Kirigami Insects: Rhinoceros Beetle and Stag Beetle
Introduction: Kirigami Insects: Rhinoceros Beetle and Stag Beetle
In this Instructable I will show you how I make kirigami models of the rhinoceros beetle and the stag beetle. What is kirigami? It is a combination of papercraft cuts and origami folds. For more information on kirigami or beetles check out the resource section for suggested sites and books. I have separated this Instructable into several sections:
* Rhinoceros Beetle Body
* Rhinoceros Beetle Legs
* Stag Beetle Body
* Stag Beetle Legs
* Display Box Construction
* Display Ideas
* Resources
Feel free to complete each section in whatever order you find work best for you. I do suggest doing the Body sections before completing the Leg steps.
Happy Crafting.
Supplies
Materials
* Cardboard
* Craft Glue
* Construction Paper
* Hot Glue Sticks
* Decorative Paper (optional)
* Mod Podge or Watered Down Craft Glue
Tools
* Hot Glue Gun
* Pencil
* Pen
* Markers
* Paint Brush
* Hobby Knife
* Ruler
* Cutting Mat or Board
* Template (optional)
* Download here: PDF
Step 1: Rhinoceros Beetle Body
Note: I made a template you can download from the Supplies section if you would rather not free hand your kirigami rhinoceros beetle. Skip the Free Hand Steps if you wish to use the template.
Free Hand Steps:
1. Google search Rhinoceros Beetle. Scroll down and select the View in 3D option. Once the model loads rotate the beetle to a top down view.
2. Take a piece of construction paper and fold it in half long ways.
3. Sketch half the beetle abdomen along the paper's fold. See picture 12 for a diagram.
4. At the top of the abdomen draw a 5mm box attached to it. Draw a line through the center of the box.
5. Sketch half of the thorax above the box along the paper's fold. See picture 12 for a diagram.
6. Sketch a smaller horn attached to the thorax.
7. Draw a box around the small horn. This will fold into the head later. See picture 12 for a diagram.
8. Sketch the large horn attached to the box housing the smaller horn.
9. Using the hobby knife cut out the outline of the beetle sketch.
10. Use the hobby knife to cut around the smaller horn. Do not cut along the line attaching the small horn to the thorax. See image 11 for an example.
11. 6
Unfold the beetle cutout and have the non-pencil side facing you with its horn facing up.
12. Fold the abdomen up along the box's center line. The box you ar folding is the one attaching the abdomen with the thorax.
13. Fold abdomen down along the attached box's outer line.
14. Fold the thorax back along the box's outer line attached to it.
15. Unfold the thorax and you should have a valley fold where the abdomen meets the thorax.
16. Flip the beetle model over so the pencil side faces you.
17. Place to small dots next to the valley fold side closest to the thorax.
18. Fold down the valley fold into the glue. Place the ruler on top of this new fold until the glue sets.
19. Fold the large horn down towards the abdomen so it stands straight up.
20. Fold the large horn in half to form the head of the beetle.
21. Lightly fold the box until the horn points forward away from the thorax.
22. Flip the beetle so the non pencil side faces you.
23. Fold the beetle in half and fold down the larger horn front edges.
24. Let the paper naturally unfold and you have completed the body of the rhinoceros beetle.
Template Steps (skip if you are free handing your kirigami beetle)
1. Take a piece of construction paper and fold it in half long ways.
2. Print and cut out the R-Beetle Body template.
3. Trace the template along the papers fold. Maker sure to include the boxes and small horn.
4. Using the hobby knife cut out the outline of the beetle sketch.
5. Use the hobby knife to cut around the smaller horn. Do not cut along the line attaching the small horn to the thorax. See image 11 for an example.
6. Unfold the beetle cutout and have the non-pencil side facing you with its horn facing up.
7. Fold the abdomen up along the box's center line. 879