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70
Philip Shen:
MoreGeometric
More Geometric Folds
Paperfolds
Boaz Shuval
No. 70
www.britishorigami.info
More Geometric Paperfolds
Philip Shen
Compiled by Boaz Shuval
Preface and acknowledgements
Philip Shen has always been on my list of top origami artists. My first exposure to his work
was in Paul Jackson’s excellent book (now sadly out of print), “Classic Origami”. The model
diagrammed there, Shen’s Incense Burner, was unlike anything I had ever folded before. It
seemed like I was folding aimlessly, creating a beautiful pattern of creases. Then, in a magical
move, the creases are brought together and the clean, complete, and beautiful form of the
model emerges.
I started seeking for other models by Shen. They were hard to find, and most were collected
in Paul Jackson’s BOS booklet No. 18 “Selected Geometric Paperfolds”
Paperfolds”.. I enjoyed each and every
one of these, but I was still on the lookout for more. A few more models by Shen, I found,
thanks to the Origami Database, were diagrammed in out of print publications, such as old
BOS magazines, old BOS convention books etc. Alas, these models are not easily obtainable.
In August 2004, I relocated from Israel to San Diego, California. Shortly before my move, I
learnt that Philip Shen lived close to San Diego, about 2 hours away. One of the first things
I did after I landed was to contact Mr. Shen. To my dismay, I discovered that he had passed
away only days earlier.
Discovering these models, finding folding methods for them, and diagramming them has
been a joy for me. I hope that the models collected here bring you as much joy as they have
brought me. Of course, if you know of any Shen models that are unpublished, please contact
me, as I am intereste
interestedd in finding out about them. My e-mail address is: bshuval@gmail.com
This collection would not have been possible without the help of several friends: first
and foremost, I would like to thank Paul Jackson, who generously provided me access to
his his private collection of models by Shen (most models diagrammed here are from his
collection). Second I would like to thank Yee-Nar Yuen, a student of Shen’s whom I met at an
origami convention. Yee-Nar has been an enormous help in providing me with information
about Shen and also some more models from her collection. Shen’s waterbomb lock has
been extremely difficult for me to obtain. I had heard about it but could not find how to
make it anywhere. Finally Joanne Ortman provide
providedd me with the information on this fold, and
I thank her for this. I would also like to thank Mrs. Sylvia Shen, who has given me permission
to publish this collection, and the British Origami Society for allowing me to publish this
collection as part of their series of booklets. Finally, I would like to thank Nick Robinson for
proof-reading the diagrams and providing valuable input.
Table of Contents
10 Pointed Star 9
30 Degree Dish 12
Cot 13
Crown Bowl 15
Flower Basket 20
Flower Dish 22
Hexagonal Container 24
Icosahedral Bowl 26
Modification of the Chinese Vase 29
Pentagonal Flower 32
Petal Dish 34
Rose Dish 36
Shen’s Waterbomb Lock 40
Snowflower 42
Star Box 44
Triangular
Triangular Dish 45
BOS Publications 48
7
Folding Tips
Most of Shen’s models were created without a preconceived model in mind. Rather
than trying to design a model with specific traits, Shen enjoyed taking a piece of
paper and folding it until a model emerged. This is a process of exploration and
discovery. The models in this booklet should be folded with that in mind. In fact,
as you fold these models, you will become familiar with some of the geometries
that Shen employed. Do not be surprised if you find yourself adding creases in an
attractive pattern to a piece of paper and trying to flex them to lock in a certain
position.
There are several threads running through all these models. First, the models are
clean: they use the minimum number of creases and points, preferably without
any unused creases. Secondly, the final model is attractive, usually geometric and
somewhat abstract, and it is usually 3-dimensional and contains curved surfaces.
Keeping in line with the ideas above, crease sharply and cleanly throughout the
pre-creasing stage, unless instructed otherwise. Do not crease beyond what is
indicated, because you do not want any unwanted creases. Most importantly,
though, you should enjoy the folding.
