Article: Sketching DSO's using the Mellish Technique

[iceman]

Hi all

Alexander Massey (mental4astro) has written an excellent guide to Sketching DSO's using the Mellish Technique.

You can find the article on the IceInSpace Projects & Articles (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/projects.html) page, or read it directly by clicking on the link below:

Sketching DSO's using the Mellish Technique (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/63-614-0-0-1-0.html)

Thanks to Alexander for writing the article. If you'd like to contribute a review or article to IceInSpace, please head to Write for IceInSpace (http://www.iceinspace.com.au/write-for-iceinspace.html) and get in touch!

Cheers

[iceman]

Article uploaded.

[Paddy]

Thanks for a truly fantastic article, Alex. There is so much new to consider there - off to the art supply shop for me!

[michaellxv]

Excellent article Alex. Just got back from the shop and trying a few things out. You have convinced me to give white on black a go.

[M54]

Thanks Alex, that's very helpful indeed. :thumbsup:

[mental4astro]

Hi all,

Mike, thanks for uploading the article.

The technique shown me by Scott Mellish is such a godsend. Finally, an illustration technique that gives us control over the texture of the paper to produce very soft glows, without streaks, and to the degree that we want.

Want the glow a little stronger, add another layer without fear, :D .

Like to highlight a feature, easy.

AND a globular cluster? Done!

If the sky gods are favourable to us this weekend, I'll be having a go at the targets in the Feb. Obs. Challenge with this technique. I used it to great effect on M42 last December with my 25 year old 2" refractor! M42, M43 and the Running Man all from Sydney. I don't know what impressed me more, the view through this little scope, or the ease of the technique to sketch it with:

http://www.iceinspace.com.au/forum/showpost.php?p=670999&postcount=27

To become a little more familiar with the technique before heading on-field with it, down load a black and white image of some DSO and use that image to practice with. Practice makes prefect as one needs to get a feel for the gear before it renders exactly what you want it to, ;) .

[mental4astro]

Mike has kindly uploaded an addendum to the article, :thumbsup: ta Mike. There you'll find links to further technique development taken from the Sketching Tips thread, and other links to some of my sketches, all done at the eyepiece using the Mellish Technique.

A direct link to the article is in the first post of Mike's in this thread.

Clear skies & sharp pencils,

Mental.



* I should make a special note here too. Only a short time after the article was released, Scott passed away. Scott is so sorely missed by all his family and friends. I was able to attend the wake held for him by his colleagues at the Australian Museum where he worked. That his work place should organise such an event to me is testament to the high regard Scott is held in. The museum also had a star named after him.

I am feeling very sad writting these words. I also feel so privleged to have been able to write this article, and name the technique after him.

Alex.