Similar to working with a live model, you pick up energy unique to the subject and your own view when you draw directly outside, "plein air," in the open air, drawing outside as life moves about you. Even with architecture, or whatever object, the subject breathes and lives. Their is a special bond made between artist and model that results in a form of magic.
That's not to say that you don't create magic when you draw solely from your imagination because you do.
In the best circumstances, the artist will find inspiration from direct observation and from looking within. If you just let it happen, it will. It's the most natural thing. This applies to any art. The artist observes, interprets, processes, and ultimately the artist delivers, shares, reports back to the rest of the world.
