Solar Sketching ― A Comprehensive Guide to Drawing the Sun

The Sun represents one of the most challenging astronomical objects for artists to sketch, as prominences and faculae can come and go within several minutes. The methods provided here allows readers to render the Sun’s ever changing features using a wide variety of media. Capturing these quickly evolving processes requires fast, yet accurate techniques. And of course, unlike other forms of astronomical sketching, it is all done in the daytime.

At the present time there is an increase of activity on the Sun, with the solar sunspot maximum approaching (probably around 2014). One of the best ways to become a better solar observer is to record observations through sketching. This book is for amateur astronomers with an interest in the Sun and particularly those who enjoy visual observation.

This book fully exposes the reader to a comprehensive variety of media and their respective techniques commonly used to sketch the Sun, through a series of step-by-step tutorials in each selected medium, including scientific contributions, animations, and computer graphics. It displays current works by the co-authors and contributors. Sketch presentations, animated gifs and extra PowerPoint presentations and tutorials will be available on the Springer Extras website.

“Solar Sketching” is a 'scope-side reference to be used by readers at all levels of experience. It is helpful for observers identifying solar features in the process. The book caters to a wide variety of readers with varying interests – including those who want to do technical sketches, use traditional media, use computer graphics or do solar-inspired artwork. Solar changes happen very rapidly, but capturing them successfully is a spectacular way of recording observing sessions.

Erika Rix is a Columnist and Contributing Editor for Astronomy magazine and presenter for astronomical sketching and sketching workshops. She is a co-author ofAstronomical Sketching: A Step-by-Step Introduction (Springer 2007) and ofSketching the Moon – An Astronomical Artist’s Guide (Springer 2012). Additionally, she is a member of the administration team for Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews forum and has astronomical sketches and articles published widely on astronomy sites (including Spaceweather, LOPD, ASOD, ALPO), astronomy newsletters, magazines and books.

Kim Hay is presently the Sunspot Report Coordinator for the AAVSO, and Solar Section Coordinator for the Association of Lunar and Planetary Observers (ALPO). She is the author of the Solar Observing Section in the RASC Observer’s Handbook and was also part of the Canadian IYA2009 team that helped to promote IYA2009 and Astronomy with public outreach. Kim has sketched the sun for over 20 years to observe its activity and published an article in the RASC Journal December 2009 Vol.103, entitled Solar Observing 1999-2009. She is currently the President of the RASC-Kingston Centre and long time member.

Sally Russell has given numerous presentations and workshops on astronomical sketching to local astronomy societies. Her astronomical sketches have been published online, principally at Cloudy Night Telescope Reviews, LPOD, ASOD, the National Maritime Museum, and in various BAA and SPA section online journals and newsletters, as well as in various UK astronomical magazines. Sally is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (FRAS), a Member of the British Astronomical Association (BAA), and of the Society for Popular Astronomy (SPA).

Richard Handy is webmaster for Astronomy Sketch of the Day, a non-profit website. He was a co-author ofAstronomical Sketching: A Step-by-Step Introduction (Springer 2007) and ofSketching the Moon – An Astronomical Artist’s Guide (Springer 2012). His lunar sketch work has been widely published on the Internet, particularly at Cloudy Nights Telescope Reviews, where he is proud to be a “Star Contributor.” Several of Rich’s sketches and narratives were selected for Lunar Photo of the Day (Charles Wood’s LPOD website). Richard is a member of the San Diego Astronomical Society, and a Member of the Association of Lunar Planetary Observers (ALPO).

Erika, Sally and Richard had their sketches selected for display at the International Year of Astronomy 2009 Astronomical Art Exhibit held in Birr Castle in Ireland.