Origami n' Stuff 4 Kids: Creating a computerized children's book illustration of an albatross

Origami Folding Tips

Origami, from the Japanese ori (to fold) and kami (paper), began in the 6th century when Buddhist monks introduced paper to Japan. The print-and-fold crafts and easy diagrams are designed to help children with fine motor skills, directions and hand eye coordination. Some basic origami folding tips:

Print and cut out patterns carefully.
Fold with clean, dry hands.
Follow the instructions. Study the diagrams and be patient.
Be precise: fold each crease well, flattening the creases by running your fingertip over the fold.
Folding the paper away from you is easier than folding towards you.
Be creative...use your origami on greeting cards, holiday decorations, table place cards and bookmarks.

One of the characters in a book I wrote and illustrated, "Whales' Tails and Turtle Trails" features a Laysan Albatross (Moli, or Phoebastria immutabilis). These magnificent seabirds have an 80 inch wingspan, and breed in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

Photo by Robert Schwemmer

1. Creating feathers using a general leaf template.

2. Next, grouping feathers together.

3. Now it's time to create a framework on which to paste my feathers.

4. Finally, colorizing the feather patterns completes the albatross.

5. Now that I've established the distinctive markings of the albatross, it's time to stylize the bird so that it's more appealing to children. I've enlarged the eyes and the beak, and have added a lei:

Origami n' Stuff 4 Kids

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