I was also experimenting with making a four-point-split from the middle flap that forms the trunk to shape a mouth and tusks, but it wasn’t worth giving up so much of the cleanness and simplicity of the model only to add further detail. After finalizing the design for a commission, I usually work on the model for several more weeks to perfect the proportion and the folding in such a way that the model has the quality I desire.

At first I wet folded the elephants from 50x50 cm elephant hide (naturally) which works very well. But the model also looks pretty good folded from regular 30x30 cm printing paper. For exhibition quality renditions I wet fold very large sheets (114x114 cm) 185 gms of rough textured watercolor paper. Because I am not too concerned about sacrificing purism for aesthetics, I prefer to cut off the gray shaded areas of the CP, particularly when folding the model from heavyweight paper.

Besides its aesthetics and the almost completely closed body, what really makes this design are the dry tension locks. Because there are so many layers involved, you will need some practice to get the locks that keep the head, behind, and legs closed right. It is worth the effort, though, because they will keep the design in perfect shape for ages.

- Sipho Mabona
Switzerland