Sharks are having a moment in origami, and this one is a great place to start if you have never tried one. The clever twist is that the shark grows out of a bird base — the same foundation used for swans and cranes — which gives it a smooth, streamlined body without any fancy or difficult moves.

That means the real work is just the first few steps: two squash folds and one petal fold bring the paper to the bird base, and everything after that is pure shaping. Fold it in grey-blue for a great white, in sleek black for a deep-sea hunter, or in bright teal for something playful. It makes a lovely little gift for anyone who loves the ocean, and it is one of those models you will find yourself folding again just for fun.

These instructions show you how to make an easy origami shark that is actually folded from a bird base. If you are new to paper folding, it helps to be comfortable with a squash fold and a petal fold first — this model uses both on its way to the bird base.

STEP 1. Fold the paper in half.

STEP 2. Fold the paper in half.

STEP 3. Open the paper over to the right.

STEP 4. Squash fold the paper flat.

STEP 5. Turn the paper over.

STEP 6. Open the paper over to the left and squash fold it flat.

STEP 7. Fold the sides in to the centre and then unfold them. Then fold the top down along the dotted line and unfold that too.

STEP 8. Open up the top layer of paper along the crease at the top.

STEP 9. Push in the sides along the existing creases, make a petal fold and push everything flat.

STEP 10. Turn the paper over.

STEP 11. Repeat steps 7–9 on this side to make another petal fold. The result will be a bird base.

STEP 12. Fold the top flap down, making a pleat along the dotted lines.

STEP 13. Fold the top flap of paper on the right over to the left.

STEP 14. Make a pleat fold along the diagonal dotted lines.

STEP 15. Fold the flap of paper on the back of the left side over to the right.

STEP 16. Pull the long thin flap of paper out to the left.

STEP 17. Fold all layers of the paper in half over to the left.

STEP 18. Rotate the paper about 90 degrees.

STEP 19. Make an outside reverse fold along the dotted line.

The complete shark!