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chascar
sage
Reged: 02/14/05
Posts: 315
Loc: Franklin Massachusetts
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Drawing for the newbie in our hobby is a great introduction for several reasons. The first being that a very modest investment is needed to get started. Secondly it will instill the desire to see more which is what it is all about. The better and more acurately you see through the telescope the more likely you will keep using it, and encourge others to do so as well. Lastly there is an instant return on your efforts and they can be extremely rewarding. Another positve point especially for those of us with kids is it gives them somthing to work at and improve on while keeping their hands off our ccd imaging equipment. If anyone is interested I'll follow up with a basic drawing kit.
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Charles
42.1N 71.4W Member Skyscrapers Inc.
Meade 628/f8 w 80mm guide
Meade ETX 90 EC
Tasco 9TE-5
Swift 7x50 Seahawks
Nikon 10x35 6.6 WF
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Ron B[ee]
Tyro
Reged: 04/27/03
Posts: 4719
Loc: CA
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Excellent reasoning, indeed! I'd also like to throw one more reason in as well. And that is, the sketch serves as permanent record of our observation. Although words are really nice, when I went back to my 2001 Mars observation records (text only then), I can't fully remember now how the view looked like (especially with my 4KB of memory ;)) back then. In 2003 Mars apparition, I did many sketches and now the adage of "a picture is worth a 1000 words" ring real true ;).
Ron B[ee]
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5-inch Tele Vue NP127 APO 
4-inch Tele Vue TV-102 APO 
8-inch f/6 Discovery PDHQ Dob 
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desertstars
Deja moo
Reged: 11/05/03
Posts: 30057
Loc: Tucson, AZ
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Give us your input regarding a basic kit. Since this forum is just getting started, that would be a very nice contribution.
Welcome to Cloudy Nights!
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Tom W.
SVP8 'She turned me into a 3-legged Newt' EQ
Ralph, the All-Purpose 102mm Refractor
Under the Desert Stars
Alcohol and calculus do not mix. Please don't drink and derive.
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Sol Robbins
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 12/01/03
Posts: 1540
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Hi All,
I don't know if a picture is worth 1000 words, but it sure beats trying to get all the nomenclature strung out correctly.
Before I presented sketches, written descriptions of locations of certain features would verge on gibberish. Lets face it, planet features don't have familiar names. Once you get to the point that you've written something like " Small condensation seen just following the CM in the SStB which was preceded by an elongated oval in the SStrz that had a plume arching toward the following side but not quite touching the SPR", gets to be a little too much at 3 o'clock in the morning.
I believe the real rationale of drawing makes you see better is comparative. No matter what your drawing ability is, you are always comparing what you see to what you are sketching. After a short time you start to split hairs. In this sense the merits of drawing is not about making art. It may be about making an abbreviated diagram.
Regarding planetary drawings, I can mention Carlos Hernandez and Eric Jamison. Completely different looking renditions while at the same time many details rendered in correct proportions and positions.
Same for Ron B and host of other great observers. When things get to this level, equipment is secondary...., maybe tertiary.
I am glad this subject is getting its own forum space. Thanks to Tom T.
Best, Sol Robbins
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Drawing does increase your observation skills in real life so I dont see why that would not also apply to viewing stars/planets/ect. One of the more common problem faced by folks when frist learing to draw is they dont spend enough time doing it. 30 to 45 min is what most beginners should spend on learning to draw or sketch. drawing is a right brain skill but your left brain wants to take over most tasks till it gets bored which takes about 30 to 45 min in a begnner. Once you have learned to let the right have control of drawing it only takes as little as 30 seconds to take over the task of drawing. many professional artists learn to switch back and forth without even know that they are doing it. for a much better explantion read the book Drawing on the right side of the brain by Betty Edwards. as well as being a well know teacher of art she has a background in neroscience
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Carol L
Reged: 07/05/04
Posts: 5880
Loc: Tomahawk, WI 45N//89W
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My reasons for sketching are listed in the 'Start with controversy' thread. Basically though, I think all of us sketch for a variety of reasons, ranging from verifying what we see in the eyepiece, to fulfilling a need to express the way we feel about what we've seen.
As mentioned by Sol we all have our own style, and some [like me] have variations within their style. Maybe the Moon allows more license though, because depending on the target and my mood, my sketches range from accurate details to playful renderings.
I read Betty's book quite a while ago, primarily because the left/right brain issue intrigued me and to be perfectly honest I still don't get it. But I think that's what happens when I 'fall into the eyepiece'... a very pleasant experience to say the least. I seem to slip into a surrealistic state of consciousness which somehow eludes me when sketching anything else except the Moon.. go figure. Not for lack of trying though, because I've tried to slip into it while sketching flowers and people but the flowers look like amoebae and the people resemble Gumby. But that's ok because I'm really not interested in drawing flowers or people. Maybe if I'd had art lessons it would be easier to do, I don't know. But since sketching flowers and people doesn't interest me, there wouldn't be any point in taking lessons now.
This brings up a question though. If I began to fall into the eyepiece without even knowing it was possible, why can't I fall into a flowerbed just as easily? Without training, does there need to be a true love of what you're sketching in order for it to come out looking half way decent?
Is creativity inborn or is it developed.. or both?
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 *Step-by-Step Lunar Sketching*
CN Gallery
Photo Gallery
8"SCT ~ 120achro ~ 90Mak ~ 80ST ~ 11x70s ~ 22x100s
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Anonymous
Unregistered
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Carol, In response to your last question, is you can.
 many artists learn this without thought or formal training. I guess the idea I was trying to convey is that drawing and seeing are skills. The more you draw the better you get. Creativity is a combo of skill and imagination both which can developed by use.
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chascar
sage
Reged: 02/14/05
Posts: 315
Loc: Franklin Massachusetts
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In resp[once to carol I would say I saw your gallery link and would say that I am a mere novice in comparison you photo work and lunar sketches are truely inspiring
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Charles
42.1N 71.4W Member Skyscrapers Inc.
Meade 628/f8 w 80mm guide
Meade ETX 90 EC
Tasco 9TE-5
Swift 7x50 Seahawks
Nikon 10x35 6.6 WF
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DenisY
Carpal Tunnel
Reged: 01/10/04
Posts: 2048
Loc: Canada / Montréal
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Galileo inspired me.... whoaaaa... I'm not that old but... When i saw his drawing i just wanted to record my observations also, i liked to compared my own drawings and see if i observed additional detail i mised on a previous observing night. Love astronomy!
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Denis
I wonder how would the world be different if
Einstein had never lived?
Visit my web site at...
My Astronomical Logbook
Check out
My Astronomical Gear
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Carol L
Reged: 07/05/04
Posts: 5880
Loc: Tomahawk, WI 45N//89W
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Thanks mistmouse, maybe I'll give Betty's book another go. 
Thank-you for your kind compliment, Charles! It's rewarding to know my work makes you smile.
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*Step-by-Step Lunar Sketching*
CN Gallery
Photo Gallery
8"SCT ~ 120achro ~ 90Mak ~ 80ST ~ 11x70s ~ 22x100s
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