Take digital photo of

general area

Make  a small thumbnail sketch of the composition

Set up easel - canvas & palette surfaces always in shadow

Paint  light yellow tone on canvas and sketch tree mass over tone using thumbnail sketch

Paint in darkest darks near focal point and

in the largest mass: the trees

Paint in the remainder of dark color  and mix light sky colors on palette

Add Sky colors and detail as needed enhancing light on and around focal point

"Sycamore Autumn", 16" x 20", oil on canvas, Near Malibu Lake, CA