Astronomical Sketching: A Step-by-Step Introduction

If you have ever gazed through the eyepiece of a telescope at the magnificent rings and banded globe of Saturn, or found yourself breathless at the sight of long shadows jutting across crater floors on the terminator of the Moon, then you will understand the power of those direct visual experiences. You are present at a unique event, a connection between a part of the cosmos, your eye and brain. Sketching preserves this tie with direct observation because it allows the observer to spend time at the eyepiece surveying the object intimately while drawing. This personal experiential relationship to celestial objects differentiates astronomical sketching from photographic or CCD imaging. Sketching is an excellent way to record personal encounters with the celestial wonders, because as you are drawing, you are training your eye to perceive ever greater detail, taking the fullest advantage of your telescope's light grasp and resolution. Moreover, astronomical sketches can be artwork in themselves, for display and decoration in the home or observatory.

Despite the fact that there are a wide variety of drawing media and techniques, there exists no comprehensive treatment of the subject of astronomical sketching. This book will present the amateur with fine examples of astronomical sketches and step-by-step tutorials in each medium, including pencil, pen and ink, chalks and pastels, painting and computer graphics programs. This unique book can teach almost anyone to create beautiful sketches of celestial objects by following simple, illustrated, step-by-step instructions.

Readers can select a chapter related to their preferred class of object, and rapidly learn techniques in several media. Each chapter contains useful information regarding equipment, types of telescope and eyepiece combinations, techniques for preserving and archiving sketches, and suggestions for accurate record keeping.

• CCD
• astronomy art
• astronomy books
• planet drawings
• sketching nature

From the reviews:

"Sketching is the best way to train the eye for visual observation and it enhances an observer’s enjoyment of the night sky. This book is aimed at those who would like to discover and develop sketching techniques. The five experienced authors describe their areas of specialty, with chapters on sketching the Moon, comets, the Sun, planets, star clusters, nebulae and galaxies. … In all, it’s a super book." (Peter Grego, BBC Sky at Night, December, 2007)

Richard Handy, principally noted for his lunar sketchwork, studied Art and Astrophysics at the University of California Santa Cruz. He currently runs a small Internet based astronomy company and spends his cloudless evenings sketching the Moon and other celestial objects from his home in San Diego, California. Rich very actively supports observational sketching and is a
regular, enthusiastic contributor and supporter of a number of online astronomy forums.

David Moody has been observing the skies since age 11. During that time, he also somehow managed to become a CPA, teach at a university for a few years, and work as a magazine editor for several years. He has given several lectures and talks on subjects ranging from emerging stars to emerging business technologies. He is s past member of the Pontchartrain Astronomical Society and a current member of the Texas Astronomical Society and can be found every year at the Texas Star Party trying to observe galaxies with averted imagination.

Jeremy Perez has worked as a graphic artist since 1990. He maintains a web site that focuses on astronomical sketching as a means of recording visual observations and has had some of his sketches published in Sky and Telescope Magazine. He is a member of the Astronomical League, and currently serves as vice president of the Coconino Astronomical Society.

Erika Rix resides in Zanesville, Ohio where she owns a small business. She is a member of the Columbus Astronomical Society and volunteers her time as a moderator for the Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews forum. Despite having only been active as an amateur astronomer for a little over a couple of years, her lunar and solar studies progressed quickly through observational sketching and her work has been published on various Internet sites.

Sol Robbins has been a professional gallery artist and magazine illustrator since the late 1970's. He has been an avid observer for over 40 years. His sketches ofthe planets have appeared in magazines, books and used in scientific research publications.

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