What paper should you use for folding these models? Shen himself used to collect
various scrap papers and use them. Many of his models were folded from thin,
clear, vellum. In this medium every crease is clearly visible, and with Shen’s models
it provides a pretty effect. Another type of paper frequently used by Shen is soup-
packet wrapping (of Knorr brand). The wrapping has a shiny, silvery side, which
should be used as the “coloured” side of the paper. This material is generally not
very useful for folding, but with Shen’s models it works well.
Not all the models in this collection are folded from squares. Some are from triangles,
some are from hexagons, and some are from pentagons. I have deliberately not
provided instructions for making these forms. There are many methods, and you
should choose the method you are most comfortable with. I suggest you make
yourself some templates and use these in order to obtain starting forms that are
free from creases, or that have creases only along heavily utilized lines of symmetry
(such as diagonal and altitudes).
8
10Pointed
10 pointedStar
s ta r
If you were to receive this model by mail from Philip Shen, this is what you would have found in the envelope:
If you were to receive this model by mail from Philip Shen, this is what you would
a 10 pointed star that when unfolded reveals an intricate net of creases of various colors and instructions on
how to form them to create the model yourself.
have found in the envelope: a 10 pointed star that when unfolded reveals an inticate
In the instructions for this model, we will use the same approach. The drawings that follow correspond to
the steps as appearing on the crease pattern. Collapsing instructions will appear as a sequence of images.
net of creases of various colours and instructions on how to form them to create the
model yourself.
In the instructions for this model, we will use the same approach. The drawings 7
that follow correspond to the steps as appearing on the crease pattern. Collapsing
instructions will appear as a sequence of images.
9
1b
1a
3 2
B
1/ 2
1/ 2
parallel
parallel
A
Crease this smaller star.
Crease this small pentagon.
(The marked crease is created by bringing A to B.)
(It is created by bringing the center of each edge
of the medium pentagon to the center of the paper.)
4 5
10
12
11
Completed 10 pointed
star.
10
9
6 7
11
30 Degree
30 Dish Dish i s h
3 0 D e g re e D
˚
1
2
6
5
12
Cot
Cot
7 8
13
15
Completed Cot.
14
13
12
Like so. Turn over.
11
Lock the corners by folding the corner
Fold the sides back, and incorporate
triangles in half.
reverse folds on the corners. Do not
make any creases on the top triangle.
10
9
14
Crown Bowl
Cn blw
r
o
w o
1
2
5 4
4 – 6
15
18
17
16
15
14
13
11
10
16
19
20
21
22
24
21– 23
23
25
21– 23
Repeat steps 21-23 on other
two corners.
Unfold completely.
26
27
28
17
36
35
34
Put in folds based on creases
from steps 26-27.
Like so. View from inside Repeat steps 34-36 on all
reverse folded corner. Bring corners.
sides together.
25– 28 30
29
18
37
38
39
40
19
Flower Basket
FB
lo ak
w
e
r s te
k
1
2
Mountain-fold in half.
6 5 4
5 – 6
8
9 10
20
20
18
17
16
15
Mountain-fold both
layers.
11 – 14
14
13
12
11
12 – 13
21
Flower Dish
Flowe r d is h
1
2
4
4
5
7
8
5 – 7
9
5 – 7
5 – 7 Unfold.
22
16
14
13
Collapse as shown.
12
10 11
Precreasing completed
23
Hx
Hexagonal
etn a
Hexagonal
g
o
ln
C
o Container
Container
iea r
1
2
3
Begin with a hexagon.
4
5
Repeat 6 times.
24
14
11–12 11–12
11–12
11–12
11–12
11
12
10 6 – 9
6 – 9 6 – 9
6 – 9 6 – 9
8 9
23
25
Icosahedral Bowl
Icosahedral Bowl
I ce
oo
s
a
h
d lr
a
B
w
6 5
Add precreases.
