With spring just around the corner, many of us are looking forward to longer, sunnier days for sketching and painting. Although we gain a lot of practice and experience from painting from photographs at home, there is nothing like working from life, even if we only make quick notes and sketches. Close observation is, of course, key here and having been to the location you are painting will always strengthen your final artwork, even if you are sitting at home working from a photograph of the scene. Setting aside the issue of copyright, that’s why many of our tutors encourage you to paint from your own photographs. You have a deeper emotional response to a scene you have experienced first hand and liked enough to photograph, and all this excitement will feed into your artwork, helping to bring it alive and give it a more unique edge. Close your eyes. What do you remember of the day?
Many amateur painters believe they don’t have the skills to be seen drawing and painting in public. If sketching en plein air is really something you had rather not do – and there isn’t a group of like-minded painters you can join for support – don’t be put off. The next time you’re out with your camera and you really don’t want to be seen sketching, simply jot down written notes on colour, texture and light. Tap into each of your senses and write an account of your experience while you are there. What can you hear? Are there any particular smells? Does that green remind you of limes or Aunt Maud’s best dress? Along with your photographs, your written account will help you to transfer more of your unique perception of the scene into your finished painting. Why not practise those vital drawing skills at home by first ditching the photograph and making a sketch of the scene from your notes alone?