If you really want to talk about the techniques of origami, there should be only two techniques. One is to fold directly, which is called hard folding. Anyone who can fold paper can do this, so there is no need to unfold it separately. One is the wet folding method invented by Master Akira Yoshizawa. By moistening the paper (damp, not wet), the paper becomes soft and shows soft curves.
In the past, one of the standards for origami crafting was that every completed origami should be able to be folded flat, which resulted in the folded objects being represented as two-dimensional planes. This requirement has been adhered to for the past 20 years or less, but only a few have persisted to this day and are sure it works. Perhaps the person who promoted origami to become completely three-dimensional was the Japanese master named Akira Yoshizawa. His most important purpose is to capture the charm of the object, rather than simply copying some dull and lifeless appearance. To achieve this, he proposed two key concepts: shallow (soft) folding and wet folding.
In 90% of origami books, origami makers are encouraged to use their fingernails to make as clear and obvious creases as possible. This folding method results in a very dull look: either the crease is obvious or there is no crease. Master Yoshizawa suggests folding some relatively shallow and soft creases, thus adding some style to the above folding method. By using this method, a finished origami can have a complete spectrum of creases, ranging from clearly defined creases to very light creases. This folding method provides an opportunity for more expressiveness when folding a lively object.
A common technical problem when adding these light creases is that they won't stay in place easily. As a result, the final product is easily damaged and unsustainable. By using the wet folding method, Yoshizawa overcame this problem. The so-called wet folding is to fold special paper after making it wet. This kind of paper can maintain its original shape after drying. Its secret lies in the glue contained in the special paper. This is a water-soluble adhesive that binds paper fibers and provides stiffness. Once the paper is dampened, the adhesive is dissolved and the paper fibers are dispersed, making the paper soft and malleable. On the other hand, as the paper dries, the opposite happens and the paper fibers stay in any position you want.
The nature of this process requires the paper to have suitable properties (such as soluble sizing), so many types of paper are not suitable for this technical approach. Generally speaking, the thicker the paper, the better, such as a painters paper. To see if the paper is suitable, it is best to try wet folding. However, as a technique, many origami artists are deterred by its shortcomings and avoid trying it. Paper that is wet is notoriously difficult to handle and can tear easily. Loose paper fibers are easily dispersed, especially when several layers are folded at the same time. And because the paper expands unevenly in different fiber directions, accurate folding is also a problem. In addition, due to the limited thickness of the paper, it is impossible to fold complex and multi-layered folds.
In this case, why do many outstanding origami masters insist on this origami technique? In addition to its ability to create more realistic forms, wet folding also provides two other advantages. First, it makes the finished work stronger and more durable than any other method: wet-folded works can be played and stored intact without worrying about losing their original shape, making them ideal exhibits. Assuming that the papers glue (adhesive) and color are chemically neutral, origami will last for years, just like any other true work of art. The second advantage is aesthetic: there is no substitute for the beautiful appearance of thick paper, especially textured paper.
How to fold:
Start with a simple origami you've made countless times using regular paper. A good origami theme avoids sharp corners and obvious creases. The larger the starting square row, the thicker the paper you can use. Unless you are very confident in yourself, a paper weight of 170 mg/m is the upper limit. However, for small origami, 100 mg/m paper is more suitable. Try different weights of paper until you find one that works for you.
Although it is entirely possible to cut your square rows before dampening the paper, because the fibers expand in unpredictable directions, you may want to dampen the paper first and then cut the square rows. Since damp paper tears more easily, try not to make any creases before dampening the paper. To dampen paper, use an absorbent cloth to carefully brush both sides of the paper until it is evenly damp. Another alternative is to use a fine sprayer.
The key word is moisture: not wet! Only experience can tell you how moist the paper needs to be. If the paper looks a little shiny, let it dry a little before folding it. Since the paper will reveal the appearance of the folded object as soon as it begins to dry, you should fold it promptly and re-moisten the paper with an absorbent cloth when necessary. You will soon find that paper is not that easy to work with. Unless necessary, veryBe careful not to make obvious creases.
After making a crease, use the warmth of your fingers to make the relevant area slightly dry so that the paper can maintain its shape. Robert Lang, a California-based origami master, recommends using painters masking tape to increase the strength of weak areas of the paper (such as where several creases meet) and to hold the paper in a specific position until it dries. This tape can then be carefully peeled off. Because the purpose of wet folding is to "animate" origami, you should try to maintain 3 dimensions while minimizing unnecessary creases. To give a good example, the back, the back is usually formed by diagonal creases. Here, you just create a few necessary creases, rather than full diagonal creases, and loosely round the back. This way, most of your folding will be done in the air, so keep trimming and reinforcing the work, using masking tape if necessary. Once you're satisfied, let it dry naturally, or even use a hair dryer to help.
Slowly you will find that the feel and appearance of wet folding origami works cannot be matched by any other method, and the efforts you put in during the origami process are well worth it. Not only do you have a beautiful origami piece to play with, but it will last for many years to come.
The following are works using wet folding (the wet folding works of French origami master Eric Joisel can be said to be very representative. Eric is a sculptor, so the works he made have a sculptural feel. The third picture is His most representative work, Dwarf Orchestra):
