Sketching the Moon an Astronomical Artists Guide
Our book is available for pre order now
I am very pleased to be co author of Sketching the Moon an Astronomical Artists Guide
Our book is in the Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series
Our book is in the Patrick Moore Practical Astronomy Series
- Book is visually stunning, filled with many beautiful and inspiring works of art depicting the Moon
- Lively discussions and illustrated tutorials are included for every phase in the creation of a lunar sketch or painting
- Basic sketching techniques help novices ramp up to more sophisticated techniques quickly
- Available to order now on Amazon Click Here
On Moon Sketching a few words
Sinus Iridium in daylight pastel on black paper
200mm/25mm eyepiece July 9th 2007
“It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover to your surprise that you have rendered something in its true character. “
Camille Pissarro
When I sketch the moon, it feels like my hands move through my eyes.
My sight becomes my fingers and explores the lunar landscape.
My fingers mirror my sight and do their best to transport the images I love through pencil, pastel or conte to the page.
I often wish to touch the edges of craters, or plunge my hands deep into the lunar regolith.
Sometimes I imagine how it would be to sit in Mare Imbrium and look up at Montes Appenines.
I wonder how it would be to set up my scope there and sketch the Earth in all her colour against the blackness of space.
The learning experience of sketching celestial objects, is without doubt the best I have ever encountered.
I am learning the sky by observing, absorbing, and sketching it.
Why don't you have a go !
200mm/25mm eyepiece July 9th 2007
“It is only by drawing often, drawing everything, drawing incessantly, that one fine day you discover to your surprise that you have rendered something in its true character. “
Camille Pissarro
When I sketch the moon, it feels like my hands move through my eyes.
My sight becomes my fingers and explores the lunar landscape.
My fingers mirror my sight and do their best to transport the images I love through pencil, pastel or conte to the page.
I often wish to touch the edges of craters, or plunge my hands deep into the lunar regolith.
Sometimes I imagine how it would be to sit in Mare Imbrium and look up at Montes Appenines.
I wonder how it would be to set up my scope there and sketch the Earth in all her colour against the blackness of space.
The learning experience of sketching celestial objects, is without doubt the best I have ever encountered.
I am learning the sky by observing, absorbing, and sketching it.
Why don't you have a go !
Aristarchus region sketched by Deirdre Kelleghan. November 3rd 2006 18:00UT - 18:40 UT. Conte Crayons/ Conte Pastel Pencils/ Prismelo Water Colour Pencil B&W 300gm D R Paper. 200mm Reflector, 8mm TVP, f/6, 150X, Lunation 12.51 days. Bray, Co Wicklow Ireland Temp 2C - Seeing 2
This sketch was an experiment in pastel and conte greys on black paper. I felt it was a good approach as the media came in colours/grey tones very similar to the lunar surface as I saw it. I enjoy bringing light to a sketch, Aristarchus was glowing and its ray system shot out through the lunarscape announcing its presence. Drawing a 160 km U shaped valley with a pencil seems difficult but if you look closely enough you will delight at how little it appears from this Earth. This was such a satisfactory experiment; I decided it was worth developing further.
This sketch was an experiment in pastel and conte greys on black paper. I felt it was a good approach as the media came in colours/grey tones very similar to the lunar surface as I saw it. I enjoy bringing light to a sketch, Aristarchus was glowing and its ray system shot out through the lunarscape announcing its presence. Drawing a 160 km U shaped valley with a pencil seems difficult but if you look closely enough you will delight at how little it appears from this Earth. This was such a satisfactory experiment; I decided it was worth developing further.
On Lunar Sketching
I have discovered that to achieve a good sketch, you have to want it. You have to look at what you wish for in a way to observe it and absorb it. You must take a mental note of your target; this is the kind of thing I ask myself when I look at the moon for a sketch.
1. Where is the light coming from?
2. What kind of grey tones are on view?
3. Where are the dark areas and what shapes are they?
4. What is interesting and how will I achieve it?
5. Is there a bright area and how will I do it?
6. Where is the lunar drama tonight?
When you look at the moon, you must let it into your heart as well as your eye.
