Gilad's Origami Page

Advanced Origami

An Artist's Guide to Performances in Paper

By Michael G. LaFosse

Published: 2005 by Tuttle Publishing
Pages: 140
Binding: Hardcover
Language: English
ISBN: 0804836507

Buy from: Amazon.com
Buy from: Origami-shop.com

Skill Level :	From simple to complex
Clear diagrams?	Yes
Tinted diagrams (to show 2 sides of paper)?	Yes
Photos of completed models?	Yes
Is there indication to the model size resulting from size of starting paper?	Yes
Are the models "Pure" origami (From square - no cuts)?	Almost all are from squares

Overall Impression

Not only does this book contain diagrams for Michael LaFosse's fantastic masterpieces (I've been waiting for the Toucan diagrams for years!), but it also deals at length with origami as an art. Starting with general tips for folding, and discussing wet-folding, back-coating, using Methyl Cellulose for wet-folding, making tissue foil, how to choose the right paper for the job, and making special paper for origami from scratch! All with full-color photographic illustrations.
For paper-making, however, I recommend Origamido's video "Paper Making..." which goes into the process in much more depth.
The book also have paper "recipes" for several types of papers for origami, including those favored by Robert Lang and Satoshi Kamiya.

LaFosse's models are challenging, not because they employ complex sinks or a lengthy sequence of steps (most models average at 30 steps or so), but because you must use your sculpting skills to be able to breathe life into them.

LaFosse accompanies each models with a story behind its creation, and with valuable tips about the paper and techniques required.

This is an important book, and is highly recommended for advanced folders.

The Models

Model	Notes	Photo (Click for a larger image)
North-American cardinal	Simple and very nice
Butterfly	My favorite origami butterfly. Also published in Origami Butterflies
Koi	Very good
Sea turtle	Very good. With top shell and belly plate	Folded by Philip West
Squirrel	Excellent
Toucan	Fantastic
Frog	Excellent
Hummingbird	Excellent
Goldfish	Very good. With lots of room for improvisation
Horseshoe crab	Nice	Folded by Philip West
Cattleya orchid	From a rectangle. Excellent.	Folded by Ondrej and Radim Cibulka
Happy good-luck bat	From a triangle. Very nice. Also published in Origami USA 1995 convention book, in The Best of Annual Collections 1981-1995 and in Origami Fun World
Big brown bat	Excellent	Folded by Philip West
Praying mantis	Nice
Panther mask	Very nice