Pochade is the French word for rough sketch.  These are small paintings that are done outdoors, very quickly and with few strokes. These are alla prima paintings (paintings finished in one session) and are useful for working intuitively while trying to capture the fleeting effects of light. As Kevin Macpherson, one of the country's leading plein air painters, has said,  "A 6" x 8" painting can have an uncanny monumentality,  or a gem-like quality."