Sketches at the Jeongdong observatory

a panoramic view of Seoul from the Jeongdong Observatory, 

pencil and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

a scene around Seoul Anglican Cathedral (대한성공회 서울교구), 

pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

Seoul City Hall and surrounding buildings, pencil, (36 x 51cm)

inside view of the Jeongdong Observatory, pen and watercolor, (30 x 42cm)

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Yesterday, the weather was a bit cold and the first snow fell from dawn. The sudden sketch meetup was planned abruptly. When I went out of home it kept snowing. On the way going there the bus didn't move for long. There seemed to be a minor collision by slippery road. I arrived at the main gate of Deoksugung before 10:30 am but I couldn't find anybody looking like sketcher. I waited for somebody to join till 11am. It was so cold that I couldn't be there any more and moved to the Seoul city hall annexed building located at Seosomun near the palace. At the Jeongdong observatory (정동전망대) on 13th floor I took a seat and sketched four works. Though I couldn't meet Nick or any sketcher I could concentrate on studying and capturing the changing scenes from snow-covered roofs to shining planes. The place became to be one of attractions in Seoul. So many visitors such as tourists, citizens, and students with their teachers came and was surprised by the beautiful scenery. Snow and cold weather tested me with a difficult challenge. But I felt so happy for finishing the sketching with four sketches. It was a good "Special Experience Day" to me.
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하필이면 첫눈과 진눈깨비, 폭설의 번개스케치날
약속되었던 Nick도, 스케쳐 한사람도 보이지 않았습니다.
빙판길 야외는 포기하고 혼자서 정동전망대 13층에 올라
한자리에서 뜨지않고 창너머 같은 장면을 다른 구도와 시각으로
삼매경에 취해 그린 "특별한 경험의 날"이었습니다.
백날 그려도 항상 새롭게 보이는 명당입니다~~

Sketching meetup with Nancy Ho from Canada

Sketch by Nancy Ho at Pai Chai HakDang

Nancy Ho(left) sketching with Seoul Urban Sketchers

I've done this one inside the Dunkin Donuts shop waiting for the sketchers to arrive at.

pen, pastels, A 4

Deoksugung Palace is not big but makes attractive scenes with modern buildings surrounding it. I could see newer scenery though I visited there so many times. 

buildings in Deoksugung Palace, charcoal, pastels, A 4

I tried charcoal to express the volume of big gate and roof seen through the empty space of open doors. I used yellow color of pastel in Chinese characters on signboard.

30 x 42.5 cm (A3)

When I sat on bench in front of fountain a photographer was taking picture. I captured his pose rapidly with brush pen and added pastels. Movement of human in motionless old architecture gave fresh feelings. But the scenery varied by light, breeze, shadow...

brush pen, water soluble color pencils, A 3

I sat beside the Pai Chai HakDang building looking at the Daycare center of Seoul City Hall. The building looks different according to the capturing spot. I drew it several times before. Red brick color looked harmonious with the Pai Chai HakDang. 

brush pen, watercolor, A 3

Pai Chai HakDang

It was really fine day. Because it was an ordinary day the palace was not crowded with visitors so we could enjoy the beautiful weather and architectural scenery. After having lunch we moved to nearby educational building consisted with old memorable building and contemporary one. We gathered to sketch with Nancy Ho. She thanked for the moments of sketching and sharing. Of course we enjoyed the meeting too. Wish her to keep traveling and sketching all the countries! 

오늘 좋은 날씨에 조용한 고궁과 배재학당 관장에서 낸시 호님과 즐거운 스케치 시간을 가졌습니다. 평양 여행 이야기도 잠깐 들을 수 있어서 좋았습니다. 시종 스케치를 즐기는 모습에서 진정한 스케쳐라는 생각을 하였구요. 남은 체류기간에 알찬 여행을 하기를 바랬습니다.

참석하신 분들 : Nancy Ho, 이용환, 한정선, 백경원, 유병화, 이충근, 최정은, 김조묘, 최덕희, 조은비, 정효선, 김채은

감사합니다!