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Here Jones concentrates on the lines of broken clouds, dappling the fields with the flash of sun. As early as 1772, Thomas Jones was painting oil sketches outdoors around his home in Radnorshire. This technique was revolutionary by the standards of the day, when almost all oil painting was carried out indoors, from studies. This sketch probably dates from 1776, the year of Jones's departure for Italy. Freed from the constraints of painting to please the public, such private studies allowed him to develop a more direct and instinctive response to nature.