Introduction: Geometric Rainbow Salmon Painted Paper Sculpture

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This project is to make a multi-segment salmon fish. Each paper segment can be assembled and painted before final assembly. Final assembly involves bending a wire frame that supports the paper segments. The paper segments are attached to the wire frame with tape. This design for a fish took a ton of design and calculations. I used wire to hold together the fish so I could pose the tail. You could make the fish straight by statically gluing the three segments directly together; I designed it so that would work as well. This might look better on a shelf.

Supplies

  • Paint
  • Paintbrushes
  • Some thicker than average paper
  • Wire
  • Pliers
  • Tape
  • Scissors
  • Printer

Step 1: Print the Paper Pieces

Print the above sheet.

Step 2: Cut the Paper Pieces

Cut out the shapes from the printed sheet. On the largest piece, three shapes are radiating from the center point: a triangle and two trapezoids. The spaces between the first set of trapezoids should not be cut out. Those are flaps to connect the trapezoids to each other.

Step 3: Tape the Paper Pieces

Fold the pieces that need folding. The black printed lines should be hidden on the inside. Use tape or glue to attach the flaps. The final pieces should resemble the photo.

Step 4: Paint the Pieces

You will need the above paints. Yellow or gold colored paint is optional. This is the design of the fish I came up with. You can paint any kind of fish you like. Keep the coloring consistent with the other two pentagonal pieces.

Step 5: Bend the Wire

Bend the wire into a pentagon shape that will fit into the largest section of the fish. Decide how far away you want the second segment to be from the first. At that point, Make a squiggly bit of the wire that is as wide as the second segment and is parallel to the first pentagon. Tape the second segment to the face of this squiggly shape. Take the last segment, and line the colors up with the rest. Poke a hole in the center, and another hole up or down from that one. Take the loose end of wire and thread it through the first hole, then turn it back and thread it through the second. This will keep that segment lined up and provide space at the end for the fin.

Step 6: Add the Segments

Tape the pentagon of wire to the inside of the big segment. The squiggly part of the wire should hold the second and the loop of the end should hold the third segment. The flat face formed at the very end will hold the fin.

Step 7: Add the Fins

Once you tape or glue the fins in the proper positions, this salmon is complete!