Drawn to the Universe
APRIL 2011 – M81/M82

Positive Sketches of Messier 81 and Messier 82

Positive Sketches of Messier 81 and Messier 82

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Original Negative Sketch of Messier 81 and Messier 82

Original Negative Sketch of Messier 81 and Messier 82

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Original Negative Sketch of Messier 81 and Messier 82

Original Negative Sketch of Messier 81 and Messier 82

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Subject: Messier 81 and Messier 82
Issue: April 2011 Astronomy Now
Basic Media: Graphite on White Paper
Featured Technique: While an observer usually wants to include as much detail as possible in a sketch, the finished drawing can raise unrealistic expectations if the sketch is used to familiarize new observers with the object. This column describes the process of supplementing a detailed sketch with a simplified version that represents the at-a-glance view of an object.
Suggested Sketching Materials:
  • White, acid free sketch paper
  • HB and 2H graphite pencils
  • Blending stump and sanding block
  • Transfer tracing paper
  • Adjustable red observing light
  • Clipboard
  • Optional digital processing with GIMP or Photoshop