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Astrophotography and Sketching >> Sketching

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kraterkid
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Reged: 03/07/05

Loc: Jacumba, California
Clay sculptural sketch of Archimedes and environs
      #3251740 - 08/02/09 04:12 AM

Hi folks,

Here's my latest "sketch" in the Lunar Observing Forum.


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kraterkid
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Reged: 03/07/05

Loc: Jacumba, California
Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: kraterkid]
      #3293645 - 08/25/09 04:50 PM

I finally got a cheap webcam so I could do a fly over of my clay sketch of Archimedes and environs, here is "Landing in Archimedes" . Please forgive the shaky grip and bad lighting.

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rolandlinda3
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Re: Clay sculptural sketch of Archimedes and environs new [Re: kraterkid]
      #3293925 - 08/25/09 07:14 PM

Rich, looks beautiful to me. Kept going back. Kept smiling.

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kraterkid
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Loc: Jacumba, California
Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: rolandlinda3]
      #3293958 - 08/25/09 07:29 PM

Thanks Roland,

Just wish the lens housing was smaller so I could get a view closer to the surface, a little closer to what it would look like if you were surveying the scene from the surface.


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JayinUT
I'm not Sleepy
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Reged: 09/19/08

Loc: Utah
Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: kraterkid]
      #3294047 - 08/25/09 08:13 PM

Rich,

I will be unoriginal but simply amazing. I love the use of light on the sculpture and the effect it has. Love it! Are you going to do more?


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frank5817
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Reged: 06/13/06

Loc: Illinois
Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: JayinUT]
      #3294080 - 08/25/09 08:37 PM

Rich,

You could have told us you were tired of waiting for NASA to return to the moon so you took it upon yourself to just go there. Really, really cool stuff Rich. How large is this clay model and is it light enough to move?
When you get some more time I wish you would continue with these sculptures. This is very impressive.

Frank


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kraterkid
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Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: frank5817]
      #3294167 - 08/25/09 09:19 PM

Thanks Jay and Frank!

Jay, I'm working on one now of the Montes Riphaeus that is about twice this size. Then I'm planning on doing a huge clay sculpture of Mare Nectaris, but expect that one to take several observing sessions to fully complete. I'll be doing fly overs of each when I finish the reliefs.

Frank, sketching the Moon using modeling clay is such a kick and the added benefit of being able to adjust the lighting later to simulate different lunar days is incredible. Add to that the fun of playing with the webcam trying to keep the field of view within the model in order to create a movie and I think you can see how addictive this can become. The model is 13" x 11" and weighs about 8 pounds.

I'm hoping to try some new techniques of guiding the webcam along the viewing trajectory to make all the motions as smooth as possible. Any suggestions from folks who have tried similar projects would be greatly appreciated.


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Tommy5
Carpal Tunnel


Reged: 03/28/04

Loc: Chicagoland
Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: kraterkid]
      #3294190 - 08/25/09 09:29 PM

That is very ,very, cool thanks for sharing.

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kraterkid
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Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: Tommy5]
      #3294215 - 08/25/09 09:36 PM

Thanks Tommy!

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Jef De Wit
Carpal Tunnel


Reged: 03/06/09

Loc: Hove, Belgium
Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: kraterkid]
      #3295736 - 08/26/09 02:52 PM

Rich, I'm deeply impressed. I send your piece of art to the mailing list of my astroclub. In a post some days ago I asked it was possible to work in 3-D. I think your model is a definitive answer!

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Aldebaran
super member


Reged: 09/30/06

Loc: Turku, Finland
Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: Jef De Wit]
      #3295770 - 08/26/09 03:03 PM

Wow, very impressive work, Rich! It's amazing how accurately you have rendered all the details in that area of the Moon!

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kraterkid
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Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: Aldebaran]
      #3296185 - 08/26/09 06:17 PM

Thanks so much Jef and Juha!

This kind of sketch, although it does take some preparation, is very rewarding. I think anyone who can sketch the Moon can create a clay sketch. Just takes a little practice and time at the scope. I'm waiting for the right lighting to start my next one, but I am so excited about doing it again.


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perfessor
professor emeritus


Reged: 12/30/07

Loc: Northern Illinois
Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: kraterkid]
      #3296829 - 08/26/09 11:41 PM

Rich, that's awesome. I want to see more!

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kraterkid
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Loc: Jacumba, California
Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: perfessor]
      #3297604 - 08/27/09 11:30 AM

Thanks Tom!

I'll definitely be doing more clay sketches and fly overs with the webcam, they have actually opened a whole new way of looking at the Moon for me. I enjoy the challenge of interpreting the topography at the eyepiece from the shadows cast and the sculpting of the model on the spot. I really want to encourage others to give this a try, it is a real kick!


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GlennLeDrew
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Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: kraterkid]
      #3299131 - 08/28/09 01:53 AM

Neat!

As a first attempt at getting smoother motions for your fly-throughs, how about creating a 'track' from stiff wire (such as hanger wire, as can be found in any DIY store). The scale of your models is small enough that the supports may need only be a post at each end of the 'track'. The webcam could hang by a simple loop of (not-so-stiff) wire, the loop being just large enough to allow some degree of rotation for those creativs pans while 'flying'.

It would still require some steadiness on your part, but at least one degree of freedom would be made smoother.

I'd love to see more of this!!


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kraterkid
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Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: GlennLeDrew]
      #3299760 - 08/28/09 11:30 AM

Thanks Glenn!

Great idea, I wasn't able to locate any stiff wire around the house, so I tried another technique. I affixed the webcam to the end of a long wooden dowel and slowly moved the model around underneath it. it's still a little jerky, but it's a big improvement over my first efforts. Here's the new video, "Flying over Archimedes and environs" . I'm going to try your suggestions when I get a chance to pick up the right guide wire. A friend of mine wants to try mounting the webcam to a battery powered motor from a toy car and enable the cam to ride the wire loop. How exciting and addictive this has become!


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frank5817
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Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: kraterkid]
      #3300947 - 08/28/09 10:09 PM

Rich,

Great work! The close up detail in this model is fantastic. The videocam doing the fly over simulation adds a whole new wonderful dimension to this clay model and its well made detailed appearance.


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kraterkid
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Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: frank5817]
      #3301119 - 08/29/09 12:06 AM

Thanks Frank!

This is such a cool way to sketch. I thought I'd try one of Copernicus and environs soon, maybe tomorrow night or the next, then I'm going to do one of the Montes Ripheaus. I want to do something larger because it's easier to keep the webcam within the area of the model. I've got enough clay to do one 20" x 20". I'm just not sure I'll be able to do that in one session. I learned a new trick too. I use 1/2" thick Elmers foam core board and lay a 1/4" thick clay layer over it. I discovered that if you take a wet sponge and coat one side of the core board with it, it causes the board to become concave on one side and convex on the other. This is perfect because it simulates the radius of curvature of the Moon. So the next model will have the benefit of this added dimension as well, something I am eager to incorporate into these clay sketches.


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Special Ed
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Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: kraterkid]
      #3302554 - 08/29/09 07:43 PM

Rich,

You have kicked imaging and sketching up a whole notch with these sculptures--absolutely fascinating. Don't be too modest--this not something just anyone could do. What is needed is a good eye, good hands, and a thorough knowledge of Luna.

I hope you have submitted your sculptures to LPOD.


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frank5817
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Re: "Landing in Archimedes": the motion picture new [Re: Special Ed]
      #3302605 - 08/29/09 08:17 PM

Michael,

Check out the LPOD for August 2, 2009. You have been very busy getting ready for school and missed it.

Frank


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