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~~

some sketches around Seoul City Hall

 Seoul City Hall and Seoul Metropolitan Library

Seoul City Hall Seosomun Building (Jeong-dong Observatory on the 13th floor)

a panoramic view of Seoul from the Jeong-dong Observatory

Junghwajeon(중화전) at Deoksugung Palace

a scenery around Seoul Anglican Cathedral (대한 성공회 서울교구)

Newspaper publishing companies around Seoul City Hall

a scene looking at Namsan mountain

a scene around Kyunghyang Shinmun Newspaper Building(경향신문사)

inside view of the Jeong-dong Observatory

a panoramic view through the window

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( pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm sketchbook )

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In the year-end holydays, I visited the Jeong-dong Observatory (정동 전망대)on the 13th floor of Seoul City Hall Seosomun Annex Building (서소문 청사), just across the street from Deoksugung Palace(덕수궁). The Observatory itself is rather modest in appearance: just a few chairs, coffee and refreshments and a photographic display of historical landmarks on the walls. The real attraction is outside: the panoramic views spanning from Seoul City Hall to the Ganghwamun Area and beyond, including Inwangsan and Bukhansan, moreover, Namsan mountain. The panoramic views of numerous buildings also reflect the history of Seoul. Many visitors enjoyed the beautiful landscapes and various forms of architecture at Deoksugung Palace and neighboring areas around Seoul City Hall.

I sketched the various compositions from the fantastic panoramas through the window, moving here and there all around the building.

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연말연시 이틀간, 덕수궁 돌담길 따라 서울시 청사 서소문 별관 13층의 정동 전망대를 찾았습니다. 시청 주변의 도심 스케치를 많이 했지만, 고층 실내에서 창밖을 시원하게 내려다보며 파노라마를 그리면서 느낀 점은~~ 시청과 덕수궁, 정동의 조선시대와 근대를 넘어 현대를 잇는 공존의 공간을 한 눈으로 체험하며 다양한 스케치를 날씨에 구애받지 않고 그릴 수 있는 훌륭한 장소라는 것이었습니다.

an old fashioned village in downtown Seoul

Recently, I visited Migeun-dong(미근동) several times,which is an old village and located in Seodaemun-gu(서대문구) near downtown Seoul. There are lots of old fashioned buildings built near by the side of railway on the Gyeongui Line over which Seosomun Overpass is crossing.The habitability of housing, including old Seosomun Apartment, is not so satisfied owing to the some noise and inconvenient environment. Nevertheless, the unique and lively sceneries of the village, which is scheduled for regeneration within the near future, are so colorful and somehow attractive for sketching. I drew some disordered but interesting sceneries around the old fashioned hidden village.

a scene of the village along the street

Seosomun Apartment(서소문 아파트), one of the oldest ones in Seoul

a scene viewed from the railroad crossing(서소문 건널목)

another scene viewed from the railroad crossing

a scene looking at Seosomun Overpass(서소문 고가)

the National Policy Agency(경찰청), a landmark at Migeun-dong

buildings around Migeun-dong including Gyeongui Line(경의선)

an old restaurant

a snack stall and a shoe repair shop

a narrow alley passing through Seosomun Apartment 

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( pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm )

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서소문과 서대문,충정로를 잇는 철길 주변의 오래된 동네 ,

해방 이전과 경제개발 시대의 잔상이 곳곳에 남아있습니다.

도심 빌딩의 틈사이로 비치는 그늘진 뒤안길 속을 헤치며

생생한 모습을 그리다 보면 왠지 이국적 느낌에 젖어듭니다.