The Log Cabin is a watercolor reproduction from one of our photo albums.  When the subject you are painting is one of a house or object, using a picture is an easy way to help you fill in the missing spots.  When you sketch a still life you have nothing to go with if you forgot the details.  

Pick a subject you wish to paint and start by taking a photograph first.  Then sit for a while and sketch the subject out as you normally would.  Return to your studio and begin your painting.  Use the photograph to help you size up objects in your painting and to remind yourself how the light or the motion of the scene was at that moment.