If you only have a tiny bit of time, what should you paint? In this short video Christine shows you how to maximize your time and gather the visual material you need for a future painting back at the studio. This also shows the simple steps to create a mini study (front/back layers, sun/shadow).
Although most people are intimidated about painting on location, it's really very simple if you have an easy goal and low time commitment. Have color dots or relationships (see into the shadow) as primary. Secondary is drawing, but usually the photo does a better job with shapes.
Once you get the hang of color dot studies in oil or watercolor you'd be surprised at how easy it is and how much you will refer to your humble study for the color relationships the photo can't capture. With practice these studies become invaluable for the 'true' color in a scene had... it's much easier than trying to make a dark photo interesting.
Watercolor artists will enjoy pausing this video to try the different steps to create a painting with the dowloaded reference photo. Make sure you let some colors puddle and bleed! With strong color it's important to allow some migration and soft edges for a pleasing look.