at Olympic Park, Seoul

I got to revisit the Olympic Park, near Jamsil, near the southeastern part of the city.  I had visited this before, once with friends, the other time to go to a Hyundai-sponsored Summer Concert.  The park was beautiful, with lots of amenities, ranging from rollerblading area and an ice-skating rink during the winter, to a public garden full of interesting sculptures, and an art museum, SOMA, to go with it.  This was my third visit, and it didn't fail to impress me with a mix of historical areas, interspersed with sports facilities.  

할아버지들의 모임, pencil, 257x357mm

grampas -- The first sketch was done near the entrance.  There were many areas with shades, and elderly grampas, joined together for a serious game of Chinese chess or just chit chat.  There was even a garden of lavender behind, so it felt peaceful, to be sitting and sketching there. 

올림픽공원의 장승들, pencil, 257x357mm

olympic park entrance -- This was the first sketch I did upon arriving at the Olympic Park.  There are columns of totem poles on both sides of the Peace Gate leading one towards the actual entrance with all the flags.  Each totem pole wears a funny expression, so I tried to capture that.  But it would have been nice to capture a whole row of columns so that the length of the grand entrance could 

be felt. 

골목길, pencil, 257x357mm

streetview -- This alleyway is the narrow corridor between two parts of the SOMA museum buildings.  Perhaps because of the long ramp leading up to it, or because of the narrowness of the corridor, it was a stark contrast to the open expanses of greenery both in front and behind, it felt very quaint and mysterious.  I stood there for a longer time than usual, trying to capture that mystic mood. 

at Children's Grand Park, Amusement park, Neungdong

pencil, watercolor, 21 x 30 cm

The park locates at Neungdong, Seoul. Because the park is free for citizens there are lots of people who walk or come for picnic with family to see animal and enjoy at amusement park too. But the amusement park was closed since July 1st this year for changing new riding machines till March next year. This one locates by the way of rear entrance. So I could draw though the amusement park was prohibited to enter.

Seoul sketches

중구서소문동 평안교회앞뜰

비오는날 여의도 IFC MALL 앞에서

구반포 아파트 에서

광화문주변에서

`

two sketches around Gwanghwamun

I began to sketch while waiting for my turn in Kong Eye Clinic. Pencil was the most convenient tool in such case. I finished this after treatment.

Before coming home I passed the street in Susong-dong. I like the old red brick building in the corner. The area may be redeveloped in the future. I sketched this sitting in the stool put in front of a small coffee cafe. But it was not easy to spread watercolor gear so I washed it sitting on the curb of the street.

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 )

.

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