Fold rabbit-ear down. 8
9
26
Icosahedral
Icosahedr
Icos alBowl
ahedral Bowl- Variation
- Variat 1 1
Variation
ion
I
c
o
s
a
h
e
d
r
la
B
o
l-w
V1 a
tir
o
n
1
2
Now continu
continuee folding
folding the
the icosahedra
icosahedrall
bowl from step
step 4.
Completed.
27
Icosahedral Bowl - Variation
Variation 2
Icosahedral Bowl - Variation 2
Ica
oa
s hB
e
d
r l -lw
o
Vaa
r
i tn
io 2
The folding of this model is very similar to that of variation 1. The difference between the two models is that here
there is a hexagon in the center of the triangle, rather than a triangle. By now you should have enough experience with
this model to be able to construct the creases shown without further instructions. The outcome is a dish with a curved
hexagonal bottom.
28
Mf
ifoe
d f
ic
fo
n
tha
Modification of the Chinese
C
h
i
Vase
n
s
e
V
a
s
e
1
2
1/4
1/3
1/2
6 1/3
7 8
29
15
14
13
12
11
Collapse completed.
Turn over.
In progress. Persevere. Collapse using existing creases.
Mountain folds are shown
using thick black lines, and
valley folds using gray dashed
lines.
10
5 – 9
9
1/4
1/3 5 – 9 5–9
1/2
30
16
17
18
19
21
31
Pentagonal Flower
Pentagonal Flower
Pe e
t
g
o
n
la
F
rw
3
4
Crease lightly.
6
7 8
32
15
13
11
10
9
Squash along hidden
crease.
33
Petal Dish
a
lDP
e
t
is
h
5
6
7
5–6
4–7
8 9
34
15
14
13
11
10 3D view. With the flap lifted,
strengthen the existing
mountain folds.
33
35
Rose Dish
e
R oh
is
d
1
2
4 – 6
4 – 6
36
13
9 – 12
9 – 12
12 9 – 12
11
10
37
14 15
14–15 14–15
17
18
Start to fold
17–18
38
26
25
24
23
Keep opening and fold behind.
37
39
Shen’s Waterbomb Lock
Shen’s
s a
’W
n
e
Sh b
rmb
o
te L k
k
c
o
1
2
4
5
7
8
9
10
Fold back flaps behind,
along the folded edge.
40
18
17
16
15
8 – 15 8––15
8 15 14
Repeat steps 8-15 on the
rest of the flaps.
11 12
Lift flap.
Insert finger under flap,
and “yank it open”.
41
w
e
rfS
n
f
lo
Snowflower
1
2
3
Begin with a hexagon.
Repeat 6 times.
42
11
Completed snowflower
s nowflower..
10
Pinch each ridge, and collapse center along Fold edges of outer hexagon in, along
existing creases. Push center upwards from below existing creases. Do not add any new
(center should point up). creases.
2
43
Star Box
Sb
ta
rxo
1
2
5
4
11
44
Triangular
h
s
i Dish
u
g
n
Tria D
r
a
l
6 5
8
9
Petal fold.
45
16
15
14
13
11
10 Bring point to point, but crease only
where shown. Repeat 5 more times.
