Andromeda Galaxy: e-sketch

[yeti monster]

Battling against the LP, and stuggling to make a decent preliminary sketch due to dodgy eyes and surrounding lighting.

This is as close as I could get a sketch tonight.

I now know that I really do want those tripod mounted binos that I didn't buy at the ferry port.

[kev 102 42]

how do you do a e sketch what have got to have.............kev

[yeti monster]

I use Gimp and a graphics pad/pen. I made a template to represent the view through binos/scope. then as I'm observing try to draw a real sketch, which is the really tricky bit, as I can't see for toffee, so I have to hold up the pad to some light, which of course then ruins my night adjustment. Then I have to find my target again, study it as much as possible, before continuing the sketch.

Doing the actual e-sketch only takes afew minutes. Gimp has a wonderful filter called "supernova" which is perfect for stars, once you get used to the radius/rays/random colour selections.

Well, that's my secret out, prepare to be bombarded with e-sketches now.......

[kev 102 42]

what pad and pen should i get...................kev

[yeti monster]

I think their actually called graphics tablets, but that's just silly.

I have a small palm sized one (Macally) at work, which fits neatly into my camera bag for travelling etc. At home I use an A4 sized one (can't remember the make). They plug into your pc via a USB and use a wireless "pen" instead of a mouse, which offers excellent cursor control.

[simon hicks]

I wonder how many of these drawings you would need to stack to see fainter detail....

[yeti monster]

I suppose that would depend on what size scope one was looking through whilst one did sketch!

[Phil Fargaze]

Great Image. I would like to have a go at digital drawing. I have just recently read Peter Grego`s book Astronomical Cybersketching but I am still a bit confused as to what is the best hardware to get. I suppose I would really like to try one before choosing but I hav`nt got round to finding a retailer that could demonstrate one to me.

[Jupiter Martin]

I just do it in photoshop do a rough sketch at the EP then when inside do a complete sketch in PS

By the way thats a great one Yeti

[Doc]

I just do it in photoshop do a rough sketch at the EP then when inside do a complete sketch in PS

By the way thats a great one Yeti

Exactly what I do.

Great sketch Yeti Monster.

[yeti monster]

I've used Gimp (free to download or buy a disc off ebay for the price of a pint) for my photography for about a year now, as it has an excellent selection of tools and filters etc. and can be used muli-layered, it lends itself to any and all digital image files for manipulation.

The graphics "tablets" are cheap enough, and you can find appraisals of most products on-line.

[Jupiter Martin]

Thats a cracker Doc

[DarkerSky]

Oh I like that YM...very nice When you say 'surrounding lighting' is that just the lights where you are based? I would imagine in the middle of a sea it must be pretty dark, all told

[yeti monster]

Yes, the rig is flood lit 24/7, plus there is aconverted tanker near by, which is also flood lit and our standby boat, which, surprisingly enough, happens to be flood lit.

I have found that right by our anchor winch houses are the darkest places to observe from.

[kev 102 42]

my pen and pad has just arrived ...................kev

[yeti monster]

Get sketchin' kev!

What pen/pad did you get btw?

[kev 102 42]

bamboo off amazon was 80 90 quid i paid 40 odd, next day free delivery..........kev

[yeti monster]

I've read good reports on the Bamboo ones.

Being a cheap skate, I bought mine second hand on fleabay. They take a little while to get the hang of, but soon you'll wonder how you ever managed without one.

[Towa]

Very well done guys, some great e-sketches here. I'm about to sell all my imaging gear, for me drawing is much more fun.

[yeti monster]

Yeah, imaging is for wannabees. Doodlers do it far better!