Hi Phil,

And welcome to the sketching forum!!

I'm very pleased that you 'try your luck'. I'm quit surprised that this fine rendering is your first sketch. Well done.

It look very promising for your following sketches.

As for the subleties : I've had to learn to use multiple layers to build up the sketch. The starfield has a layer and the DSO'object another layer. The advantage is that every layer can be brightened or darkened, without influence on the other layer. Maybe you can try that also?

Phil, I just received my copy of your excellent book : Touring the universe through binoculars! And I'm very pleased with it. It will be my guide for the next month when I try to observe the milky way.

Phil, I really look forward to see more of your observations posted in the sketching forum.

Clear skies,