Jupiter stunning tonight

That explains it so.

Top drawer sketch Jeff.
It would be good to see a live demo of your sketching tecnhique one day.

Michael.

Michael --

You know, that's a really cool idea. You see these sketching tutorials (such as the Rix/Handy/Robbins/Perez/Moody book, or Perez's column in Astronomy Now), which give you a good appreciation for the steps and the order, but they don't give you any technique. Stuff like how the sketcher holds the pencil and blending stump, how various strokes are made, the different ways to use a putty rubber, etc.

I'm sure I only know a small fraction of the techniques myself. It'd be really cool to get some videos done by various sketchers. Probably wouldn't work at the telescope (due to lighting), but the sketcher could work from a previous drawing or a photograph.

For small groups, you could even do it live as you suggested. It's a pity they moved Whirlpool this year -- I had to chose between going to the opening of the sketching exhibition and going to the star party itself.

Deirdre, you listening in? How about a live sketching demo at next year's Solarfest? Maybe you, Sally and I could each do a quick 10 min sketch (assuming decent weather) so people could see different techniques.

I'd also love to see Deirdre and Frank (Barberskum) do a quick moon sketch sometime....

-- Jeff.