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Mastering AgyoPosu: The Art and Science of Preparing Hanji

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  Chapter 1: “The Foundation of Paper Sizing: Exploring AgyoPosu in Korean Art” Throughout history, paper has been one of the most popular surfaces for painting in both Eastern and Western art. In particular, East Asian art frequently utilizes paper for its unique absorbency, which lends a soft, fluid quality to ink and pigments. Among the many ways to treat and prepare paper, AgyoPosu, or animal glue sizing, stands out as the most effective technique to control paper’s absorbent properties. In this series, we’ll explore AgyoPosu’s role in traditional Korean painting, focusing first on understanding why and how we treat paper to adjust its absorbency. In Korea, hanji—a paper made from the fibers of the mulberry tree—has long been favored for painting and calligraphy. In the West, paper made from wood pulp is more common. Both types of paper are organic and naturally absorbent, as they’re made from plant fibers that attract water. While this absorbency can sometimes pose challenges,...
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A Journey Through Materials and Techniques

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  The Foundation of Korean Painting Imagine an artist in ancient Korea, carefully selecting each material that would bring their vision to life. In traditional Korean painting, three essential components form the backbone of any artwork: the base material (foundation), the coloring agents (pigments and dyes), and the binder (glue). These elements were not just tools but the very soul of the painting process. Mastering their properties and understanding how to handle them was crucial for creating high-quality artwork that could withstand the test of time. For centuries, pigments in Korean painting were sourced from the natural world—minerals and organic materials found in the earth and among plants and animals. Inorganic pigments were extracted from minerals, giving the artwork a raw, earthy quality, while organic pigments brought the vibrancy of living nature into the painting. This connection to nature was more than just practical; it was deeply spiritual, with each brushstroke ca...
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Hanji: Korea's Amazing 1000-Year Paper

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Have you ever heard of Hanji? It's a special kind of paper from Korea, made from mulberry trees, and it's known for being super strong and lasting a really long time—like, over a thousand years! How is Hanji Made? Hanji is crafted using fibers from the bark of mulberry trees. These fibers are really long and tough, which helps make the paper strong. Artisans clean these fibers carefully, then beat them to make a pulp. This pulp is spread out on bamboo frames and shaken by hand to weave the fibers together in a crisscross pattern. This special technique is what gives Hanji its incredible durability. Why Does Hanji Last So Long? A few cool reasons make Hanji super durable: - It's almost pH neutral: This means Hanji doesn't break down as easily as other papers that might be acidic. - Resists bugs and water: Special treatments help make Hanji resistant to bugs and water, helping it to last through the ages. - Careful storage: Historically, people used Hanji for important th...
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The Colorful World of Minhwa: The Art of the Korean People

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  Painting of Birds and Flowers, 19th Century Set of 8, Color on Paper, 90.4 x 37.2 cm. Gallery Hyundai Imagine stepping into a world where tigers grin mischievously, peonies bloom with unbridled joy, and ancient myths come to life on a canvas rich with color and meaning. This is the world of Minhwa—Korean folk art—a vibrant, whimsical, and deeply symbolic form of artistic expression that blossomed from the hearts and hands of the common people during the Joseon Dynasty. The Art of the People In the grand palaces of Korea, the elite were surrounded by meticulously crafted art, each brushstroke a testament to skill and sophistication. But outside these walls, in the villages and humble homes of everyday Koreans, a different kind of art was taking shape. This was Minhwa—literally "people's paintings"—created by anonymous artists who weren’t concerned with courtly approval or perfect technique. Instead, they painted from the soul, capturing the hopes, dreams, and beliefs of ...
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