an excavation site of an old house, Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

In front of Tongin building located at Insa-dong an excavation was undergoing when I was passing the street today. I sketched three pieces using pencil and pen. A young man who was noting the size of width, length and height of each stone in the site. Three men were removing earth from the stones very carefully. The Tongin company might have tried to explore the frontal area and found the old house foundation while digging. Cultural properties protection committee would supervise the excavation.

12 x 16 cm

heating stones in Korean traditional heating system and way of moving heated air

men cleaning the space between two rooms

exhibition placards at the frontal gate of the Tongin store building

people showing interest in the excavation site

Today I went to Insa-dong for visiting galleries including the one of Hwang Hwa Sook who was one of Seoul Urban Sketchers. She was having her first exhibition about so many cats on 3rd floor of Insa Art Center. I met her long since. And while I was walking the Insa street I saw people gathered taking photos. I sketched three pieces on small sketch pad. Sketching on the spot gave me nice chance of observation of something whether it's trifle or important. I spent precious time capturing the old house site where our ancestors had been living.

some buildings around Gwanhun-dong, Jongno-gu

Gwanhun-dong (관훈동) is known as a gateway to the Insadong-gil, the largest market for antiques and artworks in Korea. The area is bordered by Anguk-dong(안국동) and Songhyeon-dong(송현동)to the north, Gyeongun-dong(경운동)to the east, and Insa-dong(인사동) to the south, and Gyeonji-dong (견지동) to the west. There are numbers of galleries standing closely together like Insa-dong. I sketched some small galleries and other buildings on my way to Insa-dong occasionally.

Ara Art Center(아라아트센터), pen and watercolor,

Baegak Art Space(백악미술관), pencil and watercolor,

a building construction site near the galleries, pen and watercolor,

Bon Gallery(본 갤러리) at Gyeonji-dong, brush pen and watercolor,

Seoul Jungang Church(제7일안식교 서울중앙교회), pen and watercolor,

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( 14.8 x 21cm sketchbook ) 

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가끔 인사동 들를 때 지나가는 관훈동 골목에 모여있는 건물들은 작지만 독특하고 서로 다

른 느낌을 스케치에 담기에 좋은 소재들입니다.

two buildings overlap together

While passing by Insa-dong street, I came across an impressive scene two buildings harmonized united together. The small building is Chundogyo's Central Headquaters (천도교 중앙대교당) with brick built in Gothic and Baroque style, and another large one is Sueun Assembly House Building (수운회관) with concrete built in modern style architecture. Two historic buildings are well-matched together beautifully. So I took my seat in a good view point and sketched the harmonious scene carefully.

united composition with different buildings, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

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천도교 중앙대교당과 수운회관 건물은 같은 장소에 있으면서도
크기, 재료, 건축 양식, 배경, 상징성.....에서 전혀 다릅니다.
두 건물이 떨어져 있으면 서로 대비가 되는 좋은 소재이지만
겹쳐 그려도 조화를 이루는 컴포지션이 될 듯 합니다.

sketches at Jongno-gu, Seoul

roof top scenery of Ssamzie-gil building seen from the 5th floor of Insa Art Center, Insa-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul

pencil, watercolor, 21 x 14.5 cm

cafe building "Lime Tree" located at Gyeongun-dong next to the Jongno Police Station

pencil, 14.5 x 20.5 cm

a villa located at Gugi-dong

The villa looks like a castle. Waiting for a bus I caught the scene.

pencil, 20.5 x 14.5 cm

Walking Jongno-gu I could find lots of interesting scenes because the district has been the center of Seoul long since the Joseon dynasty (1392 - 1910). Palaces, museums, galleries, important government buildings...and lots of citizens, tourists are there. Especially at Insa-dong locate lots of souvenir shops and cafes. Restoration, redevelopment, and remodeling is undergoing here and there. Though I've been living in Jongno-gu for decades of years there are so many hidden places to me. I start to walk expecting to meet something new. 

종로는 그 긴 역사만큼이나 거리에 나서면 늘 새로운 장면을 만나게 됩니다. 종로에서 산지가 수십년되었지만 재건축, 리모델등으로 늘 새로운 장면을 만나게 됩니다. 관광객,시민이 즐겨찾는 인사동은 더더욱 활기가 넘치구요. 모처럼 버스로 지나치던 빌라를 스케치해보았습니다. 성처럼 생겨서 접근이 이려울 듯하지만 그림으로야 얼마든지 담을 수 있으니 그 또한 스케쳐가 갖는 특권이라고나 할수 있을 듯합니다.