A Week in Big Apple

I visited New York to attend a trade show as an exhibitor. Wanting to make time for myself especially for art-related inspiration, I booked my flight three days before my boss was scheduled to arrive. This journal is a collection of the sketches and moments I captured on that trip.
I mainly used acrylic markers, watercolor, ballpoint pen, and fountain pen in a handmade squared panorama sketchbook. I combined various papers, including black paper and hot-pressed and cold-pressed cotton watercolor paper. I also used a hand-sewn A4 sketchbook with a mix of watercolor paper, black paper, and colored paper.

This is the entire panorama book I made for myself.

1-2.
On the day of departure, a friend of mine also had a flight from Incheon, so we planned to have breakfast together in the airport’s duty-free area. While I waited for her, I started sketching, sitting in front of a large window, watching the airplane I would soon board. Urban sketching is one of the best ways to pass the time.

3.
During the 14-hour flight, I worked a little, watched Barry on HBO and the Disney movie Elemental, had three meals, and sketched in between. Even though it was a direct flight, no matter how I tried to pass the time, it still felt endless.

4.
I arrived at JFK during the day. Instead of taking an Uber, I chose the subway to get to my hotel in Times Square, Manhattan. On the train, I saw a beautiful family, an interracial couple with a newborn baby. The grandparents adored the baby, never taking their eyes off her, even when a group of performers started dancing to loud music in the middle of the train.

5.
I had some time before checking into the hotel, so I found a nearby café, sat by the window, and enjoyed the way the sunlight fell across the street.

6.
The next morning, I woke up early craving breakfast from a classic diner. I searched on Google and walked to New York Luncheonette. All the staff there spoke Spanish, and I realized they were likely from Latin America. I had just started learning Spanish two months earlier, so I enjoyed eavesdropping on their conversations while I sketched. I couldn’t understand much, as a Level 3 Duolingo learner, but it was still fun to listen.

7.
On the way back to the hotel, I noticed 7th Avenue was lined with food trucks. I decided to get lunch from one of them. One truck stood out. It was loud and full of energy, serving Latin American food. A man shouted, “Arepa, arepa”, and then repeated “arepareparepa!” and others chimed in, calling out “Empanada! Chicharrón!” The sound was impossible to ignore, so I gave in and tried an arepa. It was a corn flour pancake filled with cheese. I wasn’t a big fan of the taste, but I loved the vibe of the truck, so I did a quick sketch.

8.
There were a few places I really wanted to visit and maybe spend time sketching. One of them was the iconic brownstone buildings. Since I was already near Central Park, walking along 7th Avenue, I decided to head toward Central Park West and down to West 87th Street. It was a peaceful neighborhood, with a small, secluded park tucked between the buildings. I was impressed by how well the park was maintained and had a brief history posted for visitors. It explained that the space had once been the site of a demolished brownstone, and the community had worked to preserve it for the neighborhood. There was a little bird pond where birds bathed and drank. I loved how the sunlight filtered through the leaves and touched the edges of the brownstone. I stayed as long as I could, enjoying the beautiful day.

9.
The following day was the New York Urban Sketchers meetup at Domino Park, hosted by Marvel. I had been looking forward to this. I woke up early, dropped by Lily’s crepe store, and ordered a chicken wrap to go. While I waited for my food, I sketched the Staples sign across the street. When I arrived at Domino Park in Brooklyn, the temperature felt more like autumn than June. The wind from the East River was chilly, so I wrapped myself in my jacket. Still, I loved the river and the calming ambient sounds of the park. I sat by the water and tried to immerse myself in the scene.

I couldn’t see any sketchers nearby, but I had badges from Goyang Urban Sketchers and Seoul Urban Sketchers on my bag. Someone came up and asked if I was here to sketch. That was Kara. She became my sketch buddy for the day. We chose the Williamsburg Bridge as our subject. It wasn’t easy. The proportions and perspective were tricky. Urban sketching isn’t about getting everything perfect, but it’s hard to ignore mistakes. My bridge looked a bit crooked, like it might collapse, but Kara encouraged me to keep going.

10.
After I finished one sketch, I started another from the view behind where I sat. Domino Park was beautifully organized, with locals enjoying all kinds of activities on the grass. The complex structure of the Williamsburg Bridge stood in contrast to the park’s peaceful atmosphere.

