Watercolor sketches at Buam-dong village, Seoul

a panorama of Buam-dong village, pencil and watercolor, (54 x 72cm)

a street scene of Baekseokdong-gil viewed from the cafe, pen and watercolor, 

(36 x 51cm)

a street scene of Changuimun-ro viewed from the cafe, pen and watercolor pencil, 

(36 x 51cm)

photo by Daniel Thomas Faller

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The weather was very clear last Saturday, especially it was the first sketch meeting in four months after Corona19, so the atmosphere of the meeting place was full of vitality. Buam-dong, a beautiful village, is a small tourist attraction that I often visit and sketch because it is close to my home and has various painting elements. The village, which has the rural atmosphere of Bukaksan Mountain and Inwangsan Mountain hills, is filled with many sketching elements, including famous food restaurants, cafes, modern galleries, and registered cultural assets. 

In the morning, I sat on the stone steps looking at Bukhansan Mountain in the distance, and began to paint a panoramic view of the village where high and low houses were harmonized. I drew a watercolor on a large piece of paper. When drawing on a larger piece of paper than on a small piece of paper previously drawn, it was certainly beneficial in many ways because it allowed more observation and concentration on the subject. 

After lunch, I leaned over the table on the second floor of the cafe(Club Espresso) and sketched the various street views over the window in a comfortable atmosphere. I usually use pens and watercolors, but I think it's good to enjoy different flavors of atmosphere, sometimes using a variety of colored pencils, pastels, and markers, and so forth. Buam-dong is a small and cute village, but it is also a good place to sketch for new challenges to various objects and materials.

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코로나19로 인해 어반스케치의 제약을 받아 온 날들은

더더욱 현장그림의 소중함을 크게 깨닫게 해주는 계기 같습니다.

부암동은 명산과 둘레길, 볼거리와 먹거리 카페의 핫 플레이스~

빈티지와 현대미, 예술과 전통 문화가 자연스레 어우러지고

명징한 하늘아래 구비구비 골목길.. 다양한 색들의 변주곡을 들으면서

북악의 호연지기를 마시며 5월의 부암동 스케치에 취해봅니다.

Sketches at Ttukseom Culture Complex J-Bug (뚝섬 자벌레관)

surrounding scene viewed from the terrace of the tunnel, pen and watercolor, 

(29.6 x 42cm)

indoor scene at the library, Seoul Saengag Maru, pen and watercolor, 

(21 x 29.6cm)

a happy family scene inside the Seoul Saengag Maru, pen and watercolor, 

(21 x 29.6cm)

an outdoor scene viewed from the tunnel near the exit 3 of subway no.7, 

pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

scenery of Han River viewed from the observatory deck of the Seoul Saengag Maru, pencil, (29.6 x 42cm)

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Last Saturday, it was rather cold but clear weather to sketch. Seoul urban sketches gathered at Ttukseom Cultural Complex J-bug(뚝섬 전망문화컴플렉스) from the morning.  J-Bug, so-called Jabollae Observatory (자벌레전망대) is a well-known cultural complex located at Ttukseom Han River Park in Gwangjin-gu. It forms a floating tunnel that looks like a smooth curved catapillar, and offers a magnificient views of the Han River. It is directly connected to the subway station, making it more accessible to citizens and convenient to visit regardless of the weather. Inside the tunnel, the library (Seoul Saengag Maru, 서울생각마루), observatory deck, cafes and interior spaces with a fine atmosphere are all sketch materials. Exterior views from open spaces, various scenes around the Han River, surrounding scenes of apartments and overpasses are also good sketch subjects. As I happened to have another schedule that afternoon, I had to sketch quickly from place to place and leave the meeting place. The sketch meeting, which has a lot of drawing materials with new members, was impressive and I would like to visit more often to do many works. It was a nice day of free-wheeling sketches!
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뚝섬 한강공원의 작은 명물 자벌레 전망대~~
한강을 향한 몸통 속에 길게 이어지는 환상의 공간
어둠을 가르며 간간이 스쳐가는 햇살과 부드러운 조명속에
열린 데크를 통해서 한강 주변 파노라마들을 감싸안으며
도시속에서 숲과 물을 향유하며 독서와 이벤트를 같이 즐기는
자벌레관 속에서 보내는 스케치의 하루는 상쾌한 시간입니다.

Year-end sketches at Mullae Art Village, Seoul

main street scene of old fashioned iron mills at Mullae-dong, 

pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

an alley scene at Mullae Art Village, pencil and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

an inside scene of cafe "308 Mohenic Stay", pencil, (29.6 x 42cm)

a bustling landscape of ironworks, pen, (21 x 29.6cm)

street scene viewed from the road adjacent to the Anglican Church of Korea, 

pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

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Last Saturday, we Seoul urban sketchers held this year’s final sketch meeting at Mullae Creative Village(문래 창작촌), Guro-gu, Seoul. Mullae Village has been famous for its ironworks complex for a long time, but it has recently been transformed into a space of young artists, one by one, where steel mills have left. With modern skyscrapers built around it, the creative village is being reborn as a small attraction in the city where old industry and new art coexist. 

The weather was a little cold and cloudy, and besides, it rained in the afternoon, forcing us to sketch outdoors under the iron factory eaves to avoid it. While sketching from place to place, I thought about the future of the village, looking at the ironworks that are disappearing one by one and the workshops and cafes of young artists that are changing their spaces in various ways. This village, where old and new coexist without destroying the existing facilities, is an interesting and picturesque place for urban sketchers.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to all urban sketchers!

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철공소단지가 젊은 예술촌으로 변모해가는 문래동...

철판 쇳소리를 용접 불꽃에 녹이던 삶의 현장~~

변해가는 물결에 하나둘 사라져가는 산업시대의 자취들...

속속 고층빌딩들 사이로 쇳가루 골목길엔 향수가 배어있고

둔탁함과 아기자기함이 어우러지며 꽃피는 이야기 속에 

새로운 핫 플레이스~문래동의 스케치꺼리가 넘쳐납니다.

새해 복들 많이 받으시고 스케치 현장에서 뵈어요!

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 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.

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.

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)

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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~~

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.