Sketches at the Jeongdong observatory

a panoramic view of Seoul from the Jeongdong Observatory, 

pencil and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

a scenery around Seoul Anglican Cathedral (대한 성공회 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 Insa-dong 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.

Sketches at the competition of seniors' art performance

panoramic view of KBS Sports World building, pen and watercolor, 

(24 x 32cm)

entrance of KBS Arena Hall, pen and watercolor, (24 x 32cm)

scenery inside of KBS Arena Hall, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

a cameraman is filming the performance, pen and watercolor, 

(21 x 29.6cm)

classical dance performance, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

folk dance performance, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

Taekwondo playing, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

guest stage of Seoul Policemen performing publicity, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

Korean traditional fan dancing, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

beating Korean traditional drums, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

scenery of audience hall, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

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Last week, Oct. 23rd, I attended a competition of physical exercise for the seniors. It was held by Seoul Association of Senior Welfare Centers at the KBS Sports World building. The Seoul Senior Welfare Center where our sketching group, Seoul Urban Sketchers, was invited for the exhibition last year. Therefore I thanked for it and registered as supporters for the players. Because it was my first visit to the big building and to participate in such supporting event I felt excited expecting for the performance and sketching too. It began on 10 am and ended on 4 pm. From the start the big hall filled by supporters from 35 welfare centers in Seoul and kept cheering all the teams. All the while I enjoyed both sketching and joyful music and various dances. Dynamic energy from the stage and the hall made my pen move on papers dancing with the beats and beautiful melodies.

Though I couldn't spend much time for supporting itself I thought being there and capturing their energetic features would be a great record for the performance of senior members from all districts where I was living together. And what a big joy that our team has won 2nd prize for the supporters! Thank you all the players and big supporters!

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강서구 등촌동 KBS 스포츠월드 아레나에서 열린 시니어 생활체육 경연대회는 감동적인 장면으로 가득찼습니다. 포크댄스, 한국무용, 난타, 라인댄스, 사물놀이, 태권도... 와 더불어  우정출연한 서울경찰 홍보단의 역동적 무대는 일품이었습니다. 노익장을 과시하며 열정적으로 삶을 불태워가는 에너지에 찬 시니어 공연은 "나이는 숫자에 불과하다"는 것을 실감케하는 멋진 무대였습니다. 스케치도 시종일관 흥에 겨운 퍼포먼스였습니다.