Hi , like Ade I tend to use photos (my own usually Phil) as my cellar studio is brilliantly cool when it is 30 plus and warm in winter. The only thing it lacks is natural light! Anyway last week I managed to persuade a couple of other hobby painters to come out with me to the Chiemsee to paint from life as I thought this really what it is all about. . A big mistake! The area is infested this year, after floods and hot weather, with giant aggressive mosquitos. We had all gone sprayed and with protective clothing but it was useless and we actually ran back to the car. Did Find another spot eventually so the hour's journey was not totally in vain and discovered again ( I keep forgetting this ) how dificult painting outdoors is. Still we had some feedback from passersby which was good and I shall definitely persevere and am trying to get a group together again for next week.