Tuesday, September 18, 2012

sketches around Hansung university

scenery seen from the Yeon Ku Kwan building of Hansung University, 
pencil & watercolor, A 4

 scene seen from the Yeon Ku Kwan building
apartments are seen through the campus buildings.

pen and watercolor, A 4



How steep the slope was!

I went to Hansung University located at Samseongyo for sketching. Walking down the Samseongyo - Gil, I could see the very steep steps. But the far scenery was beautiful with houses on hillsides. Houses where people live look familiar always. 

Sunday, September 16, 2012

some sketches around Jogyesa Temple, Seoul

One Pillar Gate (main gate of Jogyesa Temple), pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Daewoongjeon building (Main Buddha Hall), pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Daewoogjeon viewed from main gate, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Paradise Hall (Amita Buddha Hall) under repairs, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm 

The 8 angle and 10 story Stone Stupa, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Buddha Statue in Daewoongjeon, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Baby Buddha Statue and offering box, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Memorial Hall of Buddhist Culture & History of Korean Buddhism, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm 

Templestay Building across the street, pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Ujeongchongguk( Central Post Office,1884), pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm

Statue of Min Yeong-Hwan, patriot,minister of the Korean Empire, 21 x 29.6cm

The Portrait Shrine of Yi Saek(牧隱), pen and watercolor, 21 x 29.6cm
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A few days ago, I visited Jogyesa Temple located in the middle of Seoul. Jogyesa does not give off the solemn and traditional air of the other temples located deep in the mountains. But because it is located within the heart of the city, the public transportation is so convenient, and well combined with the sceneries of the old city Seoul. Maybe another interesting place in town where nature is present is a temple.
I sketched some colorful sceneries here and there delightfully around crowded precints of the temple.

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Monday, September 10, 2012

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. 

Friday, September 7, 2012

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.



Saturday, September 1, 2012

Seoul sketches

중구서소문동 평안교회앞뜰




비오는날 여의도 IFC MALL 앞에서



구반포 아파트 에서




광화문주변에서

`

Friday, August 24, 2012

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.



Sunday, August 19, 2012

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.