Direct magic is, for instance, the way I create my shields...instead of using a lot of candles, incence, props and whatnots, I just sit down in a quiet place, and decide what my shield should be like, what abilities it should have, how it should look, wether it should include traps, alarms or weapons, etc. When I've got all thyat clear in my mind, I focus on the image of the shield. I envision it around me, then shrinks itto fit my body. All in my mind.

That's the deal with direct magic, instead of for instance casting a complicated love spell on someone, to use a blunt example, you focus on that person, picture his face, and, what I would do, try to get behind the face, find the switchboard in his mind, and adjust him to like you. I'm a big fan of switches and buttons.

You'll have to find your own way of doing things, what images works for you, my methods might not do squatr for you, and vice versa. But in my opinion, it's easier, faster, and more effective. And you don't have to use a lot of time to gather the props, and set them up.

I think Aleister Crowley used to work a lot that way though...He felt it was a 'higher' form of magic, a sign of improvement when you no longer were dependant on the things. But then again, he'd claim any method of his was better than anyone else's...