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Origami Essence

By Roman Diaz

Published: 2009 by L'Atlier du Gresivaudan
Pages: 160
Binding: Hardcover
Language: Spanish and English
ISBN: 9782844240631

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)? Yes
Overall Impression

The latest offering from Roman Diaz is both a sequel and a deviation from his earlier book: Origami for Interpreters. While the first book was more about personal interpretations through wet-folding and sculpting techniques, the second book, although still offering many interpretation challenges, also contains models which can be folded just by following the instructions, are composed of clean lines, and incorporate great color-changes. These models comprise the first section of the book. The second section has inflatable and polyhedral models, which are more abstract, but with a high "cuteness factor", clever designs, incorporating polyhedrons inside animals. The third section is more in step with the spirit of the first book, offering complex models which lend themselves to wet-folding and shaping, and the closing section is a detailed case-study of designing a complex bullfrog model, starting from a simple traditional frog and gradually adding features, creating several in-between models in the process.

I found the folding-process to be very enjoyable. The steps follow each-other logically, and Diaz does a great job delivering clear and concise instructions.

As in his previous book, each model comes with recommendations from the author about his favorite paper type and size for the project. The quality of the book is the usual very high quality one expects from Passion Origami Collection books.

The Models
Model Notes Photo (click for a larger image)
Panda Also diagrammed in Origami Tanteidan 14th convention book origami panda
Owl I just love the color-change on this model origami owl
Wren A very cute, easy to fold bird origami wren
Salmon origami salmon
Penguin Also diagrammed in Origami USA 2007 convention book
Kingfisher origami kingfisher
Wild boar Excellent origami wild boar
Acrobatic elephant Crease Pattern was published in Origami for Interpreters  
Folded by Roman Diaz
From Nicolas Terry's website
Cardinal Excellent origami cardinal
Vixen Great facial expresion and pose origami vixen fox
Pyramid
Geometric hens  2 variations. Cute! origami chicken
Geometric bird origami geometric bird
Tyrannosaurus Rex Co-designed with Joseph Wu origami t rex
Inflatable Swan Also diagrammed in Origami Tanteidan 15th convention book
Dove in love
Bunny
Goldfish
Folded by Roman Diaz
From Nicolas Terry's website
Inflatable fish 2 variations


Folded by Roman Diaz
From Nicolas Terry's website
Inflatable Piggy Cute origami pig
Long-tailed bird A practice in wet-folding
Folded by Roman Diaz
From Nicolas Terry's website
Donkey Excellent origami donkey
Owl Great origami owl
Singing Cardinal Beautiful origami cardinal
Ring-tailed lemur Brilliant origami lemur
Mocking bird
Folded by Roman Diaz
From Nicolas Terry's website
Unicorn Excellent origami unicorn
Hereford steer Excellent origami hereford steer
Roc
Folded by Roman Diaz
From Nicolas Terry's website
Traditional Chinese frog Also diagrammed in Origami Kit for Dummies
Little Frog Also diagrammed in Origami Kit for Dummies
Little Toad origami toad
Bullfrog Excellent 3-dimonsional body origami bullfrog