A tutorial showing how to make a 3D origami frog using the modular origami technique. This frog is made using 1/32 size pieces of paper. The difficulty is intermediate and doesn’t consume too much time.
How to make a Modular Origami Frog:
We will need a total of 337 modules for this project.
265 Green units and 72 White units will be needed.
Steps to make these triangular units is given here.
Step 1:
We will start making a connector unit in white.
Step 2:
Keep adding white such that Row 1 has 5 units and Row 2 has 4 units.
Keep this aside. We will be using it later.
Step 3:
Then build green rows in the below design:
Rows are built by increasing the number of units by one as you proceed:
Row 1 with 7 green.
Row 2 with 8 green.
Step 4:
Keep adding units till you have a row (7th Row) with 13 green units.
Step 5:
In the next Row (Row 8) as usual increase the number of units by 1 – but use 1 white unit at both the ends.
This is how it looks at this step – used 12 green units and 2 white units for this row.
Step 6:
Add the next row (Row 9), add 13 green and 1 white unit at each corner.
Step 7:
Add the next row (Row 10), add 12 green and 2 white units at each corner.
Step 8:
Now slowly bring the corners towards each other. We will join the corners using the white units set we made in Step 3.
Here it is joined together.
Step 9:
Start inserting Row 11 with white units.
We will be adding 9 white units…
…and 12 green units in this row.
A view of the model at this point.
Step 10:
Keep adding green and white units.
Row 12 – 11 Green and 8 White units
Row 13 – 10 Green and 7 White units
Row 14 – 9 Green and 6 White units.
Step 11:
Now add only green units.
Keep reducing the number of units by 1 as you proceed to the next row.
Which means,
Row 15 (but only green units) with 8 units, Row 16 with 7 units and go on till you have 4 green units in a row.
Step 12:
Now similarly add white units. In the next row insert 7 units (increase by 1) and thereafter reduce 1 unit as you go on till you have 3 units in a Row.
This is the model we get at this point. Since we have inserted the green and white units separately, we get a head like structure with a mouth.
Step 13:
For the thighs of the frog, make this structure.
Step 14:
Make one more such piece.
Step 15:
For the legs, make the below structure.
Step 16:
We will need 2 hind legs and 2 front legs for the frog.
Step 17:
The legs will be glued on to the body of the frog. For this pull out one unit from the leg as shown here.
Step 18:
Apply glue on this unit pulled out.
Step 19:
Glue on the hind leg.
Step 20:
Now insert and glue the front legs.
Step 21:
The thighs made in Step 13 are then glued on.
The math so far is:
Body + Head = 179 Green units
4 Legs x 12 = 48 Green units
2 Thighs x 19 = 38 Green units
Belly/Body = 72 White units
Step 22:
Two coils out of green paper strip have been made for the eyes of the frog.
Step 23:
White circles cut out of paper are glued on the front and back of the coil.
Step 24:
Eyes are drawn using black marker.
Step 25:
The eyes are glued on to the head of the frog to finish it!
How does the frog look next to my lotus? Isn’t he just adorable?!!
Croak away!!!
wow
you have got wonderful blog…. I am really impressed
how to make the connector unit please,
Do turtles came true?
I am using 9 X 12 construction paper. It’s all I have. Will it work?
It should!
Ashlyn I know this is a question a year old but anyway – construction paper will work but if you are new to this kind of folding, I’d suggest practicing with xome computer paper (or even notebook paper). Because the construction paper is thicker and “rougher” it won’t be happy if you have to refold it or
Thank you Ramya for always sharing such clear directions and pictures, and especially folding some objects that I haven’t seen elsewhere. Very selfless of you to keep sharing and it is appreciated!!
Thank you dear Emma for such kind words!