fold the paper horizontally and vertically to create two more perpendicular creases. Unfold the paper again.
Step 3: Form the first basic shape
Now that you have guidelines in place, fold the left and right edges of the paper into the center, aligning them with the vertical center crease. Press firmly along the fold lines.
Step 4: Create a kite shape
Take both top corners of your newly-created folded shape and fold them towards the bottom-center point where the two initial diagonal creases intersect. Your paper should now resemble a kite shape.
Step 5: Add features to your owl
Fold down approximately one-third of the top layer from the top vertex of your kite shape to form a small triangle – this will serve as your owl’s beak. Next, fold up both bottom flaps (the longer tail ends of the kite) on either side, bringing their points to meet at the beak, creating your owl’s feet.
Step 6: Form wings and finalize the shape
Create a small fold along both sides of the paper (where the lower parts of the kite shape fold outwards) to establish your owl’s wings. Finally, gently fold back the small feet you created in Step 5 slightly upward, giving dimensionality and grounding to this area.
Step 7: Adjust adornments (optional)
Feel free to add additional embellishments like eye markings using pens, small beads, or additional paper folds to personalize and detail your origami owl further.
Congratulations! You’ve just made an origami owl. Though initially challenging, with practice and patience, you can create different variations of these charming creatures. Origami is not just a hobby; it’s also an art form that teaches discipline, attention to detail, and patience. By sharing this skill and your creations with others, you help keep a centuries-old tradition alive and thriving for generations to come.