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

.

( 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 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)

.

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.

sketches at IKEA Goyang, Gyeonggi-do

the building facade of IKEA Goyang, pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

restaurant on the 2nd floor, pen and watercolor crayon, (29.6 x 42cm)

showroom on the 2nd floor, pen and watercolor crayon, (29.6 x 42cm)

home furnishing accessories on the 1st floor, pencil and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

entrance hall on the 1st floor, pen, (36 x 51cm)

a sketcher, Lee Kyu Young is absorbed in drawing, pencil, (29.6 x 42cm)

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Yesterday, we Seoul urban sketchers visited IKEA Goyang, situated at Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, close to Seoul. IKEA is Swedish home-furnishings chain store, and Goyang store is the second branch in Korea, which is projected to attract residents in the northern part of the province and more consumers in Seoul. The huge store sells furniture, accessories, and many kinds of stuffs that we need at home every day. 

It was a bit cold outdoors, so we gathered at the wide and comfortable restaurant on the 2nd floor and sketched the colorful interior scenes and some figure drawings. After lunch, despite the cold weather I went out of the building and sketched the facade of IKEA Goyang. Then I entered the huge home furnishing accessories on the 1st floor and sketched the large store scene with a high ceiling. I impressed the wide and long space of showroom, home furnishing accessory and huge amounts of products throughout the building. Lots of colorful displayed goods and bustling mall gave me unlimited subjects of sketches. I could draw colorful scenes of the huge shopping mall in the crowd of visitors. It also was very useful sketch time trying to draw various forms and movements on such a long and complicated space. 

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홈 퍼니싱의 모든 것, IKEA 쇼핑 컴뮤니티~
단순하고 거대한 공간 스케일의 느낌으로부터
미로처럼 길고 좁은 동선의 방향을 따라가면서
수많은 아이디어 상품들이 연출하는 실내 파노라마~
한 자리에서 크게, 작게... 가까이, 멀리... 높게, 낮게..
소재를 탐구해가며 스케치를 즐기는 쾌적한 장소입니다.

62nd World Wide SketchCrawl at Seoul Folk Flea Market

front view of the flea market building, pen and watercolor, (36x51cm)

viewed from hall around ramp on the 2nd floor, pencil and watercolor, (36x51cm)

a herbal shop on the 2nd floor, pen and watercolor crayon, (29.6x 42cm)

traditional Korean restaurant on the 1st floor, pencil and watercolor crayon, (36x51cm)

a quick sketch of indoor scene, fountain pen, (29.6x 42cm)

Last Saturday, for the 62nd World Wide SketchCrawl, we Seoul urban sketchers met at Seoul Folk Flea Market (서울풍물시장), Sinseol-dong (신설동), Dongdaemun-gu. The market is well known as the largest flea market in Korea, and all the street around market were crowded with customers and vendors all the year round. There are lots of sketching subject matters such as various kinds of regional specialties, antiques, craftworks, pottery, variegated necessaries of life, rare objects and many others.
It was very cold and windy outdoors, but inside the market building was so warm by many heaters and vibrant atmosphere for enjoying sketch pleasantly. I've visited here to sketch many times before, so all the colorful scenes were not stranger to me. I tried to sketch the familiar scenes in and out of the interesting flea market with a new perspective. It's a certainly useful experience to repeat sketching on the same spot many times.
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찾아갈수록 세월의 켜가 쌓여가는 서울풍물 벼룩시장~
훈훈한 옛날시간 속으로 들어가 변해가는 오늘을 보는 장소..
일상의 흔적이 담긴 생활소품들에서 추억이 새록새록
골동품, 중고품, 갖가지 희귀한 잡동사니가 뒤섞이면서
그려도 그려도 소재가 넘쳐나는 생활 스케치의 명소입니다.

