Sketches at Dongdaemun Design Plaza and its surroundings

DDP and the surroundings viewed from the park, pencil and watercolor,

(36 x 51cm)

main approach way of DDP viewed from the Eoullim Plaza, 

pen and watercolor soluble pencil, (36 x 51cm)

street scene around Sinpyeonghwa Market viewed from Ogansugyo Bridge,

pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

Dongdaemun Shoes Market, pencil and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

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Last Saturday, for the 65th World Wide SketchCrawl event, Seoul sketches gathered to sketch on the Ogansugyo Bridge around the DDP(Dongdaemun Design Plaza).
It was a pleasant but rather chilly day. Although only a few members participated, the sketching subjects were always diverse and rich, so it was a good atmosphere for sketching. DDP is famous for its huge architecture as a new tourist attraction in downtown Seoul. Since I have often sketched here, all the scenes are familiar, but the colorful architecture of various scales and vibrant streets are always renew my mind.
I drew various commercial buildings around Cheonggyecheon in the morning. And after lunch, I sketched new scenes with the huge landmark DDP of Dongdaemun.
The area around Dongdaemun History & Culture Park, which contains the history of Seoul's life culture, is an excellent place to provide vivid scenes to Seoul sketches all the time. My posting is late because I traveled abroad right after this sketching event.
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동대문 주변의 생생한 열기는 사시사철 스케치의 열망을 불러오고
낯익은 곳이면서도 모든 요소가 맞물려 새롭게 보이는 매력적인 곳입니다.
DDP 스케치를 마치고 곧바로 해외여행을 다녀오느라 포스팅이 늦었습니다.

Sketches at the Latin American Cultural Center-Museum, Goyang City

panoramic view of the Latin American Cultural Center-Museum, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

inide the hall of the museum, pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

inside the religion exhibition hall, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

 Gaucho Argentino, traditional costumes, pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

museum and art gallery viewed from the entrance gate, pen and watercolor crayon, 

(20 x 30cm)

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Last Saturday, it was a fine autumn weather to sketch despite the typhoon forecast. Seoul urban sketches gathered at the Latin American Cultural Center-Museum in Goyang City nearby Seoul. Many visitors interested in foreign culture appreciated Latin American history, art, religion and customs, and other attractive works of exotic culture. The elegant red-brick buildings, museum, art gallery and religion exhibition hall combined with outdoor sculpture parks and Mayan murals to brighten the atmosphere of the cultural center.

While sketching the various forms of pretty and majestic buildings, the inside of the exhibition hall and traditional costumes, I thanked the founder of the Latin American Cultural Center. I'm lucky to be able to sketch as much as I like, experiencing various exotic cultures at the museum near where I live.

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원색, 토속 예술, 신앙과 풍습의 역사를 담은

신비스러운 중남미 문화원의 가을 스케치~ 

아담하면서 장엄한 붉은벽돌과 조화를 이루는

조각 공원의 예술품들과 마야벽화의 웅장함...

쉽게 오가기 어려운 이국 문화를 가까이 느끼며

맘껏 스케치할 장소를 설립하신 분께 감사드립니다~~

Sketches at National Museum of Korea, Yongsan, Seoul

National Museum of Korea building beyond Mirror Pond, pen and watercolor crayon, (29.6 x 42cm)

Dear Jazz Orchestra performance on the Open Plaza, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

  a quick sketch of the players of the orchestra, pencil, (29.6 x 42cm)

Buddhist Hanging Scroll at Magoksa Temple(마곡사 괘불), pen and watercolor, 

(21 x 29.6cm)

Iron Statue, Buddha(부처), pencil, (21 x 29.6cm)

exhibition room of donated works on the 2nd floor, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

main hall (Great Hall) of the museum, pen, (21 x 29.6cm)

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Last Saturday, it was a nice day to sketch. The National Museum of Korea (국립중앙박물관), located in Yongsan, was crowded with visitors who were interested in culture and art. We Seoul urban sketchers had several winter sketching events here. In the summer, the atmosphere of the museum was more lively than in the winter. The great museum is a large cultural facility in the Yongsan Family Park in central Seoul, and we can explore the history of art and enjoy culture regardless of weather conditions. The unique exhibition spaces in the magnificent building and numerous collections and cultural assets of various genres offer a lot of sketching subject. Various special exhibitions, weekend concerts, and harmonious elements of the surrounding landscape and museum buildings are colorful painting materials. Especially, the orchestra concert in the open plaza heightened the cultural festive mood.

