sketches around Hongjimun at Hongji-dong, Seoul

facade of Hongjimun Gate, pen and watercolor

distant view of Hongjimun Gate, pen and watercolor

a scenery of Hongji-dong village, pen and watercolor

Seodaemun Public Sanatorium for Seniors, pen and watercolor

Bupryunsa Temple, pen and watercolor

an old fashioned domestic factory, pencil and watercolor

a multifamiliy house building, pencil

( 21 x 29.6cm sketchbook )

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Hongjimun Gate and Tangchundaeseong Fortress were built to provide a connection between Seoul's city fortress and Bukhansanseong Fortress. This gate was built in 1719, and collapsed in January,1921, but was restored along with the wall in 1977.  And It's so valuable cultural asset for the citizens of Seoul. Lots of rustic houses, small temples, public sanatorium near by Hongjecheon and Sangmyung University are mixed harmoniously around Hongjimun.

On a hot summer day, I visited the nature-friendly village near the downtown Seoul, and sketched this and that along the Hongjecheon stream around Hongjimun Gate.

Alaska

12cmx18cm  pen,pencil,watercolor

at downtown around Taepyeong-ro, Jung-ku, seoul

old and new Seoul city hall

fountain on Seoul Plaza

big fire smoke backward of city hall buildings, which was caused by a fire at the construction field of National Contemporary Art Museum, Seoul

view of Seosomun street from Hanhwa Finance Plaza building of Taepyeong-ro where the renovation of City Hall subway station was undergoing

Sogong Tailor shop at Sogong street surrounded by the Chosun Hotel

pencil & watercolor, 27.5 x 17.5 cm sketchbook

After sending some dried food by parcel post to my daughter at Gwanghwamun Post Office I walked around Taepyeongro street. At Seoul Plaza there was a tent which seemed to be installed for citizens with benches, where I could sketch very comfortably. After sketching two I could see a big smoke behind the city hall buildings. Because I didn't have seen such a big smoke, at first I thought it was a kind of dark cloud expecting a shower soon. But it looked too dark, nearly black. So I asked two policemen who stood near me, "Hello, is it a kind of cloud or a fire smoke?" The were surprised at the scene and went forward to the direction of smoke and came back saying "There was a fire!". I started to draw the scene already. The fire seemed to cease within 10 to 20 minutes and the sky looked clear again. On the way coming home I heard that there was a big fire at the construction field and four laborers died unfortunately. Very sad to hear that. 

in and out of Seran General Hospital

I sketched this one as soon as I arrived at the hospital for my mother's prescription. The scenery seen from the Seran General Hospital, Muak-dong, Jongno-ku, Seoul was always beautiful through the four seasons. 

The red brick building is of Seodaemun Prison History Hall.  

Because I thought my turn to be delayed I tried to have lunch at the near eating house. I walked down some steps into the hall. Waiting my meal to be served I started to draw the frontal entrance scene for the contrast was very strong. 

After returning I had to wait for an hour or more. 

I just had a good sketching time drawing the patients.

She was filling in the questionnaire which used to be given to the first visit patients.

pen and watercolor, 27.5 x 17.5 cm sketchbook

at Children's Grand Park, Neung-dong, Seoul

octogonal pavilion near the rear entrance of the park, pencil, watercolor, A 4

at riding track for kids at park, where small, little horse was there but camel wasn't shown

in front of Gummaru in park, pencil and watercolor, A 4

a woman at bus stop, Gwanghwamun,  pencil, 21 x 14 cm

In a successive hot day season I went to the park for walking and sketching. But the breeze blowing through the big trees made it easy and pleasant. Because it's holiday season for kindergarten and middle & high schools the park was quiet and good for sketching. These days people look so fashionable. What's needed was just to catch them at once on the spot regardless of results.

sketches at Kookmin University, Jeongneung-dong, Seoul

Bugak Hall, the monument building, pen and watercolor,

  Bugak Hall, pen and brush with black ink.

Student Union viewed from the main gate, pen and watercolor,

College of Arts, pen and watercolor,

International hall complex, pen ,

dynamic atmosphere of the Concert Hall, pen and watercolor,

University Statue (Yongduri), pen and watercolor,

the Statue of Ikhee"HaiKong" Shin, the first president of the university, pen and watercolor,

the Statue of Sunggon"Sungkok" Kim, the father of the university, pen and watercolor,

Student Union by the side of Playing Field, pen and watercolor,

Myongwon Folk House, Korean traditional style building, pen and watercolor,

courtyard of the Myongwon Folk House, pen and watercolor,

( 21 x29.6cm sketchbook)

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Kookmin University(Bugak campus) is a private university located in Jeongneung-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul. Surrounded by the Bukhansan National Park, Kookmin University boasts a clean and green environment complimented by the most up-to-date educational facilities. There are colorful sceneries of natural landscape harmonized with various campus building clusters.

Last Saturday, the weather was so hot and sultry that I can't help sketching with washing my face in cold water many times. In spite of high discomfort index, I was absored in drawing diverse sceneries with satisfaction.