Painting from life for me has been something that I have just recently acquired the knowledge and approach to be able to pursue seriously. It's a great tool for an artist to be able to observe and paint the subject directly, as opposed to relying on one's memory or a photograph. A studio piece with a plein air study as a reference support, is inevitably a stronger piece. However, plein air works need not be a means to an end. They can stand on their own as a finished piece as well.
A successful plein air painting is a gem. It’s simple, fresh, alive and powerful. Painting from life represents an artist’s direct response to the real thing. It doesn’t get any purer.