Any guides for solar sketching?

[spaceboy]

Hi All

This is going to sound very lame but I want to start sketching solar activity but admit to being useless at conveying what I see onto paper so I wondered if there were any guides video or otherwise? I have seen some really good sketches on SGL and across the net yet can't find any pointers on how to tackle each feature.

[David Smith]

Have a look at Jeremy Perez website. His book is very good but I am not sure there is anything specific to solar sketching on the websites.

Nothing lame about sketching, I've been doing it for >20 years and even now I am imaging I still sketch when I have the time.

[spaceboy]

Not saying sketching is lame but more so my inability to sketch even simple sun spots

[David Smith]

Ah, fair point. Mine aren't exactly art

[spaceboy]

Looks good to me David and liking the print out for logging details etc. I will maybe give it a go tomorrow if the weather plays ball that is.

[Stu]

Nick, it's actually easier than you think. Just get a pack of different hardness pencils, a rubber and some half decent paper and away you go.

I've been using 2B, HB and 2H pencils mainly. I just draw the main umbral regions and spots in first with an HB, getting the shape and positioning correct, then go over the darker bits with 2B. I then use the side of a 2H to gently shade in the penumbral areas.

I have started by just doing a few of the AR's so I can get the positioning correct more easily without having to worry about the entire disk. I'll get to that sooner or later though.

Good luck :-)

Stu

[spaceboy]

Thanks Stu

Fingers crossed I can get out tomorrow as I really want to keep a record so I can see how the feature vary from day to day.

[kerrylewis]

This book has a chapter on solar sketching: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Astronomical-Sketching-Step---Step-Introduction/dp/0387262407/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1408350761&sr=1-1&keywords=astronomical+sketching

It's a good book - very comprehensive with chapters on all areas of astro sketching

Kerry

[spaceboy]

Thanks Kerry looks a good book although a bit too pricey for me at £27.

I managed to find this vid that at least gives some idea to techniques  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QDC3R39AcSA

[Robny]

Interesting thread, I've been thinking of doing the same recently, guess I just need to make the effort and try it. Like the look of that book.

Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk

[kerrylewis]

Thanks Kerry looks a good book although a bit too pricey for me at £27.

I managed to find this vid that at least gives some idea to techniques  

Yes it is a bit pricey but I suppose it's a very limited market and hardly going to be in the best seller list! I was lucky because my son bought it for me as a Christmas present.

[Zakalwe]

Here you go.

http://www.rasc.ca/lakomiak-sundso

[spaceboy]

I had planned on going out but this weather is driving me nuts  clear one second, cloudy next then rain seemingly coming from nowhere. OK throw some rain clouds over I know not to go out but what the hell??? You just gotta love this hobby

[spaceboy]

OK I will have to call it a work in progress as I'm sat there 99% of my time waiting to get clear views of the sun with high level cloud, fluffy white cloud lower down keep speeding past and now great big grey clouds showing themselves.

What I will say though how much fun is it sketching I'm sure with a little more practice I could get better orientation and maybe more done in a shorter space of time. Although I did get in a right state as the only thing I had to hand was charcoal pencils which smudge every where but that gave me something to do in between clear spells I guess although I think I'm gonna need a new eraser already.

OK so here is my first attempt going of the links and advice offered by the good people of SGL. As I said a work in progress as I simply couldn't get enough clear spells and seeing to finish it in one sitting but I guess practice all the same and it might clear later today .

Got the template from here BTW http://tellmesomethingnice.com/2011/in/astronomy/free-astronomical-sketching-templates which helped as there are markers around the edge and a centre spot plus all the usual for notes etc.

[mariosi]

Great drawing! Nice details.

I admire people who can do that!

Thank you for sharing.

                                  Marios

[spaceboy]

Sorry for got to add that this was a refractor view so the up, down, left, right thing is all to [removed word].

[spaceboy]

I think that's the right way around ??