I started working in plein air to better comprehend light and shadow. I realize that pictures can only provide so much realism. One really does need to paint from life in order to imitate life. If you paint from a picture all the time you are just a human camera. It is ok to use pictures to reference just dont use them as a crutch. Our human memories are only so good... using a picture or model helps the artist understand things forgotten from observation.
I painted this at zilker botanical garden in Austin. It is of a gallimimus dinosaur type from the curetaceous period.