I was touched by the craftsmanship of many artists and sketched several scenes that I had not previously painted. And I felt grateful to our ancestors, artists, architects, and citizens who share culture living in the present age. I was sorry that I couldn't draw all the materials, but I left the museum, taking the next chance.

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초여름 국립박물관 스케치는 열린마당 연주회를 곁들인 아름다운 문화 축제였습니다.
수천년 걸쳐 조상의 얼과 예술혼이 깃든 문화유산들~~
하나의 커다란 그릇에 담아 시대의 상징으로 태어난 대형건축물~~
보석같은 소재, 생생한 실물들을 마주보며 마음대로 스케치할 수있는 행운에 오로지 감사할 따름입니다.

Sketches at the Change Up Campus, former English Village,

Main gate of the Change Up Campus, Paju city, pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

Concert Hall, pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

 Street scene through the wall opening with round arch, pen and watercolor,
(21 x 29.6cm)

City Hall, pencil, (36 x 51cm)

Artistic Avenue in front of Concert Hall, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

 Scenery around Market Street, pen and watercolor crayon, (21 x 29.6cm)

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Last Saturday, the weather was sunny and clear in early summer and nice to sketch outdoors. I was so glad to meet at the fantastic venue because it was the same place where we had the 47th World Wide SketchCrawl in the English village of Paju 4 years ago. The Change Up Campus (체인지업캠퍼스) located in Paju has been upgrading its previous Gyeonggi English Village (경기영어마을) and reborn as a lifelong educational institution to provide opportunities for English education and foreign culture through various programs in the beautiful campus with exotic atmosphere. Entering the Castle-like entrance, lots of colourful scenes such as beautiful cafes, market street, artistic avenue, concert hall and city hall, various educational facilities, and other exotic buildings have revived the cute atmosphere of the campus. I sketched various architectural scenes of contrasting lighting and shadow from place to place on campus. Located not far from Seoul, the Change Up Campus of eco-friendly village, is a great place to sketch western-style classical architecture with pleasant natural scenery.

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지난 토요일, 초여름 날씨라 다소 더웠지만 스케치하기에는 좋았습니다. 4년전 파주의 영어마을에서 47회 스케치크롤 행사를 했던 바로 그 환상적인 장소라서 반가운 마음이었습니다. 체인지업 캠퍼스는 이전의 경기 영어마을을 업그레이드하여 이국적인 분위기 속의 아름다운 건축물들을 그대로 살려서 다양한 프로그램을 통한 영어교육과 외국문화의 체험 기회를 제공하는 평생교육기관으로 거듭났습니다.  캐슬 형태 입구에 들어서면 아름다운 카페들과 보행로, 콘서트 홀과 시청사, 각종 교육시설, 전시장, 연수관등 아담하고 이국적인 건물들과 다양한 이벤트들이 캠퍼스의 아기자기한 분위기를 살려주었습니다.  따스한 빛과 시원한 그림자가 어우러지는 캠퍼스의 이곳저곳을 돌면서 전에 그리지 못했던 다양한 장면들을 스케치하였습니다. 전체의 스케일과 아기자기한 디테일들, 각종 아름다운 장식들, 밝은 색조와 명도변화.... 서울에서 멀지않은 곳에 위치한 친환경마을 풍의 체인지업 캠퍼스는 서구식 스타일의 고전 건축과 쾌적한 자연 풍경을 스케치하는 더없이 좋은 장소였습니다~

Sketches at Insadong street, Seoul

Nakwon Musical Instrument Arcade viewed from south entrance of Insadong, 

pencil and watercolor, (38 x 55cm)

main street of Insadong Cultural District with crowded people, pen and watercolor, 

(27 x 41cm)

a street scene of Yulgok-ro viewed from north entrance of Insadong, pen and watercolor, (27 x 41cm)

Magic Performance in the Buk-insa madang (north entrance of Insadong), 

pen and watercolor, (38 x 55cm)

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Recently Korea Watercolor Association(since 1974) has been holding events of painting watercolor works outdoor on the spot once a year. 

Last Saturday, the 17th Korea Watercolor Academy Festival was held at Insadong where lots of tourists and citizens gather to enjoy shopping and dropping in galleries. The Office forbids traffic at Insadong street for the visitors to walk freely on weekends. 

Several regular members in KWA including myself were commissioned to produce works to be awarded for the prize winners out of 120 participants. I've done four pieces among which three were presented to the winners. Some members painted portrait or 

still life inside showing the process. But I chose to sketch outside to capture scenes here and there. While sketching lots of people surrounded me. Some curious spectators asked me to sign even. I felt excited too all the while sketching in busy street crowded with visitors. Above all as an urban sketcher I thought that the event was very meaningful at the point of putting focus on urban sketching in the downtown of Seoul compared to the previous events done in suburban countryside and seaports and traditional villages. 

