I did this simple oil sketch (3" x 4") as a demonstration for an exercise we did in the weekly oil painting classes I teach at Artists' Attic. 

First we painted from a black and white photograph (for those of you who know this area, it's from a breathtaking overlook of the Kentucky River near Danville, looking towards the Chenault Bridge) and simplified it into a mosaic of 3 to 7 interesting value shapes, each one painted a grey tone representing the average value for that shape. Secondly, we tinted those grey tones with just a little color and re-painted the same composition with the color tinted greys, adding just a little finish at the end.

It is always surprising to me to see the strength in simplicity and freshness. 

Simply put: less is more. 

As a poet says much with few words; an artist should consider just how much to say.  Should we attempt to spell out all of the detail we can see? Would that really make the painting "better"?  Or should we attempt to translate reality into poetic brushstrokes and beautiful pieces of paint?

So this is to help me remember how much more effective it is to say little, but to say enough, and to say it well-- in Art as in Life.