Hudson Valley Astrologer

“Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.”

~ Leonardo da Vinci

I’ve always wished I could draw—especially with pencil and charcoal. About a year ago, I was having lunch with a dear friend from high school when he showed me something extraordinary. On his phone were photos—not of his grandchildren, but of charcoal portraits he had drawn of them. They were stunning!

What struck me most was how lifelike they were, despite being simple black-and-white sketches. It made me realize how much I admire this medium for its ability to capture emotion and depth through light and shadow.

Since then, I’ve been fascinated by what it takes to become competent at sketching in graphite. From what I’ve learned so far, mastering these basic principles is key:

• Lines, Shapes, and Angles
• Proportion
• Value
• Shading
• Hatching and Cross-Hatching
• Stippling
• Blending
• Directional Stroking

Interestingly, drawing reminds me of astrology in some ways. In both, you begin with basic elements—lines and shapes in drawing, signs and symbols in astrology—and gradually build something greater. Just as an astrologer weaves these elements into a unique portrait of someone’s personality, an artist uses techniques like proportion, value, and shading to bring their subject to life on paper.

One technique that fascinates me is chiaroscuro—the use of light and shadow to create depth—which Leonardo da Vinci mastered during the Renaissance. It’s amazing how such simple contrasts can transform a flat image into something three-dimensional in art, much like how astrology brings a flat, one dimensional diagram to life, making it dynamic and full of meaning.

For me, learning to draw would be about more than just creating art; it would be about seeing the world differently—observing details I might otherwise overlook and capturing them in a way that feels timeless. At the same time, I imagine transcribing this skill into my work as an astrologer—becoming an artist-analyst who combines observation and interpretation to craft vivid portraits of personality and potential.

HVA

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