Snowdon from Llyn Padarn by Chris Glassonbury

G'day Christopher. You almost seem to be apologising for using photos. As long as you have taken the photo , I see no problem. After reading and viewing David Hockney's "Secret Knowledge" I am positive that artists of yore would have been thrilled to have access to todays variety of "aids". I have a row of sketch books that I have compiled over the years - but I also have an electronic folder of more than 9000 photos. In the time of making a sketch , I can take 200 photos and if you are on holiday and have limited time then I use whatever means to hand. For me, sketching is a satisfaction in itself - it is complete. I rarely paint the same picture twice - unless using a different medium or technique, or a lapse of years. Bringing a photo up on a console can give me the same buzz of anticipation as sitting in front of the actual subject - usually I am composing the photos for painting anyway .I am not a public person - I admire those who can sit out in public and paint , I can't.. cheers Mike Capenerhurst