Of all my action models, this one is probably the most literal—the lips are very representational, the action is accurate, and the color change makes the design instantly recognizable. It is also quite difficult to make well because the key folds are difficult to locate. But despite my stylistic reservations, the action is very effective...and that’s the most important thing about an origami toy.
Begin with a square of origami paper (red for preference), color side up.
1. Fold and unfold corner to corner, but crease only where shown, a little above and to the right of the center point of the paper.
2. Fold dot to dot, but pinching only at the right-hand edge of the paper. Note how the crease would continue to the bottom left-hand corner of the square. Steps 1–2 are a minimal version of a common starting point for many models, such as Steps 1–2 of the Barking Dog 1.
3. Fold the top right-hand corner to the Step 2 pinch.
4. Unfold the paper.
5. With scissors or a knife, cut off the small rectangle.
6. The larger rectangle is now in the proportion 1:√2, which is the same as European A4 paper. But since A4 paper rarely comes with two colors on the two sides, it is often necessary to make it from a square of origami paper.
7. Turn the paper vertically and then fold in half, as shown.
8. Fold the top layer of the paper as shown. The fold is located in the center of the paper, a little longer than a third of the width of the paper. Repeat behind.
9. Add two valley folds that connect the ends of the fold with a point about a quarter of the way up the side of the paper. Repeat behind.
10. Fold dot to dot. Repeat behind.
11. Again fold dot to dot. Repeat behind.
12. Unfold the center line, swinging the rear layer down from behind.
13. Round off the corners with mountain folds.
14. Make three folds on the top lip in the shape of a V.
15. Shape the flat paper to become 3-D. To do this, make mountain folds around the inside edges of both lips, so that both lips can bend backward. Make a valley fold across the center of the paper. Close the mouth by folding dot to dot, left and right.
16. Hold as shown. By moving your hands gently back and forth, the lips will open and close in a surprisingly realistic manner! Pardon, what did you say?
