Astronomy Sketching

[ballaratdragons]

OK! I have given the sketching of Astro objects a go.

Here is my first attempt. It was fun.

Pic 1 shows my originals.
Then I photographed them and inverted them in PhotoShop.

Pic 2 shows a Glob
Pic 3 shows a Galaxy and comet.

Comments & Suggestions Welcome :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

you have done very well there mate! :thumbsup: it is not easy to draw, and i suffer from artisian adeptness :doh:

[ballaratdragons]

Houghy, I'm not happy with the Galaxy. I have to learn what they come out like when inverted and then work backwards from there when sketching.

As I don't have a suitable camera or tracking I will have to rely on my drawings.

Notice the diffraction spikes in the galaxy sketch! Lol! :D

[h0ughy]

Ken,

the best bit is that to make the drawings you had to study the subject for a long time. this means that you have a memory of the galaxy and that if you wish to become a supernova hunter you are well on your way Mr Dragons!! Congratulations. Your details and the memory you retain will help you no end. Look out Rev Evans and Brendon! :poke:

[ballaratdragons]

Whoever they are!

Thanks for the prezzie you sent down so I could do this :thumbsup:

[h0ughy]

http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/s665550.htm
and
http://www.tenagraobservatories.com/Interview%20of%20Robert%20Evans.htm l


and for Brendon

http://www.supernovae.net/1996x.htm


http://members.fortunecity.com/tfo1/

[ballaratdragons]

WOW! That guy has a brilliant memory for fine detail. I can remember what most galaxies I have seen look like but I don't think I can remember the fine detail of every one of them.

I could probably draw most of them from memory but if one of them changed I don't think I would notice straight away.

[h0ughy]

But at least you are developing a skill to last you the rest of your life. Hey by the time your hair completely falls out and you have no teath at least you will have the great memories of stardust :D . Thats unless the Oldtimers disease sets in :scared:

[fringe_dweller]

Nice one BD :thumbsup: the galaxy comet combo is a beauty - is that from a memory or is that artistic licence? the pencil is not dead!
Kearn

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks Kearn,

The Galaxy is from memory but the Comet is artistic licence. (bit of fun)

The pencil is back in action!!!!

[asimov]

:thumbsup: :thumbsup: Excellent work KEN!! Really good stuff. I'm Gonna have to pull my....pencil out & get crackin' to keep up with you! ;)

[ballaratdragons]

Thanks John.

Not all of us have the photographic gear needed to show what we see, so this is the next best thing.

I've just got to get used to drawing in the negative! :scared2:

Hurry up and show us your sketches. :thumbsup:

[Soldant]

Wow. That is outstanding. I wish I could sketch like that :(
Seriously, that's really cool. I especially love your glob sketch!

[RAJAH235]

Ken, your sketches are just great. Shows a real natural talent. Now I know you won't want any more inspiration, but........your Galaxy reminded me very much of this......
http://hiddenloft.darkhorizons.org/images/N4565afull.jpg
:D L.

[ballaratdragons]

hey Yeah! It does look similiar. Cool!

[ballaratdragons]

Here's one I did tonight.

This time, no pencils! I drew this one in PhotoShop. Not an easy program for sketching but I'm getting the hang of it.

Orion Neb.

[asimov]

Yep. I've tried this in my lil' micrografx piccy publisher. Pretty easy to do once you get the hang of it. Nice one Billy!....Err...Ken! :D

[ballaratdragons]

I still prefer pencil & paper though! Think I will go back to them. A mouse just doesn't do it for me.

[asimov]

I totally agree. I'd much rather lock myself in a room for a couple of hours & do some sketching than do it on the puter. Much more relaxing.

[ballaratdragons]

I would like to see some Astro sketches from other members!

[asimov]

Apart from you I & Darren, I don't know anyone else that sketches in here. But there's gotta be others that do it, considering we got 400 members!?

[asimov]

Here's 2 I did awhile back. No doubt you've seen em' before in last months challenge section. I was in a hurry, so they were coarsely done. Might spend some time re-doing them.

[ballaratdragons]

Cool John!!!!

I like the fading light haze from the centre of the glob.

