Unleashing the Cannons: Pokémon #009 – Blastoise
Hi everyone!
It is time to complete our first iconic starter trio! I am absolutely thrilled to share the final evolution of this line for my 151 Pokémon Book Folding Challenge: #009, the heavy-hitting Water-type powerhouse, Blastoise!
After tackling the Squirtle Squad and the clean lines of Wartortle, I was so ready to dive into this massive, detailed final form.
Meeting Blastoise
Blastoise is the imposing final evolution of Squirtle, and an absolute nostalgic favourite for anyone who started their Pokémon journey with the Water-type. Known as the Shellfish Pokémon, its most famous features are those massive, pressurised water cannons protruding from its heavy shell. It is a symbol of absolute power in the early games, and I knew the design had to capture the sheer force and rushing water that surrounds this Pokémon when it is in action.
The Build: Tabs and Rushing Water
To bring this powerhouse to life, I used my trusty scissors for a standard cut and fold with a 180 fold.
Because I wanted to capture the dynamic action of Blastoise using its water attacks, the design featured a huge amount of lines. As you can see with the ripples pooling at the base and the massive splashes erupting from behind the cannons, lots of lines in book folding translates directly to creating lots of small tabs. This was essential to perfectly capture the texture and movement of the water.
To ensure all of those intricate, tiny tabs stood out clearly, I inserted black card stock directly into the folds. The stark contrast of the black and white really makes the fine details of the water effects and Blastoise’s heavy features pop right off the page.
Smooth Sailing
Given how many small tabs and intricate cuts were involved in rendering the water splashes, you might expect this build to be a bit of a headache. But honestly, it was an absolute joy to do!
There were no real obstacles or difficulties at all during the fold. Getting into the rhythm of those small, precise cuts was incredibly satisfying, and it was smooth sailing from start to finish.
The Final Result
I am incredibly happy with how this one turned out. The bold lines and dynamic splashes make it such a striking piece. Blastoise looks absolutely amazing sitting proudly on the shelf next to Squirtle and Wartortle. There is something so satisfying about looking at a fully completed evolution line!
On to the next challenge: #010, Caterpie!
