Ever been out drawing or painting landscapes?

The discomforts experienced by artists can sometimes be severe from force 10 gales, freezing temperatures, rain or snow, heat and quite a variety of insects.

Apart from that, you can get human invaders who, in their kindness, make flowery statements on how good it is or sometimes the occasional critique with "It does not look much like the scene--and the grass isn't red, it's green!"

Did you know the artist John Singer Sargent employed a manservant to carry all his art equipment? He painted landscapes to get away from all his commissioned portraits. I think that might have been quite a bore for him with his sitters' comments "Please make me look 10 years younger!"

For us poor artists without the means to employ a servant, we have to prepare for any contingency; sun glasses to cut down on glare, a sunshade, portable drawing boards, all our drawing materials and a comfortable stool. And don't forget the digital camera for recording things.

Soft pastels, charcoal and 4B pencils help the beginner to they can work rapidly to capture those fleeting moments.