Joisel's Hedgehog

Wet-folding is an origami technique developed by Akira Yoshizawa in which the paper is lightly dampened before shaping, allowing it to be sculpted into smooth, rounded curves that hold their form when dry. Eric Joisel used wet-folding for his Hedgehog to achieve the naturalistic, three-dimensional body and curved posture that give the model its lifelike appearance.

Joisel's Hedgehog is folded from a single sheet of square paper, following the traditional one-sheet principle of origami without any cutting or gluing. The spines, the rounded body, and the facial details are all derived through folding and shaping techniques from that one sheet.

Eric Joisel (1956–2010) was a French origami artist renowned for his highly sculptural, naturalistic models that pushed the boundaries of what could be achieved from a single sheet of paper. His works, including the Hedgehog, are considered masterpieces of the art form and are studied by origami practitioners worldwide.

Joisel's Hedgehog is considered an advanced to highly complex origami model, requiring experience with wet-folding, precise shaping, and an understanding of three-dimensional sculptural form. It is not recommended for beginners, and many folders study Joisel's crease patterns and diagrams extensively before attempting the model.