Protecting Yourself From The Elements Out-of-Doors

When working out-of-doors it is naturally desirable to protect oneself from the heat and glare of the sun. Some seek the shade of a tree; others use an umbrella or wide-brimmed hat. But for some unaccountable reason, many beginners have a tendency to put their work in the shade as well. They turn their easels so that their canvases face far away from the light which makes it hard to see what they are doing. This appears to be an unconscious maneuver on the part of students, and I have never been able to discover why it is done.

While it is true that to turn the canvas into the full glare of the sun may prove difficult on the eyes, as well as cause the paint to soften and run, there is nothing to be gained by working in the dark. Adjust your easel in such a way as to permit the light to fall on your canvas, sort of midway between sun and shade.