How to make drawings of thin sections of rocks

Abstract

One can get a thin section drawing in different ways. It goes without saying that only someone who knows how to draw well and who also knows enough petrography can draw a picture observed under a microscope without using any auxiliary equipment. These two qualities are not so common are combined in one person, and besides, this work is so tedious and requires such attention that in practice it is hardly worth using, therefore it is necessary to use some auxiliary devices. There are three main ways: drawing using a drawing device; drawing by projecting an image onto a table; drawing from a photograph. The method of obtaining a thin section pattern outlined in this note is by no means new. It was not only applied, but also described. The purpose of our work was to test its applicability in the conditions with which most of our petrographers now have to deal. One can hope that the use of these simple techniques will lead to an improvement in the quality of petrographic drawings in our publications. It goes without saying that the same techniques can be used to obtain line drawings and other objects, for example, polished opaque sections and even individual outcrops/shapes, etc.