12월의 메세나폴리스

Mecenapolis, pen and watercolor (280x216mm)

 

Hapjung Station side view, pen and watercolor (280x216mm)

항상 궁금해했었지만, 이제서야 서울어반스케쳐스 모임에 처음 참석하게 되었네요. 주말에 바쁜 프리랜서인 관계로 월요일에 하는 행사가 이렇게 반가울 수가 없었습니다.

자주 지나가는 합정역임에도 그림으로 기록하는 메세나폴리스의 풍경은 또 색다른 느낌으로 다가오더군요. 새로운 분들과 반가운 만남을 해서 더욱 좋았습니다. 비록 날씨는 조금 쌀쌀했어도 그림에 대한 뜨거운 열정을 배워가는 하루였습니다.

앞으로도 자주 찾아 뵙도록 할게요*
다가오는 연말연시도 행복하고 따뜻하게 보내세요 :-D

Enjoyable sketches at Mecenatpolis Mall, Seoul

surrounding scene seen from the open corridor on the 2nd floor of Mecenatpolis Mall, pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

 Krispy Kreme Doughnuts restaurant on the central plaza, pen and watercolor, 

(29.6 x 42cm)

scene of the central plaza which opened to the sky with colorful umbrellas suspended above the mall, pencil and watercolor crayons, (29.6 x 42cm)

Mecenatpolis complex buildings viewed from outdoor garden, pencil, (36 x 51cm)

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On Monday of this week, despite the cold weather, usk Seoul members met at Mecenatpolis Mall nearby Hapjeong Subway Station. Mecenatpolis is one of the most famous landmark complex buildings within sight of the Han River. I have visited this attractive location several times to sketch various drawings. I enjoyed and sketched the interesting spaces among buildings, soft curves of the colorful walls and decorations embroidered on the shopping mall. Although it was very windy and cold outdoors, various sketching materials made me forget about the cold. Thank you for all the participants including new comers!

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직선과 곡선의 하모니, 사람과 도시의 스케일과 대비감,
닫힘에서 열림으로 이어지는 자유로운 공간의 흐름~~
차거운 유리빌딩 속에서도 인간적 풍요로움이 배어있는,
번잡한 도시속에 스케치를 위한 열린 콘서트 무대 같습니다.

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)

 .
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~~

Sketches of colorful scenes around Insadong, Seoul

panoramic scene sketched at the 5th floor of Insa Art Center, 

pencil and watercolor crayon, (36 x 51cm)

sketched at the Maru building (마루빌딩), pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

scene of the alley viewed from the Insadong-gil, pencil, (33.5 x 48.5cm)

scene of the alley by the side of the Nagwon Musical Instrument shopping mall 

(낙원 악기상가), pen and watercolor, (33.5 x 48.5cm)

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Last Saturday weekend, usk Seoul members met at Ssamziegil building (쌈지길 빌딩) which is well-known as one of the famous tourist attractions in Insadong, downtown Seoul. There are lots of sketching subject matters such as art galleries, characterful tea houses, restaurants, cafes, and small shops selling arts and crafts. So I used to sketch this familiar hot place many times before.  A crowd of people including foreign tourist surged toward the Insadong street from morning. At first I went up to the rooftop terrace on the 5th floor of Insa Art Center (인사아트센터) across from Ssamziegil building, and sketched the panoramic scene around Sueun Assembly House Building (수운회관) and Chundogyo's Central Headquaters (천도교 중앙대교당). Two historic buildings surrounded by irregular buildings are well-matched together harmoniously.
After lunch, I sketched some attractive scenes with crowded people, walking along the streets and narrow alley around Insadong and Nakwondong. It was a very nice day for urban sketching together in an attractive place. Insadong and surroundings are so impressive and the most perfect location for urban sketchers in various ways.
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쌀쌀한 날씨임에도 인사동 거리는 따스한 분위기입니다.
전통문화와 예술, 독특한 먹거리와 관광객들로 인산인해를 이루고~
사라져가는 고풍스러움이 현대식 빌딩과 다문화 거리로 바뀌어가는
인사동 주변은 다채로운 현재진행형 스케치의 명소라 하겠습니다.