The Origami Forum

Did anybody of you ever tried to fold some of Neil Elias Models? I have lots of hand drawn diagrams and folded some of them in the last days.
these "i tell you only the half"-diagrams are not easy to follow, but he made so many really good looking models that I can hardly withstand the drive to fold them. sadly I failed in most models I tried because of the lack of details.

any opinions on this?

The problem with the Neal Elias models is that they're not nice, clean geometric folds, particularly the faces. It's very subjective, and you often have to decide, based on the locations of previous folds, where to put the next fold. Unfortunately, there's no neat formula which can tell you where to put eyes and noses so you get a nice, aesthetic face.

If you use foil for those models though, it becomes easier, since you can replace many of the marked folds with the generic "scrunch" fold.

If you haven't got it already, order "Neal Elias 1964-1973" from BOS supplies. (It was reissued last year after being out of print for a while.)
It contains fairly detailed diagrams for about a dozen of Neal's models, drawn by Dave Venables. The contents are listed on Gilad's website.
After working through a few of the models in this booklet, Neal's rough sketches may be easier to decipher.

I still find them quite tough in places. Steps 6 and 7 of the "Boy on Motorscooter" from "Neal Elias Miscellaneous Folds II" have mistakes, and it took me nearly half an hour to work out how to release the trapped knees in step 9 of "Man on Chair II" from the same book. (It involves some box-pleating moves on hidden layers; it can actually be done cleanly.)

hmm... I have "only" the three available Elias Booklets (miscellaneous folds 1+2 + faces & busts).
can you tell me the webpage, where I can get this book?

TheRealChris wrote:hmm... I have "only" the three available Elias Booklets (miscellaneous folds 1+2 + faces & busts).
can you tell me the webpage, where I can get this book?

I got it from BOS supplies. It's not in any of the lists of booklets on the BOS webpage, but it is on the actual online order form, under the name "Venables: Neal Elias: Selected Works 1964 - 1973."

I quote Paul Jackson from the O-List:

On the BOS List http://uk.groups.yahoo.com/group/BOSmail a couple of days
ago, Edwin Corrie reported that he had read about the passing away on
September 21st of Neal Elias, as reported in a magicians' on-line forum. He
was 84 and had recently suffered a series of strokes.

Unless my O-List daily digest is unaccountably missing this topic thread, an
important -- and sad -- item of news has gone unreported here and I feel
duty-bound to cross-report Edwin's posting for the information of the wider
origami community on this List.

Does anyone have any more information for us?

Paul Jackson

danke Anna, ich kann es kaum fassen, daß ein zweiter Meister in diesem Jahr von uns gegangen ist

thanks Anna, I can't belive, that a second master passed away this year


Christian

"The last waltz" of his is still the most beautiful and graceful model amid all my foldings.

hello everyone - My name is Michelle and I am the granddaughter of Neal Elias - if you would like to post a message in the guestbook for him please contact me at Scotnboo@hotmail.com - we are putting together a book for my grandma about his life. I have always been proud to say that he was my grandfather - but untill his death we never realized the influence that he had in the origami community. THanks everyone.! Michelle

Hi there,

Just wanted to let everyone know there's a video available on "The Last Waltz" now:

http://www.happyfolding.com/instruction ... last_waltz or directly at YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p ... 45C27646BC

Happy folding,

-- Sara

WoW! Sara, I can't believe you made a video on the Last Waltz! That's like, totally unexpected!

Good work, Sara!
I've only watched the first of the 5 but it looks to be a good demonstration.
I'll watch the rest tomorrow and may try making the model myself.

Sara, Please make video of Llopio's Momenth of Truth - Neal Elias