Animal origami enthusiasts may find that making a somewhat abstract representation of an animal is a bit easier to do when starting out than struggling to create frogs that hop or birds with flapping wings. The origami hen is a simple animal figure that novice folders can master in the beginning of their origami tutelage. You can use origami techniques to make birds that go beyond the paper crane to include owls, pelicans, eagles or swans. Fish and other water creatures aren't left out either, as you can construct sea lions, turtles, whales and frogs into origami figures.

The bird base is used in conjunction with other animal origami bases to create a wide variety of winged creatures. Of all the birds created with origami, the crane is probably the most well known. However, bluebirds and even dragons are popular figures that can be made using the bird base. Although it is called the bird base, it does not mean that only origami birds can be created from it, as other animals as well as decorative figures and gifts use the bird base as a starting point.

Here's how to make a dog utilizing this Japanese art form. First, you will start with a square piece of paper. If it's colored, put the colored side face down on the work surface and then fold along the diagonal to create a triangle. Next you will bring the corners together to fold the paper in half, and then unfold it. This step creates a crease. Now you’ll place the paper so that two points are at the top and one point is facing down. To make the dog's ears, you’ll turn down each of the two top points, utilizing the center crease line as a guide. Finally, you will fold the top and bottom of the dog's head away from you.

This is a very basic piece of origami. Many children who make this enjoy gluing googly eyes on it as well as drawing a mouth and nose to make it more realistic and individualized. For a good selection of interesting origami critters and more, visit the website of Robert J. Lang, at www.langorigami.com.

Just like when constructing other origami figures, animal origami needs to have carefully aligned edges with crisp creases. Animals have become popular to build when learning origami. They can even be a part of a "scene" with a larger collection or given as a precious gift. Be sure to display the figures you create on a mantel or shelf so that your children or visitors can delight in your creative skills.

Origami paper folding is an ancient Japanese art. But for many people today, learning how to make origami is still a highly enjoyable pastime.