2019 #6 Fish: Origami fish with ETS {by Dounia Large}

2019 Topic 6: Fish

Well I didn't expect this post, and what a brilliant idea! who doesn't like a bit of paper folding!  I don't think I've ever made a fish before!! Excited to have a go! ~ Leandra

Hi everyone, it's Dounia with you tonight with some folded paper fishes.

When I saw this topic, I was a bit stumped. PaperArtsy's collections of course contain some fabulous fish stamps but they are not images I use often. I then though of mixing stamping with an other of my crafting loves, origami, the art of folding paper. It was a joy to be able to make custom papers for my fishes!

Origami paper is available in a wide range of colours, textures and patterns but making your own give a project that special personal touch, and doubles the fun!
As the paper is going to be folded, the patterns you use on it do not need to match the future origami, you can play with pretty much any of your stamps and stencils. I love graphic and stylised images as they give good rhythm and contrast. I particularly like this stamp set by Tracy Scott, ETS18 with its spiky flowers and flowing branches.

Most papers can be used as the base, so you can start from scratch or take advantage of the situation to use scraps or half finished backgrounds from other projects. Here I repurposed foiled backgrounds for some bling fishes. Little details added with Fresco Acrylic paints really make the patterns pop.

A pretty simple angel fish origami lets the pattern do most of the work (here are the video instructions). I love how the round leaves contrast with the straight lines of the folding.

Another "shortcut" is to use already printed paper as base. I find wallpaper or art supplies publications are great sources of lovely background images.

Here I used the cover of a pamphlet for watercolors. I love playing with the differences in opacity in Fresco Acrylic paints. Translucents are perfect for colouring stamps and opaques for adding bright details. No need to be perfect for a effective result! I love how the koi origami model (video instructions by Riccardo Foschi) redistributes the pattern. You never know what you are going to get!

You're not limited to paper either! As Fresco paints works on non porous surfaces without preparation, plastic is a another possibility! Recycled packaging is easy to pretty up, again alternating translucents and opaques.

The folding is admittedly a bit more fiddly but the transparency of the material adds depth and complexity to the finished origami. Also, it's so shiny!

Of course you can also pattern your paper with stencils, especially if your background is already busy. The large ones from Tracy, that fit in a square, such as PS089, are perfect for that.

 Just a little bit of doodling and you're good to go...

I got lucky and the origami model works perfectly with a central pattern:

If you use a water-resistant material, like waxed paper or plastic, you can even place your fishes in/on water!

This is another way, fun and easy, to use backgrounds and master-boards. You are of course not limited to fishes, lots of different models can easily be found, from beginner to master level! Classic flat origamis make great card elements and 3D ones can be used as decorations. It's so versatile! I hope you give it a try.

Stay curious and crafty!
Dounia

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