5 –10 5 –10
46
17
18
19
20
21
47
BOS Publications
1 History of Origami John Smith
2 Origami and Mathematics John S Smith
3 History of Origami in Britain David Lister
4 Origami Instruction Language John S Smith
5 Teaching
Teaching Origami
Origami John S Smith
6 Geometric Division Mick Guy
7 Chess Se
Setts of Ma
Mart
rtiin Wall, Ma
Max Hume & Neal Elias Mick Guy & Dave Venables
8 Napkin Folds John Cunliffe
9 Origami and Magic Ray Bolt
10 Neal Elias: Selected Works 1964-1973 Dave Venables
11 Flexagons Paul Jackson
12 Martin Wall: Early Works 1970-1979 Martin Wall
13 Orikata John S Smith
14 Pureland Origami 1 John S Smith
15 Max Hume: Selected Works 1973- 1982 Dave Venables
16 18 of My Paper folds Paul Jackson
17 Origami Games Mick Guy & Paul Jackson
18 Philip Shen: Selected Geometric Paperfolds Paul Jackson
19 Tony
Tony O’Hare:
O’Hare: Selected Work
Workss 1973:1982 Daniel Mason
20 Origami Christmas Tree Decorations Paul Jackson
21 The Silver
Silver Rectangle John Cunliffe
Cunliffe
22 In Praise of the Bird Base John S Smith
23 Index: BOS Magazine 1-100 John Cunliffe
24 Index: BOS Magazine 101-120 John Cunliffe
25 Envelope and Letter Folds John Cunliffe
26 Animal Origami Edwin Corrie
27 Origami Jeff Benyon
28 Structural Reconstruction Ricky Wong
29 Pureland Origami 2 John S Smith
30 Paper People and Other Pointers David Petty
31 Mor ’igami Jeff Benyon
32 Patterns in Paper John S Smith
33 Animal Origami 2 Edwin Corrie
34 Neal Elias: Miscellaneous Folds I Dave Venables
35 Neal Elias: Miscellaneous Folds II Dave Venables
36 Neal Elias: Faces and Busts Dave Venables
37 Jeffori 3 Jeff Benyon
38 Four ‘igami Jeff Benyon
39 Animal Origami 3 Edwin Corrie
40 Genius of Jan Willem Derksen David Petty
41 Index: BOS Convention Packs David Petty
42 Larry Hart: Selected Works (1971-1991) Larry Hart
43 Pureland 3: Smith John S Smith
44 Multi’plication Jeff Benyon
45 The Origami
Origami of Stephen Palmer David Petty
Petty
46 Modular Construction and Twists David Petty
47 ABC of Origami Eric Kenneway
48 Making Faces David Petty
49 World of Fred Rohm I Pete Ford
50 World of Fred Rohm II Pete Ford
51 World of Fred Rohm III Pete Ford
52 Origami Models Folded from Rectangles John Morgam
53 Origami Models Folded from Silver Rectangles John Morgan
54 More Origami Models Folded from John Morgan
Silver Rectangles
55 Sink or Swim with Ted Normington Ted Normington
56 Petal Folds and More Ted Normington
57 Pureland 4 John S Smith
58 Owrigami Francis Ow
59 10 Pop-Ups John S Smith
60 A Medieval Court in Origami Julia Pálffy
61 Decorative Boxes from Single Squares Arnold Tubis & Leon Brown
62 Animals and Birds Tony O’Hare
63 Ship-shape and Bristol Fashion Tony O’Hare
64 Faces’n’Fings Tony O’Hare
65 Planar Modulars (CDRom) David Petty
66 The Nativity
Nativity - An Origami Scene
Scene Lore Schirokauer
Schirokauer
67 Quentin Trollip - Selected Works Quentin Trollip
68 Which Came First Bob Neale
69 3D Masks and Busts Eric Joisel
70 Phillip Shen: More Geometric Paper folds Boaz Shuval
92 My Fundamentals Kuni Kasahara
Occasional Booklets
Other Booklets
Flower Basket
Flower basket Flower
FlowerDish
dish Hexagonal Container
Hexagonal Container Icosahedral Bowl
Icosahedral bowl
Page1820
page Page
page22
20 Page 2422
page Page
page 26
24
Modification of the
Modification of Pentagonal Flower Petal Dish Rose Dish
Chinese vase Pentagonal flower Petal dish Rose dish
Chinese Vase Page 32 Page 34 Page 36
page 27 page 30 page 32 page 34
Page 29
Waterbomb
Shen’s Waterbomb Lock
Lock Snowflower
Snowflower Star
Star Box
Box Triangular Dish
Triangular dish
page 40
Page 38 page 42
Page 40 page 44
Page 42 page
Page4345
47