kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast Rim
#3175302 - 06/21/09 09:03 PM
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My sketch of Plato and environs is now posted in the Lunar Observing Forum. It was my intention to sketch the regional view of this easily recoginized and well loved crater, taking in the wide arc of the Montes Alpes all the way past Vallis Alpes to end near Cassini. When I started my sketch at about 9:00 pm PDT the seeing was a rock steady Antoniadi I and for several minutes at a time!  This gave me ample opportunity to rapidly develop individual features and “freeze” the shadows by shading in key formations across the plane of the paper. The complexity of details in this area combined with perfect seeing conditions throughout the observing session drove me to continue past what would be advisable to accurately render the lighting, so I am somewhat apologetic to the purists among us (myself included on most nights) about the total time spent to finish the sketch. An hour is pressing it when you are right on the terminator, so I was grateful my subject was several degrees offset. The seeing was so fine that I often had the thought that I should be imaging instead. However, I pressed on, adding every detail I could see and finished the sketch at about 1:00 am PDT, feeling exhausted but exhilarated that I was able to catch this wonderful area. Despite nearly four hours sketching, however, I still was not capable of rendering all the detail that I observed, especially in the mare areas.
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frank5817
Postmaster
Reged: 06/13/06
Loc: Illinois
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast Rim
[Re: kraterkid]
#3175346 - 06/21/09 09:40 PM
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Rich,
I am OK now. I must have fainted when I looked at this chiseled sketching masterpiece. This is the best lunar sketch I have ever seen. I can't believe how wonderful this looks. It is amazing what you have captured here at the eyepiece in one sitting. The lunar sketchers and imagers will tip their hats to this work of stunning sketching.
How great would it be to have seeing like this every lunar night. It looks like everything went just perfect during this rendering.
I do hope you send this sketch to LPOD, I can see the look on Chuck Wood's face as he fumbles for stronger reading glasses while scrutinizing this one.
Remarkable!!!!
Frank 
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: frank5817]
#3175383 - 06/21/09 10:07 PM
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Thank you so much for the very kind words about my sketch Frank!   I just hope I was able to do some justice to this exquisite piece of lunar landscape. While sketching, one thing kept running through my mind: "you are taking much too long to finish this!". I'm certain Chuck would instantly see my sketching errors and shortcomings, but I guess it would be nice to submit it and see what he thinks. Thanks again my friend!
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rd56
sage
Reged: 12/17/06
Loc: Central New Jersey
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: kraterkid]
#3175520 - 06/21/09 11:26 PM
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Rich,
I by no means have any skills at critiquing another's sketch. I have a difficult time depicting a double star  .
HOWEVER... despite my untrained eye, this has got to be the most beautiful, detailed, photographic-appearing, 'astro-Ansel-Adams-like work of art that I have seen to date.
Oh, and did I mention that I really like it  . I would love to produce something even remotely resembling the most simple lunar structure, but alas I completely lack the talent. So thank you for allowing me to see the beauty through your work.
Ron
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CarlosEH
Postmaster
Reged: 01/19/05
Loc: Pembroke Pines, Broward County...
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: rd56]
#3175542 - 06/21/09 11:39 PM
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Rich,
A fantastic and highly accurate observation of Plato and environs. You have captured Plato and the complex lunar terrain impressively. The Alpine Valley and the mountains are perfect. Thank you for sharing this work of art with us all. I look forward to your future observations. Please stay well.
Carlos
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: CarlosEH]
#3175704 - 06/22/09 02:21 AM
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Thank you so much Ron and Carlos!
Ron, I believe that sketching the Moon is possible for anyone to learn to do well. What is important is the willingness to get out there and try. Learning to sketch has much more to do with desire than artistic talent. Sure it helps to start with talent, but I can't tell you how many I've seen fail simply because they defeat themselves at the outset. You'll find that even simple sketches have immense value in their power to remind you of the observing session. And I'm talking about simple line drawings, nothing complex and shaded. As Michael Rosolina (Special Ed) stated so succinctly in a recent post in the Lunar Observing Forum:
“Astrosketches don't have to be art, although they can sometimes rise to that lofty status. They do need to be as good a visual record as you can make....”.
So I say start where you feel comfortable and make your sketches simple and your targets easy to draw. Don’t worry about making them works of art, just simple and as accurate as you can. Eventually they will get to be better representations, but always keep in mind that they are personal records, whether you can choose to reveal them to others or keep to yourself.
