Origami Dragon From Traditional Crane Base

This is a modification of the traditional origami crane model that turns it into a soaring dragon.

Supplies

One square sheet of paper. The model in the pictures was created with 15cm (6in) double-sided origami paper, but you can use any size or type of paper you like! I've had success with this model with post-its (although the sticky side can be a pain) and with basic printer paper cut down to a square.

Step 1: Initial Folds

Start with the paper face up on the table. Here you're going to be pre-creasing folds to make the bird base. As always with origami, the more careful and precise you are with each fold the better your final model will turn out!

1) Fold the paper across each diagonal. Crease the line and unfold.

2) Flip the paper to the back side.

3) Fold the paper in half vertically and horizontally, again creasing and unfolding after each step.

Step 2: Bird Base

With the back side of the paper still facing up, bring the four corners together. The model should fold along your creases from step 1 to make a diamond shape as shown in the first picture here.

1) Fold the left and right sides of the top layer of the diamond in to meet the center line. Crease and unfold.

2) Open the top flap of the model and use the crease lines you just made to fold the right and left sides in on themselves (see pictures 2 and 3). You'll need to reverse the upper crease.

3) Turn the model over and repeat these folds on the other side of the diamond to complete your bird base.

Step 3: Crane Base

1) From your bird base, fold the left and right sides in to meet the center line.

2) Flip the model over and repeat on the other side to make a crane base.

3) Open up the right side of the crane base and fold the neck up, then flatten the model back down (see pictures 3 and 4). This is called an inside reverse fold and you'll be doing a lot of them in the coming steps to make the dragons head and tail.

NOTE: I make the angle on the neck a bit lower for the dragon than I do for a standard crane, but you can adjust it to your preference.

Step 4: Dragon's Head

This is the step where we start to deviate from a standard traditional crane model.

1) Inside reverse fold the neck down to start the dragon's head. I do this about half-way up the neck (lower than a normal crane). The head will look very long.

2) Inside reverse fold the head back on itself to give the dragon a squared off snout. The extra tip can be curled out from the top of the head to represent the horns.

Step 5: The Dragon's Tail

1) Inside reverse fold the left side of the model up to start the tail.

2) Make a series of inside reverse folds back and forth to give the wavy tail shape. You can play around with the angles and lengths of each fold to make your dragon unique!

Step 6: The Dragon's Wings

The dragon's wings are going to be asymmetrical, opening up higher towards the head.

1) Find the line in the first image and fold the wing down across that line.

2) Fold the wing back up along the dotted line in the second image. This line connects the place where the angle of the wing changes to the top right corner of the wing.

3) Continue folding down and up, matching the first two folds from this step and creating an accordion-like wing.

4) Once you've completed one side, flip the model over and repeat the same folds on the other side.

Step 7: Shaping the Body

Between the two wings is a triangular back which we're going to flatten.

1) Hold the model face down with the back pointing towards you.

2) Slowly but firmly pull the two wings apart, and the triangle will start to flatten into a square. You can help it along by pushing down on the point.

3) Once the square is flattened, push it down into the body of the dragon. It will bump up slightly around the neck and tail.

Step 8: (Optional) Add Talons

Your dragon is almost done! If you'd like you can give a pinch to the wings where the creases all meet at the front to add a visual talon and give the wings a bit more shape.