Plein Air Painting

I carry my plein air equipment in a large backpack.  It contains all I will need for the day -- easel, sun umbrella, tripod & camera, plus water, paint, paper, brushes, sitting stool and snacks. I like to hike in a bit, so that I am completely by myself, communing with nature. As I hike, I look for something to call to me, then find a comfortable shady spot to setup. I first make a sketch for composition, then draw the composition in pencil on the paper. In the first pass of paint, I try to cover the whole sheet, then let it dry completely. I may need to return to the same spot a second or third day in order to complete the details of the painting. If the light or weather has changed, then final steps are more complicated.