Today I practiced sketchup modeling of traditional Korean accessories. The Seoan desk was an excellent example with its distinctively curved legs. The key challenge in 3D modeling is handling these curves effectively.
In the 3D space, I needed to first create a 2D drawing and then add height to it. For the curved legs, I used the 2-point arc tool.
For creating the semicircular drawer pull, here’s the technique:
create a circle, use the push tool to raise it, then gradually reduce the scale using the ‘s’ tool.
The proportions I used were 0.8 -> 0.75 -> 0.5 -> 0.1, which resulted in a smooth hemisphere. Afterwards, I applied the smooth edges function with a value of 38 to achieve a polished finish.
Seoan (書案), a traditional desk used during the Joseon Dynasty of Korea.
Seoan was a low desk used for reading books and writing during the Joseon period of Korea. Physically, it has low heights of approximately 20-30 cm with flat structure, usually rectangular shape.
The Seoan represents both the spirit and practicality of Joseon Dynasty culture. It continues to be reproduced as traditional furniture today and is considered an important artifact for understanding Korea’s traditional study culture.
The Seoan is valued not just as a piece of furniture, but as a symbol of the Joseon Dynasty’s emphasis on scholarship. Modern artisans still create versions of this desk, often adapting it for contemporary use while maintaining its traditional principles.
Leave a Reply