11.
After a short break, we decided to sketch the old Domino Sugar factory building. Kara told me it had been repurposed into office space. I loved the original Domino logo, so we picked a spot near a small fountain and started sketching. As I focused on the drawing, I sensed someone quietly watching us. It turned out the person was connected to Dr. Chung, who had once worked for the Domino Sugar Company. That day, former employees were gathering for a small reunion. They shared stories and memories with us, and they loved our art. They even asked to take photos with us. It was a great day.
After the session, we had a show-and-tell in the Domino Square. I loved how diverse the methods and styles were in the New York Urban Sketchers group, and how warmly everyone welcomed each other and listened carefully to each person’s own journey that day.

12.
The New York City subway has its own charm, despite its notorious reputation for being dirty, loud, and sometimes even dangerous. Every time I step off the train, I love how each station features its own unique mosaic tilework.

13.
The next day was for work preparation. My boss had arrived, and we went to set up our display for the trade show. Afterward, I wandered the city and stopped at one of my favorite places, Bryant Park. There was a large event taking place in the courtyard of the public library. I sat behind the stage near the fountain and started sketching. It was around 6:30 p.m., and staff were preparing to close the park. I didn’t have time to add color to the sketch because I had to leave. Later, I found out that Mel from New York Urban Sketchers had been sketching at the same spot but left just before I arrived. It would’ve been great if our timing had lined up.

14.
On my way back to the hotel, I sat in Times Square, observing the NYPD as they secured the area. While sketching a patrol car, I witnessed someone getting pulled over because their license plate was not visible.

15.
Near the corner by my hotel, I stopped to sketch a gyro stand. One of the familiar sights in New York. I liked its bright colors and the variety of dishes on the menu. I completed the sketch back at the hotel.

16.
While I was in the hotel lobby, I saw CNN commentators in conversation. The topic displayed on screen was titled “Conspiracy Nation.” According to the segment, president Donald Trump claimed that former president Joe Biden had actually been executed and replaced with a robot clone. What shocked me wasn’t just the conspiracy itself, but the fact that this post came from an account personally run by the president.

17.
The next day was the main event. This year’s show brought some of the most promising visitors we’d ever seen. Normally, my boss and I would celebrate a successful event over dinner, but that evening he had another important meeting.
Then, Mel messaged me asking if I wanted to join him for an after-work sketching session. The timing was perfect. Since I didn’t have dinner plans, I said yes. He suggested we meet at the Vessel and the High Line. thoughtfully picking a spot close to the Javits Center, where I had just finished work. Thankfully, I had my sketchbook and acrylic markers with me, so I didn’t need to stop by the hotel.

18.
Our first location was the Vessel. Its unique structure makes it difficult to sketch, with complex layers and reflections. I tried hard to capture its shape in my sketchbook, without messing it up—but it was tough not to feel pressure. Mel echoed something Kara had told me earlier: “You’re the one who notices the mistakes. Just let it go and keep sketching.” He was right. I was obsessing over the accuracy. But in the end, I let go of perfection, and the finished piece looked good.

19.
Next, we moved to the High Line. Mel showed me a great view where we could watch the trains at rest, with the Vessel framed between skyscrapers like a giant beehive. As we sketched, a man nearby took photos of the same view. Mel included him in his sketch. It turned out the man was also doing after-work art. That shared moment felt quietly connected.

20.
Our last sketching spot was also on the High Line, facing toward Penn Station. There we found a huge sculpture of a pigeon, an art installation called Dinosaur. It was witty and unexpected. We spent about half an hour sketching there. Afterward, we took a photo together and said our goodbyes, promising to sketch again next year when I return to the city. It was a really fun experience.

21.
On my last day in New York, after the trade show had ended, I sat by Pooley Pool, a public space with chairs and tables. Locals and visitors were gathered there, eating snacks and food from gyro carts.
I claimed a table and started sketching using the new acrylic markers I had bought. From my seat, I could glimpse the Empire State Building glowing in the dark. Across from me, a Fox News ticker flashed headlines, including one about a sudden deportation. It was a strange contrast. Quiet drawing, bustling night, surreal news.

New York City always has something happening, so much so that people seem numb to it all. That final sketch was the last page of my handmade panorama sketchbook. I was proud to have finished it.

Cho Jung (초) is an overseas marketer and enthusiastic urban sketcher based in South Korea – actively engaging in Goyang, Seoul, Cheonan urbansketchers.