Why So Many People Never Start Painting. 8 Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Be One of Them

Seasons Art Class Hawke’s Bay

There’s a quiet sadness in hearing someone say, “I always wanted to learn… but I never did." It's heartbreaking because the desire is real, yet the opportunity slips by.

I see this often at Seasons Art Class Hawke’s Bay. Adults arrive with excitement in their eyes and a box of untouched art supplies at home. They’ve wanted to paint for years but didn’t know where to begin, or they tried to teach themselves and eventually gave up. Not because they lacked ability, but because they lacked direction.

1, Where most beginners get stuck

Starting from scratch can feel overwhelming:

• What materials do you actually need?

• How do colours work together?

• Why does mixing paint sometimes feel like guesswork?

• And why do the brushes never seem to do what you want them to?

Without guidance, progress becomes slow, frustrating, and easy to abandon.

But the moment someone shows you a clear path, everything changes.

2, What I would teach you if you came to class tomorrow

If you came into my classroom at Keirunga Gardens today and asked, "What do I need to know to start painting?" I wouldn't confuse you with difficult words.

I’d focus on the essentials, the same foundations we teach in our Seasons Art Class programme:

• Choosing simple, reliable materials

• Understanding how colours behave

• Using brushes with confidence

• Building texture and depth step by step

• Learning how to see shapes, light, and composition

  
  

Then we’d get straight into creating. No fuss. No pressure. Just learning through doing.

3. Why we start with drawing (even if you’re itching to paint)

Most people want to skip straight to colour, and it’s understandable. Colour is exciting, emotional, and expressive.

But drawing is the quiet superpower behind every good painting. Once you can see proportions, angles, light, and shadows, your painting instantly improves. That’s why our Seasons course begins with drawing and perspective before moving into pastels , acrylics, and watercolour.

It isn’t to slow you down, its to launch you forward!

4, Talent is not the secret ingredient

A lot of new students arrive saying:

• “I’m not artistic.”

• “I have no natural talent.”

• “Everyone else will be better than me.”

  
  

But here’s the truth: art is learned, not always gifted. You didn’t ride a bike on the first go, but you learned. Painting is exactly the same. What matters most isn’t talent — it’s willingness to try, experiment, and enjoy the process.

5. A mindset shift that changes everything

Those who progress fastest in class share one thing: They allow themselves to be beginners.

They understand that:

• Crooked lines are normal

• A muddy colour mix is a lesson, not a failure

• Practice is part of the fun

• Growth comes from trying, not hesitating

When you adopt this mindset, painting becomes freeing rather than intimidating.

6. The Procrastination Trap

Many people don’t delay painting because they lack time — they delay because they’re nervous.

Suddenly cleaning the house feels urgent. Suddenly organising a drawer becomes a priority and every other task seems easier than facing a blank page. This is completely normal.

That’s why our programme breaks everything into achievable, enjoyable steps. Each lesson builds on the last so you never feel lost or overwhelmed.

7. A structured path that actually works

At Seasons Art Class Hawke’s Bay, our 14-week programme leads you through a carefully designed sequence:

• Drawing basics

• Sketching and perspective

• Oil pastels

• Acrylics

• A guided final artwork you’ll be proud to show family and friends

Each three-hour session gives you time to learn, practice, and socialise — without feeling rushed. All materials are provided, and every student is supported regardless of starting point.

By the end of the term, you will have a collection of artworks in different styles. You will also understand the techniques behind each one.

Most importantly, you’ll finally feel like the artist you always hoped you could become.

8. Don’t let “what might have been” be your story

If you’ve ever dreamed of painting but never taken the leap, this is your moment.

Your creativity isn’t gone, it is simply waiting for the right environment to come alive.

And that’s exactly what Seasons Art Class Hawke’s Bay offers. So email me now for more info, artclass@artinthebay.com or visit www.seasonsartclass-napier.com