I hoped many participants to open their eyes in urban sketching and enjoy it out of studios.

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지난 토요일, 4월20일 한국수채화협회(1974~)가 주최하는 제 17회 한국수채화 아카데미 축제가 전통문화의 거리 인사동에서 열렸습니다. 매년마다 현장에서 그날 그린 수채화를 심사하여 상을 주면서 격려하는 연례행사로 이날 120여명이 참여하였습니다.
인사동은 한국의 전통문화와 미술품을 즐길 수 있는 매력적인 관광명소로 유명하고 특히 인사동길은 주말에 차 없는 보행자의 구역으로 많은 전통행사가 열리는 곳으로 자유롭게 그림 그리기에 적합한 장소입니다. 저를 포함한 협회 임원들은 풍경, 인물, 정물수채화를 현장에서 그리는 작업을 시연하고, 그린 그림들을 입상자들에게 상으로 수여하는 역할을 맡았습니다. 저는 관광객과 방문객들으로 붐비는 인사동 주변의 거리와 빌딩 풍경을 여러 작품 그리면서 많은 사람들에게 현장 스케치의 장면을 보여주었습니다. 날씨도 좋았고 그림 열기에 가득찬 인사동길은 활발한 축제의 분위기였습니다.  저는 이날 4작품을 그려서 그중 3작품을 입상자들에게 시상하며 보람있는 시간을 가졌습니다.
무엇보다도 오래전부터 수채화 아카데미 행사를 열어왔던 교외나 항구, 전통마을들이 아닌 서울 도심 복판에서 어반 스케치를 하는 뜻깊은 날이었습니다. 많은 참여자들이 스튜디오를 벗어나 어반스케치를 새로운 시각으로 체험하는 즐거운 날이었기를 바랍니다!

Sketches at Gangbyeon Techno Mart, Seoul

Techno Mart building sketched at the sky garden outside the 9th floor of the building

in front of the box office of CGV movie theater on the 10th floor

open superstore of cellular phones and telephones on the 6th floor

a scene of open escalator hall sketched on the 6th floor

surrounding buildings viewed from the lounge on the 10th floor

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( pen and watercolor, 29.6 x 42cm sketchbook )

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Last Saturday was the day of usk Seoul's April meet up in pararelled with the 63rd World Wide SketchCrawl at Gangbyeon Techno Mart(강변 테크노마트). Coincidentally, that day I was scheduled to participate in Korea watercolor academy (한국수채화 아카데미) event, so I couldn't join in the usk Seoul' April meeting. Although I couldn't attend this important sketch meeting on the day, I went to the Techno Mart a few days earlier and made a sketch in advance.

Gangbyeon Techno Mart located at Guui-dong, Gwangjin-gu is known to be the biggest electronics depot in Korea. It is a large shopping mall that connects to other shopping and discount stores. In addition to all kinds of electronic products, Techno Mart is also well-known as a hot place of relaxation and enjoyment, such as Lifestyle & fashion shopping mall and wedding hall, various restaurants and Hangang Observatory at Haneul Park (하늘공원) on the 9th floor, CGV movie theater on the 10th floor, and so on. What's meaningful is, 3 years ago we had a good sketch time here as the 52th World Wide SketchCrawl. Impressed by the charming and beautiful scenery along the Han River and the crowded indoor atmosphere, I enjoyed sketching with new feelings and views going up and down in and out of the building.

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4월 20일 한국수채화협회 아카데미 시연행사가 겹쳐

저는 부득이 며칠 전에 미리 가서 스케치했습니다.

동참 못하고 따로 그렸지만 스케치의 느낌을 함께 합니다.

3년전 테크노마트의 52차 스케치크롤이 생생하게 떠오릅니다..

전자쇼핑몰과 다양한 즐길거리로 붐비는 실내 분위기...

매력적이고 아름다운 한강변 풍경을 펼치는 랜드마크...

