Thanks for the wonderful comments on the question. I wonder how many of us intellectualize our painting experiences as much
as Libby. I lead a group of 15 or so painters to different locations and we return twice to the same place. Yes...it rarely has the same conditions. I usually try a different one each time..and the Maryland sky changes by the minute. We often have morning fog that clears in an hour or so, so indicating darks and shadows are difficult until later. I spend more time getting a nice design and get that blocked in and then look for some shadows. Not the right way, I guess, but if we are in a lovely location, I want to take advantage of being there, the workshop has made me work differently and the first one I painted after I returned home won a prize!!!Thanks, Libby