The October issue of Astronomy Now focuses on NGC 7662, the Blue Snowball nebula. Two methods are covered in this column: 1) Using an isophote (contour) field sketch as a basis for a final shaded drawing, and 2) using Photoshop to add subtle color to the scanned drawing.
| Subject: | NGC 7662 |
| Issue: | October 2009 Astronomy Now |
| Basic Media: | Charcoal and graphite on artist grade paper. |
| Suggested Materials: |
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Inverted, Positive Sketch of NGC 7662
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Original Negative Sketch of NGC 7662
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Hi Jeremy, I read your column in the October AN (it's great to see the mainstream mags taking sketching seriously these days!) and it has made me want to go back to NGC 7662 and re-observe it.
I had never thought of doing an isophote sketch before, so I shall try that next time I am observing. It certainly looks like a good and effective method of getting those light and dark areas of objects just right.
Thanks Faith, I look forward to hearing what you pick up on your next session with NGC 7662. I've found isophote sketches to be really useful, either to get a sketch outlined when time is short, or especially as an addition to a regular shaded sketch to be sure I picked up all the nuances I meant to, and to help tune up the shaded work later. I hope it provides some extra options and works for you!
I'll give it a go in my next observing session and I'll let you know how it goes. Since I posted the above I have not had a chance to observe!