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perfessor
professor emeritus
Reged: 12/30/07
Loc: Northern Illinois
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: kraterkid]
#3176099 - 06/22/09 11:26 AM
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Rich, thanks for sharing a wonderful sketch. In addition to what others have said, I want to thank you for the dramatic descriptions of the features, and the processes that created them. It really brings the sketch to life!
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: perfessor]
#3176140 - 06/22/09 11:47 AM
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Thanks Tom!
Writing the sketch commentary is a source of great pleasure for me. Typically I spend several hours researching the features before I start to pull it all together, so it's very gratifying when people appreciate the descriptions.
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Special Ed
Postmaster
Reged: 05/18/03
Loc: Greenbrier Co., WV 38N, 80W
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: kraterkid]
#3176412 - 06/22/09 02:07 PM
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Rich, you da man!
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rodelaet
Post Laureate
Reged: 04/28/06
Loc: 50°56' N - 4°58' E (Belgium)
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast Rim
[Re: kraterkid]
#3176607 - 06/22/09 03:41 PM
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Rich,
I feel very fortunate and proud to know a few great lunar sketchers in my short life. Your sketches are among the best things I've ever seen, my friend.
This is a magnificent work of art. It looks as if the features can be touched by hand on my screen.
I wish you plenty of sketching opportunities to share with us, oh yes!
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rd56
sage
Reged: 12/17/06
Loc: Central New Jersey
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: kraterkid]
#3176783 - 06/22/09 05:22 PM
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Quote:
Ron, I believe that sketching the Moon is possible for anyone to learn to do well.....
Rich
Thank you for the advice. I may just give it a try! (if I finally get to see the sky through all of the rain that we've been having).
Ron
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: rd56]
#3176890 - 06/22/09 06:47 PM
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Thanks for the very kind words Michael, Rony and Ron!
Michael, ahh shucks! You may not be aware of this but I've learned so much from you over the years here at the CN fora. Thanks so much my friend.
Rony, Your brilliant sketches are a constant source of admiration and inspiration for me. 
Ron, I'm delighted to hear that!
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frank5817
Postmaster
Reged: 06/13/06
Loc: Illinois
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: kraterkid]
#3177267 - 06/22/09 10:18 PM
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Rich,
I was so captivated by this sketch that I did not read your narrative until after I commented on just the sketch.
I would like to echo what Tom so nicely said above about your write-up.
I think you have conveyed here more than a great sketch and exceptional narrative. You placed a piece of yourself in this work.
Frank
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: frank5817]
#3177348 - 06/22/09 10:58 PM
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Thank you so much Frank!
I deeply appreciate your very kind words about my sketch and narrative. Coming from a dear friend and Master Lunar sketcher, it is such an honor. Thank you once again.
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rolandlinda3
Post Laureate
Reged: 01/24/06
Loc: Crozet VA 22932
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast Rim
[Re: kraterkid]
#3178241 - 06/23/09 01:34 PM
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As I said on the other forum, this is one excellent sketch. Roland
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: rolandlinda3]
#3178276 - 06/23/09 01:53 PM
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Thank you so much Roland!
All the conditions lined up for this one, I doubt I'll see another night like it for quite some time.
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markseibold
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/19/08
Loc: Portland Oregon
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast Rim
[Re: kraterkid]
#3178844 - 06/23/09 07:09 PM
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Rich
A beautiful work of sketch art again from you. Also as usual, I like your very inspired and poetic text report as a fine addition to accompany your art work. I know this requires great effort and concentration.
You've inspired me to do some close-up work as the moon waxes in the coming days and the weather improves here in Portland now; if I am up to it.
Thanks for sharing this excellent post,
Mark
www.markseibold.com
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kraterkid
Post Laureate
Reged: 03/07/05
Loc: Jacumba, California
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: markseibold]
#3179207 - 06/23/09 10:48 PM
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Thank you Mark!
I'm very happy that you enjoyed the text, I find that as time goes on I enjoy the research aspect almost as much as I do the sketch! It's when I learn about the forces and processes that formed the feature and it's environment that I get a much clearer idea about what it is that I'm observing/rendering.
I'm very much looking forward to your next sketch Mark, and based upon everything I've seen from your talented hand it will be stunning!
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frank5817
Postmaster
Reged: 06/13/06
Loc: Illinois
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: kraterkid]
#3183957 - 06/26/09 12:32 PM
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Rich,
Do you find your average seeing conditions better now that you have relocated to Jacumba?
Frank
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JimPie
sage
Reged: 11/10/07
Loc: S.E.Michigan
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Re: Plato and environs: Mare Imbrium’s Northeast R
[Re: frank5817]
#3184065 - 06/26/09 01:34 PM
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Rich
Incredible drawing.
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