Erika Rix is a Columnist and Contributing Editor for Astronomy magazine and presenter for astronomical sketching and sketching workshops. She is a co-author of Astronomical Sketching: A Step-by-Step Introduction (Springer 2007) and of Sketching 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 observeits 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 of Astronomical Sketching: A Step-by-Step Introduction (Springer 2007) and of Sketching 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.

Despite the existence of a wide variety of drawing media and techniques, there is until now no comprehensive treatment of astronomical sketching. This book presents the amateur with fine examples of astronomical sketches and step-by-step tutorials in each popular medium, including pencil, pen and ink, chalks and pastels, painting and computer graphics programs. This unique book can teach almost anyone to create beautiful sketches of celestial objects by following simple, illustrated, step-by-step instructions. Readers can choose a chapter related to their preferred class of object, and rapidly absorb techniques in several media. Each chapter provides useful information regarding equipment, types of telescope and eyepiece combinations, techniques for preserving and archiving sketches, and suggestions for accurate record keeping. This book could become a classic.

Sketching the Moon.- Sketching Comets.- Sketching the Sun.- Sketching the Planets.- Sketching Star Clusters.- Sketching Nebulae.- Sketching Galaxies.