Communicating Astronomy with the Public Journal

Summary
We have all seen the spectacular images that the Hubble Space Telescope and other such observatories have revealed to the world. Their haunting splendour inspires and compels us as artists. But how can we capture the elusive essence of space in our own work?

Simply put, how does one draw space? To answer this question, it is necessary to move beyond the details of "How do I do such and such in Photoshop?"

I’ll say this right up front: this article is not going anywhere near the raw techniques needed to create celestial art. I’ve discussed this with a number of colleagues, and we’ve all agreed that the process of self-discovery and learning is a priceless experience. I have no intention of giving anyone the temptation of a shortcut, as I really believe it does more harm than good — providing a crutch and inhibiting an artist’s ingrained confidence from developing. The main reason I’ve written this article is because I dearly love space and all its potential beauty. I also highly respect the community and would like to give those who care to take the time an insight into my own understanding of the elements of space.

To begin, I offer this kernel of knowledge...