The article maps out the basics of the author’s original methodology elaborated with the purpose of teaching open-air painting, one of the most complex courses studied in art schools. The technique allows one to successfully master the art of coloristic landscape, which hinges upon the reproduction of states of nature by accurately conveying tone and color relations of all the compositional elements. The concept of “travel sketching” is introduced into artistic pedagogy: picturesque sketches of landscape motifs conducted by students from the window of a moving vehicle (car, electric train, motor ship) facilitate the mobilization of attention and visual memory, as well as develop the ability to rapidly analyze color and tone features of the observed landscape. The author of the methodology brings the classical technique of applying a limited palette to a new level. He achieves it by utilizing three primary colors (red, blue, yellow) with the addition of black (tone modulator) as paints necessary and sufficient for precise color depiction of natural conditions and acquisition of the professional culture of working with color and tone. The article describes the selection of most appropriate art materials and delineates the method of travel sketching, distinguished by its high velocity, improvisational character and use of a wide range of professional painting techniques. The author also pays attention to the essential principles of landscape composition. The paper contains a never published before step-by-step photo guide to travel sketching (six winter and three spring motifs) accompanied by brief commentary. The discussed methodology for teaching open-air painting is distinctive in its novelty; it contributes to prompt and effective mastering of the portrayal of various states of nature, develops observation skills, helps to devise individual creative techniques, shapes students’ ability to reproduce the landscape from memory.