Origami for the Enthusiast: Step-By-Step Instructions in over 700 Diagrams

by John Montroll

Origami enthusiasts who have mastered the basic folds and seek advanced projects have found little to inspire and challenge them — until now. Origami for the Enthusiast presents 25 intricate paper animal projects, the original creations of John Montroll. Montroll's reputation among origamists and with the Origami Center of America has been growing since he showed a penchant for paperfolding at age six. At age 14, when he became an associate of the Center, he was already creating unique models. Today he is considered one of the most original creators in this elegant Japanese art — and this is the first published collection of his extraordinary work.
Animals can be among the most demanding subjects in the field. Montroll's animal patterns are perhaps more rigorous than most, but the lucid, step-by-step instructions, illustrated every step of the way, enable the dedicated origamist to learn advanced techniques. The animals are arranged in order of complexity, with Pegasus, the camel, the mountain goat, and a few others requiring as many as 70 steps. Careful attention to the first projects will smooth the way for the later animals. The paper menagerie consists of a fish, vulture, robin, squirrel, Pegasus, goldfish, catfish, peacock, rhinoceros, moth, seahorse, rabbit, elephant, stink bug, whale, stork, skunk, beetle, sunfish, mountain goat, goose, mouse, camel, grasshopper, and ostrich.
As will become apparent, once the basic form of the animal is achieved, slight variations may be introduced to alter the stance or even the nature of the animal, as with the moth, which after the eleventh step may metamorphose into a stink bug at the artist's whim.
Instructions for the standard folds and a guide to the symbols pave the path to some of the most intriguing and enjoyable challenges in origami. This book of original paperfolding projects offers origamists the chance to exercise their skills on original designs of great and delicate beauty.

Genres: Origami, Crafts, Art, Nonfiction, Reference

128 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Matt Harris]

My first of his books and a simple classic. The birds particularly have a rare cleverness and economy in the designs and an almost scientific accuracy.

Never need a ruler, nor scissors, nor anything other than the one colour paper, for this book.

I must admit I still haven't managed to try the beetles and moth at the end of the book. I think they would take around 3 hours per model... The other models take me around 1-2 hours.

Awesome! The second best Origami book I've owned.

[harry holloway]

A classic! This book changed origami forever!

[Sheherazahde]

Basic instructions, folds, and bases with clear illustrations. Twenty-five models: Fish, Goldfish, Sea Horse, Whale, Sunfish, Vulture, Ostrich, Toucan, Stork, Goose, Robin, Peacock, Rabbit, Skunk, Mouse, Squirrel, Rhinoceros, Elephant, Mountain Goat, Camel, Pegasus, Moth, Stink Bug, Beetle, and Grasshopper.

[Jordan]

This book was my tattered companion for years after my grandmother gave me a copy that had been my dad's. I've loved this book and every diagram except the moth!!! Blast! I never could get the moth! Pegasus has been my all-time favorite. 10/10... Actually, I think this deserves at least an 11/10! Excellent masterpiece by one of the best origami authors.

[lee]

again, too hard. I'm not a mathematician.

[Daniel Clark]

I have made all of these. I loved it!