Get ready to fold some serious strength!
The gorilla is one of the most magnificent and powerful creatures on Earth. As the largest living primates, they are known for their intelligence, their massive shoulders, and their gentle, family-oriented nature.
In this tutorial, we are tackling an intermediate-level project. Unlike simple flat models, this Origami Gorilla is designed to stand on all fours in a classic “knuckle-walking” pose. It focuses on creating the illusion of bulk and a heavy brow ridge using a single sheet of paper.
This is a fantastic project for folders who have mastered the basics (like the crane or the frog) and are looking for a fun challenge. It’s perfect for jungle-themed decorations, school projects about primates, or just to prove you can tame this paper beast!
Grab a sheet of strong paper, and let’s head into the jungle.
🦍 Fun Facts: The Gentle Giants
While you are creasing your paper, ponder these powerful facts about gorillas:
- Unique Noseprints: Just like humans have unique fingerprints, every gorilla has a unique nose print! Scientists use photos of their noses to track individuals in the wild.
- Vegetarian Power: Despite their massive muscles and size, gorillas are almost exclusively herbivores. They get all that strength from eating leaves, stems, fruit, and bamboo shoots.
- The Silverback: A group of gorillas (called a troop) is led by a dominant adult male called a “Silverback,” named for the patch of silver hair on his back that develops when he matures.
What You Need
Because this model relies on looking “heavy” and standing up, the choice of paper is important.
- Paper: 1 sheet of square origami paper (at least 6×6 inches / 15×15 cm). Larger paper (8×8 inches) is actually easier for this model as the folds get thick.
- Color: Black or Dark Brown is best for realism.
- Texture: Paper that is slightly thicker than standard “Kami” (like construction paper cut to a square or Kraft paper) works very well, as it holds the heavy folds better and gives the gorilla a rugged texture.
- Bone Folder (Recommended): You will be folding through several layers of paper to create the shoulders, so a tool to help flatten creases is very helpful.
Instructions: The Origami Gorilla
Difficulty: IntermediateNote: Patience is key here. Focus on making sharp creases in the early steps to help with the thicker folds later on.
1.Start with a square piece of paper.
2.Fold and unfold
3.Fold the edges to the center.
4.Fold and unfold.
5.Fold to the center.
6.Pull out corners and squash.
7.Turn over.
8.Bisect angle.
9.Match up edges.
10.Fold.
11.Fold down about 1/3.
12.Crease angle bisector.
13.Fold both at once, allowing the arms to swing out from behind.
14.Fold the whole model in half.
15.Bisect angle.
16.Reverse fold.
17.Fold through endpoints. Repeat behind.
18.Fold to spine. Repeat behind.
19.Open the back half of the model along the spine.
20.Fold down.
21.Pull points out.
22.Fold feet at an angle.
23.Fold legs down.
24.Fold the model flat again.
25.Fold the hands so that they are on the same line as the feet.
26.Round the rear of the gorilla.
27.Finished!
How to Make It Look Real
- Crinkle It: Gorillas aren’t perfectly smooth! Once you finish folding, gently crumple the paper slightly in your hands and then reshape it. This gives the “fur” a great texture.
- The Eyes: Gorillas have deep-set eyes hidden under their brows. You don’t necessarily need to draw them, as the shadow from the brow fold usually creates the right look.
Conclusion
You did it! You’ve turned a flat piece of paper into the powerful King of the Jungle.
This model is a tough one because of the thick layers, so don’t be discouraged if your first attempt looks a bit messy. Like a young gorilla learning to climb, practice makes perfect.