Where they drawn during viewing or later on from memory?

[asimov]

The lagoon was done roughly at the EP & then added to from memory. The glob was straight out of my head. I reckon I've seen it enough times to remember it:D

Seeing I was banned from the computer all day by my wife.....I mucked about with the wirlpool....No I don't see it like this in my scopes lol.....sketched from a magazine.

[ballaratdragons]

Of course we all see it like that in our scopes John! :D

I do, don't you? :wink2:

[cahullian]

I tried this quick attempt of a spiral Galaxy using paint. Not very good but it was fun for a few mins.

[jjjnettie]

Great work with the sketching!!
I had my two boys (7+8yrs) out today sketching sun spots. They really enjoyed it. Maybe I'll get the eldest out practicing at night as well. Never too early or late to learn.

[ballaratdragons]

It is Fun!

Here's one from my imagination I just did.

[asimov]

:confuse3: No! I'm sure I saw that the other night Ken? Right next to the lil' glob to the left of Neptune? Called NGC 243/8765N-7.09876543221

[ballaratdragons]

Hahaha! You've been sniffing pencil fumes again John!

Laurie told me about a good graphics program called Dogwaffle. I downloaded it and tried it on the pic above. It is easier than Photoshop for some graphics.

I wouldn't rely on it when I go to draw exactly what I see through an EP, that belongs in the pencil & paper realm. But dogwaffle seems fun for creative arty stuff.

[asimov]

I think it's the resin in the cheap pine pencils on the market these dayz that does it to me? I spose I could always just give up smoking them.....

[gaa_ian]

Asimov ... they are great sketches
Is that Omega Centuri ?
It looks like I saw it through "Astro Souths" 12.5 inch Dob !

[asimov]

Thanks Ian. Yes, it was originally Omega centauri, but I figure it can double as NGC 104 as well..:D

[gaa_ian]

Ahh yes .... now I have gone back to July posts I see
It my have been the "Starfish" Glob. I saw with Astrosouths dob.
They alll look so good with 12.5" in aperture, hard to remember which was which !

[dhumpie]

Very nice sketches John and Ken. I will have to work doubly hard now to get up to standard :)

Darren

[ballaratdragons]

Darren, No standards here mate! Just draw what you see (or remember).

There is no prize for best drawing. I have seen some fairly terrible drawings printed in Magazines and books. They were printed because they were drawings of objects, not because they were works of art :thumbsup:

[ving]

hey, i had no idea you were so good ken! gret drawings... i'd be happy with half the talent

[ballaratdragons]

It's not that hard David, you probably have way more than half the talent.

Just draw what you see and then invert it to negative in PhotShop or elsewhere.

You will be suprised at how they come out, give it a go!

[ving]

ok, i'll give it a shoty soon.... maybe....
might have a go at something simple like the ring neb.

[ballaratdragons]

David, if you do a neb, to get the nebulous effect rub the pencil sketch with your finger. Smudge it a bit, and then for objects like the ring neb just lightly draw the edges back in after smudging :thumbsup:

[ballaratdragons]

Here I have placed a pic of the original drawing of the Galaxy & comet drawing I did.

Notice how the galaxy is mainly smudged pencil. Stars come out good if you have a black fine-tip felt pen or similiar as the darker they are the brighter they will be when the drawing is inverted to negative.

Give it a go.

[RAJAH235]

Hiya all, Nice sketching by you guys. Ken, I see that you've finally tried 'Dogwaffle'. Looked great when I visited their site. Loads of features.... 3D effect is very good.
:D L.

[ballaratdragons]

Laurie,

It is a great graphics program! Thank you for recommending it! And it's FREE folks!

Just google for dogwaffle.

[RAJAH235]

:thumbsup: Ken.
Or you could just go here >
http://www.thebest3d.com/dogwaffle/free/index.html
:D L.

[h0ughy]

Raj, your teaching Ken some very bad things :poke: :rofl: :rofl: .

[RAJAH235]

Gotta get him into the good quality stuff. See how good he is in 3D!!! :P :D L.
ps. NOW there's a scary thought! :scared:

[ballaratdragons]

Yep! Now I have lots of ammunition. From both of you :D