On a crisp Monday morning, I headed to Ullimsanbang Villa and Garden on Jindo Island, South Korea. Having recently enjoyed a successful plein air session at Baekyangsa, I was eager to capture the beauty of this historic site. As we arrived, we were greeted by playful kittens, a promising start to the day.
The villa and garden, once home to the renowned Joseon Dynasty painter Heo Ryeon, were impeccably maintained. The serene koi pond, nestled at the base of a colorful mountain, provided the perfect inspiration for my painting. I set up my easel, determined to capture the intricate lines of the hanok and the tranquil atmosphere. Hanoks are notoriously tricky structures to paint with all of their vertical and horizontal lines that you have to get just right. I think I painted and repainted the building at least four times in the first 30 minutes.
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Unfortunately, the wind picked up, making it difficult to concentrate. Thank goodness my plein air easel by En Plein Air Pro is extremely sturdy, so I wasn't too worried about anything getting blown away, but I was getting cold! Despite the challenging conditions, I persevered, determined to complete my painting. My husband, ever supportive, patiently waited as I battled the elements. Eventually, the biting wind(and thoughts of a warm meal) forced me to call it a day.
Before leaving, we explored the garden a bit more and stumbled upon a charming art gallery showcasing traditional Korean Minhwa. While I wasn't entirely satisfied with my painting, the experience offered valuable lessons about painting in challenging conditions, and I was able to finish the piece from the comfort of my warm studio. 