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The plan was to try to do a quick sketch of a crater, but you know what they say about plans. I found a relatively empty crater to try to draw(or so I thought). I didn't know I was drawing Clavius at the time. I quickly realized that there's nothing quick about doing a sketch of the moon, and that there is more stuff up there than I ever imagined. I followed the moon across the entire sky, fixated on this one crater, I never ran out of little details to spot in there.

Needless to say, I had to leave a lot of details out of the sketch, and my camera butchered the quality. Doing this sketch really renewed my appreciation for the most spectacular, and most annoying object in the sky.

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Tenth Enemy

Very nice. Your first attempt is excellent. It reminds me of the sketches by some master artists in my old antique astronomy books. If you are not pleased with your cameras recording of the art, you can retry on the photo or adjust contrast a little in the saved computer image.

I think you covered allot of the sentiments above here that many of us experience. THat "you never ran out of small details" *See Sol Robbins words on page 88 of the Astronomical Sketching book as he comments on this (in detail). Specifically that you left out allot of the details, imagine trying for the whole lunar surface in just under two hours. Imagine that there is no law that demands as what to render and what to leave out. I try to encourage others in that, it is what we do at all and not so much what we do not do to finish. I think it is best that we make an effort to try at all, even if we consider it as only practice and unfinished. Yet we are always influenced by what we see others do to some degree. You can decide that as you go along.

You will begin to step back allot and look at the bigger picture. I know that this is intimidating for some to take on too much at first. Many artists after some practice will focus on a specific image or central theme allowing the edges to roll off with less detail or rather unfinished in the outer perimeter in many general artworks also aside from astronomy.

I like to focus on the terminator line because it seems to be where the eye goes for most observers with its stark shadows and light and well defined lines. But now, I also enjoy rendering the entire surface with so many varied lighting and surface features. Although the entire moon seems like allot to tackle, it can be thought of as a fun challenge to work up to after some practice. The moon has so much to offer in overall image and it is there for much of the month, easy to see in light polluted skies. *Refer to the Rich Handy Tutorials here in the site for guidance and encouragement.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing your next sketching efforts,

Mark

www.markseibold.com
My CN Sketch Gallery

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