27
May
2009

The mosquito is definitely the most complex model I’ve designed so far. I’d say it falls under the category of complex, perhaps even super-complex, so requires a reasonable amount of experience with open-sink folds, box pleating and so on.

The diagrams were terribly hard to draw :(

I drew the mosquito’s crease pattern before I folded it, so it was basically designed to be a crease pattern. I’ve done my best with the steps though, and I hope you can follow them. By the way, we’re now using Lightbox, so please click a step image to view an enlarged image – you’ll probably need it :D


Update: We’re now using prettyPhoto (via the wp-prettyPhoto plugin for Wordpress) to support the new video steps. Many thanks to Stéphane Caron for the prettyPhoto jQuery plugin, and also Pier-Luc Petticlerc for the WP wrapper!
J

Origami Mosquito

Steps…

Origami Mosquito (step 1)

1. Begin with a 32 by 32 grid in preparation for box pleating. Fold and unfold using the grid for reference points.

Origami Mosquito (step 2)

2. Fold and unfold using the grid for reference points.

Origami Mosquito (step 3)

3. Fold and unfold using the grid for reference points.

Origami Mosquito (step 4)

4. Fold and unfold using the grid for reference points.

Origami Mosquito (step 5)

5. Fold and unfold using the grid for reference points.

Origami Mosquito (step 6)

6. Fold and unfold using the grid for reference points.

Origami Mosquito (step 7)

7. Fold three pleats. Use the already made grid creases.

Origami Mosquito (step 8)

8. Assemble along existing creases made from steps 1-6.

Origami Mosquito (step 9)

9. The model is now dvided into four sections. We are looking at the front section, open up this front section. We will now view the model from the side.

Origami Mosquito (step 10)

10. Reassemble along the creases on this side of the paper. Repeat on the other two sections. It helps to do all three simultaneously

Origami Mosquito (step 11)

11. Your model should now look something like this. Close back up and flatten as best you can.

Origami Mosquito (step 12)

12. Repeat steps 9-11 on the shorter left side.

Origami Mosquito (step 13)

13. …

Origami Mosquito (step 14)

14. Open up all four sections of the left side again.

Origami Mosquito (step 15)

15. Box pleat four times as indicated. Close and flatten the model.

Origami Mosquito (step 16)

16. Now reopen the four sections of the right side.

Origami Mosquito (step 17)

17. Box pleat twice as indicated.

Origami Mosquito (step 18)

18. The section marked in red will become invisible for the next few steps. Turn the model over.

Origami Mosquito (step 19)

19. We are looking at the bottom of the shorter side of the model. Notice the five flaps. You should have similar lengthed flaps on your model. Combination fold, folding the thick middle flap in half, squeezing it between thumb and forefinger, push up to create two very short square flaps.

Origami Mosquito (step 20)

20. This is now the shape of the flaps. Notice the two short flaps you just created, and the three middle flaps have been pushed up a bit. Flatten the model as much as you can.

Origami Mosquito (step 21)

21. Three reverse folds as indicated. Repeat behind

Origami Mosquito (step 22)

22. Valley fold the front flap down as far as it will comfortably go. Repeat behind.

Origami Mosquito (step 23)

23. Rabbit ear fold the two thick top flaps out to the right.

Origami Mosquito (step 24)

24. Rabbit ear fold the front flap up and out to the right as well. Repeat behind.

Origami Mosquito (step 25)

25. Swivel the long think layers around a bit.

Origami Mosquito (step 26)

26. In the long flap there are three layers. reverse fold the middle layer out.

Origami Mosquito (step 27)

27. Crimp this layer three times.

Origami Mosquito (step 28)

28. Now swivel the short side out a little. A bit less then the other side.

Origami Mosquito (step 29)

29. Valley fold. Repeat behind.

Origami Mosquito (step 30)

30. Rabbit ear fold. Repeat behind.

Origami Mosquito (step 31)

31. Rabbit ear fold this flap so it sticks straight out towards you.

Origami Mosquito (step 32)

32. And rabbit ear it again so it sticks out toward you a bit, and then down.

Origami Mosquito (step 33)

33. Repeat the last two steps behind.

Origami Mosquito (step 34)

34. Repeat a similar process on the next two flaps.

Origami Mosquito (step 35)

35. Rabbit ear the next two flaps to look like antennae.

Origami Mosquito (step 36)

36. Shape the probiscus as you wish.

Origami Mosquito (step 37)

37. Now remember those two short square flaps we made in steps 19-20. Shape them into eyes.

Origami Mosquito (step 38)

38. Shape the toes, And do any final shaping you like.

Origami Mosquito (step 39)

39. Model complete.

Any questions, feedback or suggestions for improvement, please comment!

J

Comments (1)
  1. Bilal sardar on 17th October, 2009 at 11:53 pm

    This is indeed the ultra complex model.

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