Au's interest is really engaged when the subject is painting from nature. For him, taking a large sketch book, brush, and ink on boats, in cars, or on foot across rivers and into the mountains is not "work," but fun. Like breathing, it is an integral part of his life.
說到寫生，歐豪年的興致就來了，對他而言，帶著大寫生簿和筆墨，一路上舟車勞頓、跋山涉水地跑來跑去，不是為了工作，而是玩耍、是享受，像呼吸一樣，是他生活的一部分。