Sketches at Yakhyeon Catholic Church, Jungnim-dong, Seoul

the distant view of the Yakhyeon Catholic Church from the main street, Chungpa-ro, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

another main gate of the church viewed from the access road, Jungnim-ro, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

a statue of the Mother Maria and Baby Jesus, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

 the whole view of Yakhyeon Catholic Church seen from the courtyard, (24 x 32cm)

the filming crew of the SBS drama "Passionate priest"(열혈 사제) was busy shooting the acting scenes outside the church, 

pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

Namdaemun Gate and surrounding buildings viewed from  Yakhyeon Observatory(약현전망대) located at prayer garden, pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm) 

.
Yakhyeon Catholic Church(약현성당) is Korea's first Gothic style church located at Jungnim-dong(중림동) in downtown Seoul. The cathedral, with a history of more than 120 years and a representative shrine dedicated to martyrs, is situated at the top of a small hill surrounded by bustling streets and high-rise buildings.
This week, last Monday, we Seoul urban sketchers gathered to sketch in this church. The weather was a bit cold and dust, but suitable for sketching outdoors. I've sketched this place many times before, but the more I draw, the fresher I feel in the same place. The cathedral which contains historical meaning and architectural style, provides endless sketching materials in harmony with its surroundings. I enjoyed sketching various scenes that I didn't draw before from place to place around the beautiful cathedral.
----------------------------------------
120여년의 역사와 건축사적 가치를 지닌 순교성지 약현성당..
서울 도심의 빌딩숲 사이로 빛나는 언덕위의 아담한 안식처
최초의 고딕 양식.. 붉은벽돌과 인상적인 첨탑의 단아한 모습
순교정신과 세월의 흔적이 담겨있는 낯익은 장소와 건축이지만
그릴 때마다 새롭게 주변환경과 조화를 이루어가는 스케치의 명소입니다.

Sketches at Geumsunsa Temple

Monks and congregators starting the service in praying hall, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

Scene in the process of the rite, pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

Another sketch at the same spot, pen and watercolor crayon, 

(21 x 29.6cm)

After the first(symbolical washing the late souls and making them to hear the Buddha's words) and second(paying respects and praying to Buddha) procedure the chief monk, Buban, thanked for the cooperation of the believers for the new painting and other projects in the temple. pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm)

The third step was undergoing. Participants prayed eternal peace in paradise of their ancestors, family members, friends or anonymous, nameless souls bowing and devoting with clean water. pen and watercolor, (21 x 29.6cm) 

Another scene of the third step of the rite, pencil and watercolor, 

(21 x 29.6cm)

The last step of the rites for the deceased. pencil and watercolor, 

(21 x 29.6cm)

Yeonhwadang(연화당) in the temple for the deads. The burying tradition was changed into the cremation one. Families visit there from time to time missing them. pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

I sketched the scene of the cinerarium outdoor. pen and watercolor crayon, (29.6 x 42cm) 

Banyajeon(praying hall : 반야전) where the service was held on, under which on first floor there are rooms for the temple stayers. pencil and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

Entering the temple people could meet the two story Bell tower building (범종각), pencil and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

Mokjeong cave(목정굴), a historical space for praying. The stone cave has been loved by people since the King Jeongjo(1752-1800) of Joseon dynasty, pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

.

Last Saturday, I visited Geumsunsa temple to join the Cheondo-jae (천도재) that is a ceremony offered for the deceased. 

 At the time of the founding of Joseon dynasty royal monk Muhak established this temple, Geumsunsa, nearly 600 years ago. The temple locates in Gugi-dong, Jongno-gu, in front of the beautiful Bukhan mountain not far from downtown Seoul. So some climbers drop in to take rest having lunch and noodle served by the temple on Sundays except cold days. 

In old days Korean people had been paying services for their ancestors on their anniversary annually and on the new year day and thanks giving day. Though it's symbolical for the descendants to spread foods and fruits on ceremonial table for their ancestors we've been remembering them through generations. These days some families substitute the service with paying mass or christian service. And the new generation changes the food or fruits according to the present popular ones. In the service the names of the late ones are set on table. The names written on paper are substituted with photos nowadays. 

On the wall over the painting lots of names are attached on a panel. At the last step the monks and congregators walk all around the praying hall together in a row and move to the furnace. We burn the names of the late souls wishing them to go to paradise. Participants bow praying their favorites' eternal peace. 

Hearing that there would be a special service for the late ancestors. I decided to participate in it and to draw the process. It was not easy to see the process in detail because I had to take seat back of the room not to hinder others. I could get several by others' generous understanding about sketching but I added watercolor at home. If I had known about the process well enough to capture more in detail other scene would 

be drawn in different views. In spite of the difficulty of the environment for sketching it was worthy to be in the process of rite for parents and to draw at the same time.

-------------------------------

서울 도심 속 자연친화적인 600여년 사찰 금선사~

솔내음 가득한 북한산 정기와 청정샘 약수를 머금고

조상을 기리는 합동 천도재의 장엄한 예불과 함께

반야전, 극락전, 연화당, 범종각, 목정굴, 템플 스테이....

