Almost exactly a year ago I made a sketch of M51. At that time, I said to myself: That's it, this is your best work.
After a few days with African dust in the air, rain came and turned mush, milky skies into perfectly clear.
Rain did a really good job because my usual observing location was unusually dark. With SQM it measured 21.35 instead of usual 21.1-21.2mpas.
I've pointed my telescope to M51, and I was dumbfounded. There it was, perfectly outlined spiral arms of M51 with many fine knots, ebbs, bays, prongs etc... Although I have, like, half dozen sketches of M51, I had to do another one.
While making field notes and drawing details, I didn't have impression that there was so much more details visible in 20" when compared with 12". Only when I placed sketches side by side, it became clear to me how much better is view in larger telescope.
Also, I've learned a few new tricks for drawing, and now it is much easier to achieve that milky look of nebulous objects. All in all, this is my new best work ever on M51.
Thanks for watching, clear skies.