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.
At some time we have all gazed through the telescope eyepiece at the magnificent rings and banded globe of Saturn, or seen long shadows reaching across crater floors at the Moon's terminator - and wondered at the sheer beauty of the sight.
It seems almost anachronistic to think of sketching when CCD imaging is available, but astronomical sketching provides an entirely different and deeply personal experience. It means spending time at the eyepiece to really look at what you can see, training your eye to perceive ever greater detail to take the fullest advantage of your telescope's light grasp and resolution.
And of course, good astronomical sketches are artwork in themselves, for display and decoration in the home or observatory.
Astronomical Sketching is as an easy, step-by-step introduction to sketching celestial objects. It brings together five talented astronomical sketch artists, each of whom has a unique mastery of the media along with the ability to teach their own techniques.
Here is a wealth of knowledge, tips and techniques for every aspiring astronomical artist!
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)
