The very first decision is where you're going to stand to paint or sketch the landscape, what your viewpoint will be. It may sound obvious, but all too often people simply go with the first option that presents itself rather than wandering around a little considering the options a landscape presents. Where you stand in a landscape influences what you see in it and the angle you're seeing things.
The photos show the same little bay, one taken from the car park and the other from the bottom of the slipway. There are obvious differences in what you see (the fishing hut, the boats, the lifejacket post), but also elements you might not have noticed had you not actually walked down there. For instance, that you see more of the cliff-face from a viewpoint that's only a little closer to it. That the lower viewpoint gives the rocky shore far more prominence, as well as reflections in the water.
Using a viewfinder makes it easier to consider possible compositions. The next step is to decide on a format.