You must observe and absorb your target for good while before you begin to sketch.This is one of my telescopes it has an 8 inch mirror at its base. This mirror gathers the light from the moon or whateverI am looking at. This light is then sent to a second mirror closer to my eyepiece. When I focus and look in then I see the object I wish to sketch.With this telescope I have made most of the sketches on these pages.If you do not have a telescope you can still learn the sky through observing and sketching if you really want to.
1. Where is the light coming from?
2. What kind of grey tones are on view?
3. Where are the dark areas and what shapes are they?
4. What is interesting and how will I achieve it?
5. Is there a bright area and how will I do it?
6. Where is the lunar drama tonight?
When you look at the moon, you must let it into your heart as well as your eye.
You must observe and absorb your target for good while before you begin to sketch.This is one of my telescopes it has an 8 inch mirror at its base. This mirror gathers the light from the moon or whateverI am looking at. This light is then sent to a second mirror closer to my eyepiece. When I focus and look in then I see the object I wish to sketch.With this telescope I have made most of the sketches on these pages.If you do not have a telescope you can still learn the sky through observing and sketching if you really want to.
On Sketching Materials for lunar work
Here are some of the materials I use for lunar sketching. Good quality black paper Soft PastelsConte crayons Water colour pencils Fixative Spray
Cocktail sticks White gel pen Blending Stick
I am making a tutorial on moon sketching , it will be here soon.
Cocktail sticks White gel pen Blending Stick
I am making a tutorial on moon sketching , it will be here soon.
On Sketching With Friends
I enjoy collaborations with friends who also love sketching the sky
here is a side by side page with Jane Houston Jones Click to see them
May 22nd 2007 – Saturn / Moon Occultation
This image is a combined photograph and sketch from a collaboration between myself and sketching friend Sally Russell.
I was not expecting to catch a glimpse of Saturn in a daylight sky, no way was I ready for that amazing vision. In my first look there was the white ringed planet right in front of me, in a blue blue sky heading into the invisible limb of the moon.
I just had to try to capture it, in some way. Dee
200mm /10mm eyepiece – 120X 19:01UT
200mm / Binoviewer 20mm eyepieces/2X Barlow – 120X 20:09 UT
Soft Pastels/Quiling Needle
This image is the result of a post event collaboration with fellow astronomer Dee
First sight was through binoculars – the beautiful silver Moon in a baby blue sky, with Saturn an easily visible nearby pinprick of light. The low power telescopic view was breathtaking, the ghostly planet clearly visible against the cobalt sky. The first moment of disappearance was somehow unexpected – the lunar limb was completely invisible! Sally Russell
105mm F6 Astro-Physics Traveler on LXD55 mount
40mm camera projection eyepiece
Sony DSC-F505V
here is a side by side page with Jane Houston Jones Click to see them
May 22nd 2007 – Saturn / Moon Occultation
This image is a combined photograph and sketch from a collaboration between myself and sketching friend Sally Russell.
I was not expecting to catch a glimpse of Saturn in a daylight sky, no way was I ready for that amazing vision. In my first look there was the white ringed planet right in front of me, in a blue blue sky heading into the invisible limb of the moon.
I just had to try to capture it, in some way. Dee
200mm /10mm eyepiece – 120X 19:01UT
200mm / Binoviewer 20mm eyepieces/2X Barlow – 120X 20:09 UT
Soft Pastels/Quiling Needle
This image is the result of a post event collaboration with fellow astronomer Dee
First sight was through binoculars – the beautiful silver Moon in a baby blue sky, with Saturn an easily visible nearby pinprick of light. The low power telescopic view was breathtaking, the ghostly planet clearly visible against the cobalt sky. The first moment of disappearance was somehow unexpected – the lunar limb was completely invisible! Sally Russell
105mm F6 Astro-Physics Traveler on LXD55 mount
40mm camera projection eyepiece
Sony DSC-F505V