산세따라 흐르는 아기자기한 소재를 벗삼아 가는 

심신수양과 더불어 스케치를 통한 힐링의 장소입니다.

sketches at IKEA Goyang, Gyeonggi-do

the building facade of IKEA Goyang, pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

restaurant on the 2nd floor, pen and watercolor crayon, 

(29.6 x 42cm)

showroom on the 2nd floor, pen and watercolor crayon, 

(29.6 x 42cm)

home furnishing accessories on the 1st floor, pencil and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

entrance hall on the 1st floor, pen, (36 x 51cm)

a sketcher, Lee Kyu Young is absorbed in drawing, pencil, 

(29.6 x 42cm)

.

Yesterday, we Seoul urban sketchers visited IKEA Goyang, situated at Deogyang-gu, Goyang-si, close to Seoul. IKEA is Swedish home-furnishings chain store, and Goyang store is the second branch in Korea, which is projected to attract residents in the northern part of the province and more consumers in Seoul. The huge store sells furniture, accessories, and many kinds of stuffs that we need at home every day. It was a bit cold outdoors, so we gathered at the wide and comfortable restaurant on the 2nd floor and sketched the colorful interior scenes and some figure drawings. After lunch, despite the cold weather I went out of the building and sketched the facade of IKEA Goyang. Then I entered the huge home furnishing accessories on the 1st floor and sketched the large store scene with a high ceiling. I impressed the wide and long space of showroom, home furnishing accessory and huge amounts of products throughout the building. Lots of colorful displayed goods and bustling mall gave me unlimited subjects of sketches. I could draw colorful scenes of the huge shopping mall in the crowd of visitors. It also was very useful sketch time trying to draw various forms and movements on such a long and complicated space. 

-------------------------------

홈 퍼니싱의 모든 것, IKEA 쇼핑 컴뮤니티~ 

단순하고 거대한 공간 스케일의 느낌으로부터

미로처럼 길고 좁은 동선의 방향을 따라가면서 

수많은 아이디어 상품들이 연출하는 실내 파노라마~

한 자리에서 크게, 작게... 가까이, 멀리... 높게, 낮게..

소재를 탐구해가며 스케치를 즐기는 쾌적한 장소입니다.

62nd World Wide SketchCrawl at Seoul Folk Flea Market

front view of the flea market building, pen and watercolor, (36x51cm)

 viewed from hall around ramp on the 2nd floor, pencil and watercolor, (36x51cm)

a herbal shop on the 2nd floor, pen and watercolor crayon, (29.6x 42cm)

traditional Korean restaurant on the 1st floor, pencil and watercolor crayon, (36x51cm)

a quick sketch of indoor scene, fountain pen, (29.6x 42cm)

Last Saturday, for the 62nd World Wide SketchCrawl, we Seoul urban sketchers met at Seoul Folk Flea Market, Sinseol-dong, Dongdaemun-gu. The market is well known as the largest flea market in Korea, and all the street around market were crowded with customers and vendors all the year round. There are lots of sketching subject matters such as various kinds of regional specialties, antiques, craftworks, pottery, variegated necessaries of life, rare objects and many others.
It was very cold and windy outdoors, but inside the market building was so warm by many heaters and vibrant atmosphere for enjoying sketch pleasantly. I've visited here to sketch many times before, so all the colorful scenes were not stranger to me. I tried to sketch the familiar scenes in and out of the interesting flea market with a new perspective. It's a certainly useful experience to repeat sketching on the same spot many times.
-----------------------------
찾아갈수록 세월의 켜가 쌓여가는 서울풍물 벼룩시장~
훈훈한 옛날시간 속으로 들어가 변해가는 오늘을 보는 장소..
일상의 흔적이 담긴 생활소품들에서 추억이 새록새록
골동품, 중고품, 갖가지 희귀한 잡동사니가 뒤섞이면서
그려도 그려도 소재가 넘쳐나는 생활 스케치의 명소입니다.

Enjoyable sketches at Mecenatpolis Mall, Seoul

surrounding scene seen from the open corridor on the 2nd floor of Mecenatpolis Mall, pen and watercolor, (36 x 51cm)

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts restaurant on the central plaza, 

pen and watercolor, (29.6 x 42cm)

scene of the central plaza which opened to the sky with colorful umbrellas suspended above the mall, pencil and watercolor crayons, (29.6 x 42cm)

Mecenatpolis complex buildings viewed from outdoor garden, pencil, (36 x 51cm)

.
On Monday of this week, despite the cold weather, usk Seoul members met at Mecenatpolis Mall nearby Hapjeong Subway Station. Mecenatpolis is one of the most famous landmark complex buildings within sight of the Han River. I have visited this attractive location several times to sketch various drawings. I enjoyed and sketched the interesting spaces among buildings, soft curves of the colorful walls and decorations embroidered on the shopping mall. Although it was very windy and cold outdoors, various sketching materials made me forget about the cold. Thank you for all the participants including new comers!
------------------------------------
직선과 곡선의 하모니, 사람과 도시의 스케일과 대비감,
닫힘에서 열림으로 이어지는 자유로운 공간의 흐름~~
차거운 유리빌딩 속에서도 인간적 풍요로움이 배어있는,
번잡한 도시속에 스케치를 위한 열린 콘서트 무대 같습니다.

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)

.
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.
--------------------------------
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)

.
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.
------------------------------------------
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.