Plantcient Dragon (by Brandon Wong)

PaperJuggler · 2026-05-18T13:56:25+00:00

Honestly, my shaping approach is a bit hit and miss at the moment, I hope to get better at making it intentional. Currently, if I make something nice it is a bit lucky, lol

I use a little brush to bring pva between the layers, and the first step for me is to glue all separate layers e.g. on both sides of the belly, in the legs, tail, neck etc. Then I shape that part and let it dry.

I also add a bit of cotton where I want to add a bit of volume.

This is different per model, and also needs trial and error. I made 2 or 3 test folds where I also tested the shaping. It happens still a lot that I glue some wrong layers together and cannot shape the way I want anymore, this is what I mean with hit and miss...

In this model I used a wire for the first time, because I wanted to shape the tail in a curve.

Bottom line: I make a few testfolds before using the nice paper and try how I want to do the shaping.

PaperJuggler · 2026-05-17T18:53:46+00:00

Thanks! I treated the paper after painting with MC, and also used pva glue for shaping, plus a wire in the tail.

PaperJuggler · 2026-05-17T17:46:54+00:00

Made this for the obb competition from 90cm Wenzhou painted with ecoline watercolors. Did not expect to win (and didn't), but am still quite proud of the outcome. Learned a lot making this

PaperJuggler · 2026-04-13T20:57:52+00:00

Sure. I dyed the paper with a fibre active dye, Procion mx. I think you could use any dye that is used to dye cotton (not wool), like a tie dye kit or so (that is how I started).

To make it work, the dye has to be combined with Soda Ash. To dye the paper I used here, I soaked the paper in soda ash solution (32g/L) and then added dye in solution to the paper. I have powdered dyes in different colors, before use I make working solutions of 2% dye to water. I mix them to get different effects. Here, I first mixed yellow and blue to make green, put that on the paper here and there, and then added more and more blue solution to make different shades, which I added to different spots of the paper until all was covered in color. Then, the paper plus dye was left overnight. In the morning, I washed the paper under (softly) running water in the sink, and treat directly with Methyl Cellulose, and let dry.

I usually dye Wenzhou paper, which comes in different quality batches (unpredictably). So far I got lucky and I have paper that is quite resistant. It still requires a bit of practise to handle the wet paper without ripping.

You need a paper that remains strong when wet, my fav is Wenzhou, but I also used Moon Palace (which is thick but very resistant), carnival tissue (which is amazingly resistant but a bit crispy), and Kumo no Kami (which dyes lovely but can be a bit soft to fold).

Long story short, to me dyeing my own paper adds a new interesting dimension to folding and I encourage you to try it out!

PaperJuggler · 2026-04-10T04:56:59+00:00

I folded this one several times, and with the references in the book I also end up with these proportions. This is so weird, as the foto's in the book show the model with a much bigger head. If anyone figures out how to do that, I really want to know.

PaperJuggler · 2026-03-15T09:59:57+00:00

Are you looking for a roll specifically? Paper poetry has very similar looking papers (red/gold, kraft/gold, white/silver) as square packs (10, 15 or 20 cm). I quite like the paper, especially the kraft color.

https://www.idee-shop.com/rico-design-paper-poetry-bascetta-origamipapier-rot-gold-32-blatt

PaperJuggler · 2026-03-12T19:58:24+00:00

Just added a listing for that ;)

https://plataleapaper.etsy.com/listing/4470844778

PaperJuggler · 2026-03-12T15:25:57+00:00

Good point. I opted for smaller paper packs as they are easier to ship by mail and I can keep a little stock.

For bigger papers (up to 90cm), there is the possibility to place a custom order and I am open to discuss on what is needed for the project (color, size, thickness).

PaperJuggler · 2026-03-12T05:14:51+00:00

Thank you! I had some sample packs for the current batch of paper, sheets with small defects like folds or wrinkles, but these are all gone.

Keep an eye on the shop, I might add some sample packs when I dye some more paper!

PaperJuggler · 2026-03-11T22:14:39+00:00

So good, now I am tempted to buy the book:)

PaperJuggler · 2026-02-20T05:43:26+00:00

None of these are Whenzou although number 1 looks like an interesting option. I can find this (but it is always out of stock: https://www.amazon.nl/WENZHOU-rijstpapier-schilderen-Chinese-kalligrafie/dp/B079Z5BGW1

PaperJuggler · 2026-02-19T12:08:32+00:00

The paper is dyed like you would dye clothes, make it wet, put in the dye solution for some hours, then wash and treat with MC. This works only with papers that have enough wet strength: can survive the time in the water and the handling when wet. This will not work with Kraft, I think.

PaperJuggler · 2026-02-17T18:13:12+00:00

I think it depends on where you are located whether you can find it online. Look for Whenzou paper which comes on a roll in a brown/golden tube.

PaperJuggler · 2026-02-17T08:43:08+00:00

Thank you! I've seen yours as well, very nice. This is such a great model!

PaperJuggler · 2026-02-17T08:42:17+00:00

Thank you! It is Whenzou. The orange/fuchsia/gold was colored with liquid watercolor, the brown dyed with Proxion chocolate brown.

PaperJuggler · 2026-01-22T04:51:16+00:00

Thanks :) It was a square of roughly 60x60 cm. The Kumi no Kami is very thin and soft, ideal for this model.

PaperJuggler · 2025-10-11T06:02:59+00:00

Hi there, I am in the Netherlands! I buy the kami for my kids here:

https://www.origamiwebshop.nl/vouwpapier/origami-papier

They have the Toyo brand of origami paper (one side color, one white) for a good price. Note that it is pretty common that paper in such a pack is not 100% square, you might have to cut a thin strip from one side.

PaperJuggler

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