접근성과 짧은 동선, 사통오달의 좋은 스케치 장소입니다~ 

Sketches at Yakhyeon Catholic Church, Jungnim-dong, Seoul

the distant view of the Yakhyeon Catholic Church from the main street, Chungpa-ro, 

pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

another main gate of the church viewed from the access road, Jungnim-ro, 

pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

 a statue of the Mother Maria and Baby Jesus, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

 the whole view of Yakhyeon Catholic Church seen from the courtyard, (24 x 32cm)

the filming crew of the SBS drama "Passionate priest"(열혈 사제) was busy shooting the acting scenes outside the church, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

Namdaemun Gate and surrounding buildings viewed from  Yakhyeon Observatory (약현전망대) located at prayer garden, pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm) 

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Yakhyeon Catholic Church(약현성당) is Korea's first Gothic style church located at Jungnim-dong (중림동) in downtown Seoul. The cathedral, with a history of more than 120 years and a representative shrine dedicated to martyrs, is situated at the top of a small hill surrounded by bustling streets and high-rise buildings.
This week, last Monday, we Seoul urban sketchers gathered to sketch in this church. The weather was a bit cold and dust, but suitable for sketching outdoors. I've sketched this place many times before, but the more I draw, the fresher I feel in the same place. The cathedral which contains historical meaning and architectural style, provides endless sketching materials in harmony with its surroundings. I enjoyed sketching various scenes that I didn't draw before from place to place around the beautiful cathedral.
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120여년의 역사와 건축사적 가치를 지닌 순교성지 약현성당..
서울 도심의 빌딩숲 사이로 빛나는 언덕위의 아담한 안식처
최초의 고딕 양식.. 붉은벽돌과 인상적인 첨탑의 단아한 모습
순교정신과 세월의 흔적이 담겨있는 낯익은 장소와 건축이지만
그릴 때마다 새롭게 주변환경과 조화를 이루어가는 스케치의 명소입니다.

Sketches at Geumsunsa Temple, Seoul

Monks and congregators starting the service in praying hall, pen and watercolor, 

(21 x 29.6cm)

Scene in the process of the rite, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

After the first(symbolical washing the late souls and making them to hear the Buddha's words) and second(paying respects and praying to Buddha) procedure the chief monk, Buban, thanked for the cooperation of the believers for the new painting and other projects in the temple. pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

The third step was undergoing. Participants prayed eternal peace in paradise of their ancestors, family members, friends or anonymous, nameless souls bowing and devoting with clean water. pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm) 

Another scene of the third step of the rite, pencil and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

The last step of the rites for the deceased. pencil and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

Yeonhwadang(연화당) in the temple for the deads. The burying tradition was changed into the cremation one. Families visit there from time to time missing them. pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

I sketched the scene of the cinerarium outdoor. pen and watercolor crayon, 

(29.6 x 42cm) 

Banyajeon(praying hall /반야전) where the service was held on, under which on first floor there are rooms for the temple stayers. pencil and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

Entering the temple people could meet the two story Bell tower building(범종루), 

pencil and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

Mokjeong cave(목정굴), a historical space for praying. The stone cave has been loved by people since the King Jeongjo(1752-1800) of Joseon dynasty, pen and watercolor, 

(29.6 x 42cm)

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Last Saturday, I visited Geumsunsa temple to join the Cheondo-jae(천도재) that is a ceremony offered for the deceased. 

 At the time of the founding of Joseon dynasty royal monk Muhak established this temple, Geumsunsa, nearly 600 years ago. The temple locates in Gugi-dong, Jongno-gu, in front of the beautiful Bukhan mountain not far from downtown Seoul. So some climbers drop in to take rest having lunch and noodle served by the temple on Sundays except cold days. 

In old days Korean people had been paying services for their ancestors on their anniversary annually and on the new year day and thanks giving day. Though it's symbolical for the descendants to spread foods and fruits on ceremonial table for their ancestors we've been remembering them through generations. These days some families substitute the service with paying mass or christian service. And the new generation changes the food or fruits according to the present popular ones. In the service the names of the late ones are set on table. The names written on paper are substituted with photos nowadays. 

On the wall over the painting lots of names are attached on a panel. At the last step the monks and congregators walk all around the praying hall together in a row and move to the furnace. We burn the names of the late souls wishing them to go to paradise. Participants bow praying their favorites' eternal peace. 

Hearing that there would be a special service for the late ancestors. I decided to participate in it and to draw the process. It was not easy to see the process in detail because I had to take seat back of the room not to hinder others. I could get several by others' generous understanding about sketching but I added watercolor at home. If I had known about the process well enough to capture more in detail other scenes would be drawn in different views. 

In spite of the difficulty of the environment for sketching it was worthy to be in the process of rite for parents and to draw at the same time.

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서울 도심 속 자연친화적인 600여년 사찰 금선사~
솔내음 가득한 북한산 정기와 청정샘 약수를 머금고
조상을 기리는 합동 천도재의 장엄한 예불과 함께
반야전, 극락전, 연화당, 범종각, 목정굴, 템플 스테이....
산세따라 흐르는 아기자기한 소재를 벗삼아 가는
심신수양과 더불어 스케치를 통한 힐링의 장소입니다.