Origami paper comes in a variety of colors and patterns.
Origami, the traditional Japanese paper art, is a popular hobby because it is mentally stimulating and requires minimal materials. With a single sheet of paper, it is possible to create a wide variety of objects ranging from flowers and intricate symbols to birds, dinosaurs and even mini-automobiles. The origami raptor uses the basic bird base and builds upon it to create the ferocious creature. You can use green origami paper to enhance the overall effect and add extra detail to the raptor with markers or acrylic pants.
Instructions
Construct the Bird Base
1. Fold the paper in half so that the top edge meets the bottom and forms a rectangle. Press firmly to crease and unfold. Rotate the paper and repeat so that the creases form three squares.
2. Turn the paper over and fold the upper right corner to the lower left corner and make a diagonal crease. Unfold and repeat with the upper left corner. The creases should now form a star with the point located directly in the center of the paper.
3. Rotate the paper so that the square becomes a diamond, and fold in half. Grip the right triangular tip and invert it in toward the body of the paper using the creases as a guide. Repeat on the left side so that the paper resembles a diamond. This diamond is referred to as the preliminary base.
4. Fold the upper right flap toward the center, press to secure and repeat with the left side flap. Turn the paper over and repeat the same folds on the left and right side. The base will resemble an ice cream cone.
5. Press firmly to strengthen the creases and unfold all four flaps. Invert the right side flap and using the creases as a guide, tuck it in the base. Repeat with the left side flap. Flip the base and repeat on the opposite side. The base will now resemble the shape of a kite.
Build the Raptor Body
6. Fold the upper flap of the longer end of the kite base toward the opposite side and press firmly. Grip the base from both sides and fold outward from the middle, so that the center becomes an edge.
7. Pull the top flap up and press to crease so that the base resembles an uneven sailboat. Fold the tip of the flap over to make the dinosaur's head.
8. Grip the left triangular edge and fold the tip down to create the dinosaur's claws.
9. Grip the right side of the base and find the three separate flaps. Fold the top right flap down to form the dinosaur's leg. Repeat on the left side and leave the middle flap to serve as the raptor's tail. Invert the tips on both legs to create the feet.
10. Decorate and add detail to the dinosaur.
