PAPER MODEL - CHOKIPETA'S SHIGARAKI TANUKI FIGURE

Nikki e-mailed me her comments on the last few paper models I built.

She wrote that:

1. The paper models were "satisfactory" (Bumblebee was "nice", the Cottages were "whimsical", Nice Bunny looked "evil", etc...) and,

2. They were too simple to construct that even her arthritic grandma could build it.

So I searched the ‘net for something that would be very nice to look at and quite challenging for her grandma to construct.

I found an excellent website that features various paper models. I downloaded a Shigaraki Tanuki (Japanese for “Raccoon Dog”) who looks absolutely ADORABLE. Shigaraki is a place in Japan. A raccoon dog is an animal resembling, of course, a dog, with raccoon-like markings. Tanuki is a very popular character in Japan, and were made into pottery statues. It is said to represent a number of positive traits and widely believed by Japanese as a bearer of commercial prosperity.

Mr. Tetsuzo Fujiwara was an ingenious ceramic sculptor who started the craze of making figurines with different expressions, which became a tradition. Hats off to Mr. Fujiwara for the inspiration!

A standard tanuki bears a hat (for protection from the weather; symbolizing caution and awareness), wide eyes (for careful attention to details), a smiling good-natured face turned upwards (for friendliness and sincerity), a big round belly (for bold decisiveness), a traditional Tokkuri (a Japanese sake flask, for personal grace), a promissory note / money bag (for trust / economic fortune), and a tail (Japanese believed that true fortune comes to those who stand firm and proud).

Surprisingly, the model took me only an hour to build.

And the final result is:

I’m planning to build a paper case to house this one soon.

To download this paper model, just click on the link below:

LINK:

http://www.chokipeta.jp/

PAPER MODEL - HED KASE NICE BUNNY FIGURE

I downloaded & built this bunny paper model from Hed Kase designed by Brian Castleforte, a freelance motion graphics designer / animator.

Unlike the Fool's Plate Figure, Nice Bunny features a more straightforward design; similar to the "hako" (japanese for cube) style.

Building this model took me just a little over an hour due to the time needed for the glue to dry. I used light cardstock paper in order for the model to be sturdy. I also inserted a drinking straw (the one used in tetra pack juice drinks) to connect the head with the body.

According to the website: Nice Bunny is a bad ass little anti-hero hellbent on helping people do their part in making the world a better place. By making little changes here and there, we can all make a big difference. And it all starts with one simple lesson... Be Nice! Nice to each other, nice to animals, and nice to environment. Enter the world of NiceBunny...and learn how you can help to make the world you live in, a better place for all!


You can download Nice Bunny and a host of other designs (it's free!) at the link below.

LINK:

http://www.nicebunny.com/

PAPER MODEL - FOOL'S PLATE FIGURE

THE EVOLUTION OF PAPERCRAFT

DAY ONE:

I recently made a paper model from a jpeg image sent to me via e-mail last month by the husband-wife team of Nikki & Ray.

The e-mail said, and I quote: "Hoy! Do something creative with this. We don't know how to build this *expletive*".

Hmmm... Let's see: I've got loads of work to do, social life is virtually non-existent and lovelife is on its death throes to oblivion...Why not?

Studying the image of model parts, I puzzled out where and how the parts are linked together; mentally assembling each component so I could see what the final model would look like. I thought it is pretty easy. I printed the model parts on substance 20 paper and since it is mostly in black, I used a laserjet printer.

I thereafter started planning what tools and supplies to buy during lunch break and went off to Megamall after office hours to get the necessary items.

I started with the head, neck, torso, coat, and left half of the legs. I used a rust-colored Yoken marker for the hair. I got so engrossed with it when I heard a rumbling sound. I realized later that it was my tummy complaining. Change of priorities, then. I cleaned up my mess and went straight to finding nourishment.

It was late when I got back that I felt too tired and decided to finish it tomorrow after work.

DAY TWO:

I finished the lower body and attached it to the upper torso and neck.

I was about to finish the hands and feet when my mobile's overseas tone rang. It was Nikki.

Nikki: "Hoy, nagawa mo na ba 'yung pangit na paper model?"

Me: "And hello to you too. Yup, I received it yesterday. Ginagawa ko na nga eh. Almost done."

Ray (butting in, apparently they're using two phones): "Hey, dude. I'll send you another one soon, okay?"

Nikki (to Ray): "Sweetie, shut up for a second. Nag-uusap kami. (to me) For the nth time, Tito, will you please, for God's sake, come with us here? Maganda ang weather dito, you could easily get a job here; the pay's good, and you could stay with us (ramble, ramble...)."

Me: "Thanks, guys. We went through this already, dito na lang ako. Masaya ako dito sa trabaho ko."

Ray: "At least visit us this Christmas?"

Me: "I'd like to, but, ang pamasahe..."

Nikki & Ray: "WE'LL PAY!"

Me: "I'll think it over muna."

Nikki & Ray: "Ugggh!"

We burned the phone line for 30 minutes more. I promised to send a photo of the model as soon as I finished it. When we both signed off, I just realized I am almost done. (talk about multi-tasking)

I just need to attach the right hand, scalpel-like sword, and both feet and... voila!

I texted Ray as soon as I finished this and asked him the website where he got the pattern. He replied that he got it from his office mate who said it was a character from a now-defunct Korean video game: "A Rhapsody From A Strange Land - Fool's Plate".

Nikki & Ray were thrilled to see the finished model. They're also expecting me to send more photos of other finished paper models soon.

I give and I give...