Todd Hargis is an accomplished artist. He will supply us on a regular
basis some of his artwork. One thing that drawing an object forces you
to do is see all the detail. This increases your observing skills. Todd
will send us regular updates with new drawings and drawing
tips. Or, go here
to see all of his drawings.
(Full size 62KB) A picture of Todd and his telescope.
(Oct, 2002)
(Full
size 50KB) NGC 7008 Planetary nebula in Cygnus
(Full
size 42KB) M104 Sombrero Galaxy in Virgo
(Full
size 49KB) M84 and M86 in Virgo
(Dec, 2002)
(Full
size 41KB) NGC 4725 Sketched at the 1996 Texas Star Party using
a 16-inch telescope with a Magnification of 131x. The magnitude is
10.5 in the constellation Coma Bereneces.
(Sep, 2002)
(Full
size 141KB) M17- Swan Nebula and M27 - The Dumbbell Nebula
(Full
size 197KB) Here is a step-by-step drawing of how to draw galaxies.
(Aug, 2002)
(Full
size 43KB) NGC 7009 Saturn Nebula 16-inch F/4.5 @ 523x, Magnitude 8.3,
constellation Aquarius Sketched July 22, 1996 from Mauriceville, TX (8/25/2002)
(Full size 32KB) M82 16-inch F/4.5 @ 261x, Magnitude 9.3, constellation
Ursa Major
Sketched from the Texas Star Party on May 2, 2000 (8/25/2002)
(Full size 45KB) NGC 253 @ 100x 16-inch F/4.5 Dobsonian
Magnitude 7.6, constellation Sculptor. Sketched from Horseshoe Bay, TX
November 24th of '99 (8/10/2002)
(Full size 47KB) NGC 6822 @ 100x 16-inch F/4.5 Dobsonian Magnitude
11.0, constellation Sagittarius. Sketched on May 16th, TSP '96. A dark
sky and unobscured horizon is needed to observe NGC 6822. (8/10/2002)
(8/25/2002)
Picture of the sketching tools
(130KB) used.
1. You will need a blending stump. This instrument is a tightly rolled stock of paper sharpened at both ends. It is used for smearing and blending pencil lead, chalk, etc.
2. A soft graphite pencil. I use a No. 9b, (the softest available), woodless pencil to transfer the graphite directly to the blending stump. This process will be discussed later.
3. An erasing shield will be needed to remove unwanted pencil lead within the sketch like the dust lane of a galaxy.
4. A drafting eraser, get one that will not tear your paper or make a rough spot.
5. A black fine tipped pigment pen (005 & 01) for plotting the stars and jotting down data.
6. Two sketchbooks, one for the field and the other used as a portfolio. All items listed can be purchased at a local art store.
7. Most importantly, a red flashlight.