Vivid Korea: A Coloring Book of Costumes and Masks

Author: Carl Williams)

Description

The Art of Korean Tradition: A Coloring Journey Through Costumes and Masks invites readers to explore Korea’s rich cultural heritage through its iconic costumes and traditional masks. This adult coloring book provides a detailed look at the hanbok—Korea's graceful and vibrant traditional attire—and the captivating masks used in Korean dance dramas, such as Talchum.

The hanbok, characterized by its flowing lines and radiant colors, has been worn for centuries and remains a symbol of Korean elegance and aesthetics. With each page, colorists can bring to life the intricate beauty of the hanbok, from the luxurious silk chima skirts and jeogori blouses for women to the loose-fitting baji trousers and jeogori for men. These designs reveal hanboks' visual and cultural nuances, where colors, fabrics, and patterns often signify the wearer's social status, the season, or the occasion, adding depth to traditional Korean festivals and ceremonies.

In contrast, the Tal masks—used in Korean mask dance dramas—capture the dramatic expressions of characters from jesters to aristocrats. These masks, carved from lightweight alder wood and painted in vibrant colors, have a significant cultural role, blending shamanistic rituals, social satire, and entertainment. Through this coloring journey, readers can appreciate the artistic complexity of each mask, which stands as a testament to Korea's ancestral craftsmanship and societal reflections.

Designed for Korean culture and coloring enthusiasts, The Art of Korean Tradition is a tribute to the elegance and expressive power of Korea's heritage. Each illustration invites readers to experience the beauty of Korean traditions, creating frame-worthy art that celebrates the legacy of Korean costumes and masks.