Subway sketches

seats for seniors, pencil, 18 x 25 cm

man with his lapdog, pencil, 13 x 18 cm

man looking outside seated off his shoes, pencil, 13 x 18 cm

a couple with their luggage sat on the floor, pen, pencil, 29 x 20 cm

It's summer with high temperature, which makes me fearful to sketch outdoor. I try to use time in subway trains. Inside is cool. I love to read books or to draw people. I hope to share the various life styles of our companions who live together in same space through these small paper drawings. 

너무 더워서 요 며칠은 집에서 지냅니다. 나가더라도 서늘한 지하철에서 스케치 하는 것으로 만족합니다. 동시대를 살아가는 동반자라고 생각하면 모르는 분들이라도 애정이 갑니다. 모두들 건강하고 행복한 시간이 되기 바랍니다. 

Sketches in subway

pen, pencil(6B), 18 x 25 cm

pencil, 18 x 25 cm

Two days ago I got on a subway no. 3 at Bulkwang station. As soon as I took a seat I could see a young family (from China, maybe) with a kid on a pram. Instantly I took out my sketch paper and started to draw them wishing them to go together at least for several stops. They did as if they heard my wish. I began with a gel-pen and finished with pencil. Because babies move fast in usual cases I captured her at first after drawing her mother's contour. After minutes she moved into her mother's lap and his sleepy brother could have a sweet sleep in the pram. Subjects with kids must be drawn rapidly for their incessant movements. It gives tension to a sketcher compared to the sketching old people. On the coming home I drew the three women who seemed to be friends. Similar clothes, scarves, hair styles, and bags may look somewhat monotonous, But I could feel comfortable in their round personalities who've been living with their utmost efforts. 

지난 수요일에 전철을 탔는데 바로 앞 좌석에 중국인으로 보이는 절은 가족이 앉아 있더군요. 마침 자리가 하나 비어서 앉아서 바로 그리기 시작했습니다. 요즘 어린아이 만나는 일도 드문 일이 되어가는지라 놓칠 수 없었어요. 아이들은 움직임이 빨라 참 어렵습니다. 반면에 집에 오는 길에 그린 노부인 드로잉은 좀 여유를 가지고 그렸구요. 언제 내릴지 모르는 승객들이라 항상 긴장감 속에 그려내야하기에 대상을 단순화시키는 훈련이 되는 듯합니다. 

Pencil sketches in subway

Two girls busy with their phones, 15 x 17 cm

Very tired young man, 15 x 17 cm

I had time for sketching in subway after months since last January. People in subway are always good subjects for me. Their gestures are natural and they keep same poses for minutes at least. For these ones I tried several sheets. It gets warmer. 

I feel like sketching outside and wish to meet sketchers soon. 

오랜만에 지하철에서 스케치를 할 수 있었습니다. 언제나 그들은 자연스럽고도 정감이 있습니다. 간단한 선으로 깊이 있고 멋진 모습을 담아낼 수 있기를 바라며 그려봅니다.

따뜻해지는 날씨에 건강한 모습으로 만나 뵙기 바랍니다.

sketches at Noksapyeong Station, Seoul

distant view of Namsan Mountain(남산) from the station

surrounding scenery viewed from pedestrian overpass nearby the station

the glass roof dome of Noksapyeong Station

a scene on the top floor inside the station

another view on the top floor

main stairway and escalators viewed from the lower floor

main stairway and escalators viewed from the top floor

subway platform(승강장) on the lowest level

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( 21 x 29.6cm sketchbook.  pen, watercolor )

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A few days ago, I had a chance to sketch a beautiful subway station located near Yongsan-gu Office(용산구청). Noksapyeong Station(녹사평역) on line No.6 is known for having the most beautiful interior and a spectacular underground space for a subway station.
The glass domed roof allows plenty of natural light into the station. Inside the station, the crisscrossing escalators and stairs traverse the spherical space that runs through five levels. Especially on the main stairway, it was very impressed to hear Korean traditional music when people go up the step with shining light. Because the American Army base(미군부대) locates nearby, I could see occasionally foreign passengers while sketching. Among them, some people showed interest in my sketches with favorable comments. It was very exciting sketch time trying to draw various forms and movements.
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남산과 미군기지, 신청사를 둘러보는 용산의 중심지
작은 유리돔 아래 아담하고 스펙타클한 지하철 공간
다이나믹한 직선들과 동심원 곡선들이 교차하면서
천창의 빛과 색색의 조명아래 오르내리는 인파들~~
녹사평 역사는 작은 보석과도 같은 스케치장소입니다.

woman in subway & women at bus stop, Seoul

woman in subway no. 3, pencil, 19.5 x 29 cm

Her clothes in zebra pattern caught my eye. Because she changed her pose of her legs often it was hard to draw well. People in subway are really good models for sketching. I thank always for them.

women, mother and daughter, at a bus stop of Jongro 5 Ga, Seoul, pencil, A 4

I sketched this drawing waiting for the bus to go home after sketching some posted on Sept. 2, 2011 previously. The fan on the hand of the young lady made me begin to draw. It was a hot day.

on a hot day at Yeonheedong

There are famous restaurants at Yeonheedong. I went to have Naengmyun(Cold Noodle) at one of them. Before entering the restaurant I sketched the above one using pencil and chalks putting my sketchbook on the pocket for free newspaper, which was very useful.

 I sketched her who was busy with her mobile phone at subway using pencil (7B). 

She was so absorbed in her mobile that I could sketch well.

pencil sketches

a cafe from 2nd story floor across the street at Nogbeondong, Seoul, pencil, 10 x 15 cm

mom and kids at subway, pencil, A 4, July 2, 2011

Pencil and paper are the basic tools for sketching to me.

in subway

I sketched this one near a kiosk located at subway no. 3, Kyongbok Palace station waiting for my friend to come there. They seemed to be friends. They're talking for a while. The woman in kiosk seemed to have some headache. She touched her forehead with hands in turn.

(17 x 17 cm, pencil)

sketches in subway

A 4 size, pencil

Yesterday I went to Seoul Grand Park for sketching. I just enjoyed the scenery and doodling the animal. On the way coming home I saw the three persons on wheel chairs. I sketched them. The third person was reading book drawn in the right bottom of the paper. They seemed to move to some place together.

women at the subway

subway series

10.5x14.8cm

Was many persons total hard life that blows the yellow dust storm and takes part on a cold day. Could paint in this bad backdrop and did happiness.
Was glad I meet new persons. Do how many person es in subway while I go to Dongdaemun and painted two picture on the spot.Was inconvenient because it is no time although site good and very yearning. Cellular phone camera does not become operation that take a picture coming to the house even so. Imprints by daughter cellular phone camera and raises croquis.Color picture can not imprint because picture quality is bad.
Other persons pictures wonder.

at subway on Dec.2, 2009

17 x 25 cm, 4B pencil

sliding doors in subway

June, 2009, pen and pastel on colored paper, 21 x 30 cm
I sketched this sliding doors at Kwanghwamoon station of subway no. 5. The doors were installed for the safety of the passengers and controlled automatically by train control system. Notice for the opening in emergency was posted on top right.

women in subway

Days ago I sketched two women in subway.

I began to draw the contour and they moved.

I couldn't finish. But it was enough to describe the figure.

people in subway

I thank passengers in subway always. They look very characteristic and fashionable sometimes. But common people have their own attractiveness. I love to draw them endlessly.