Sketching the Moon An Astronomical Artist's Guide [Paperback]

For anyone artistically inclined, observing the Moon and attempting to sketch or paint it can easily become a passion. The Moon presents a broad array of tone, texture, and form. Capturing this in a painting or sketch at the eyepiece of a telescope  or even with binoculars  develops observational skills, leaves a record of the observation, and can also be a delightful and rewarding pastime. However, the choice of media available is extensive (acrylic paint, oils, pen, charcoal, etc., and even computer art programs), and there is no existing text that fully explains all lunar sketching and painting techniques in each respective medium. This beautiful and graphically rich book fulfills this requirement. It presents detailed step-by-step instructions, in the form of illustrated tutorials for every major medium employed to represent the Moon. It also provides practical advice on how to sketch outdoors at night (not ideal conditions for an artist!).

This is easily the most extensive book on the subject of lunar art for amateur astronomers, particularly those observing through a telescope. The diverse features of the lunar surface will attract and entice readers to review the number of different media presented, exciting and inspiring them with the possibilities of learning to depict all of the fascinating aspects of Earth's very own satellite.

Richly illustrated, this volume presents step-by-step instructions, in the form of illustrated tutorials for every major medium employed to sketch or paint the Moon. The text offers the most extensive book on the subject of lunar art for amateur astronomers, particularly for those observing through a telescope.

Foreword.- Preface.- Key to Map of Featured Targets.- Basic Sketching: A Place to Begin.- Chapter 1: Sketching Craters.- Chapter 2: Sketching Maria (Seas).- Chapter 3: Sketching Mons (Mountains).- Chapter 4: Sketching Rilles (Lava Channels).- Chapter 5: SketclÓÓ