So I mentioned a few posts ago that painting, as a way of avoiding writing for a while, helped me beat my writing burnout. And, to celebrate this glorious victory, I decided that I should share some of my pretty pictures here with y’all!

And I’ll share some fun lil’ facts along the way…

One painting I did of a cute little fox…

So, I really first started painting when I was in high school and took a painting class as an elective. I had been drawing for quite some time (and had actually taken a drawing class beforehand) and I thought painting might just be a fun thing to try. And then, a little while after starting the class, I realized that painting, for whatever reason, is actually 100x easier than drawing for me, and this whole side of art just came very naturally for me.

Yeah, I know, you really do have to be able to draw in order to paint… so I guess it doesn’t really make sense that I feel like I’m better at painting since drawing is still involved… but that’s just how it is.

My version of one of my favorite childhood movies, Anastasia!

Outside of my art class, though, I didn’t really do much painting on my own or at home. At least… not until this past wintertime when I received a beautiful painting gift set from my brother for Christmas. And then I got back into it… and I’m really glad I did.

And two cuties in love…

Like I said, painting just feels really natural to me and it’s not too difficult or challenging, so I rarely get frustrated or unsatisfied with it. So, of course, whenever I need a break from writing, it makes sense than painting is and should be my #1 go-to.

And, honestly, if I’m allowed to make an analogy (and this is my blog and my words so… yes, I am), it’s like I’m some rich lady married to writing or something, and we fight/argue quite often, and painting is the hot gardening boy that I pay a good visit to every other weekend… or something like that. (Haha.)

Another childhood fave, Mulan!

One thing a lot of people have asked me lately whenever I show them my work is ‘how long does that take you?!’, because it must look like it takes days and days on end or something… but, honestly, it doesn’t take me all that long. And I’m a perfectionist, so I take even more time than I probably need. To answer the question in numbers, though… I’d say it usually takes about 3 hours to do one average painting, a few more (like 5 or so total) to do a more detailed one, such as a face or really good landscape (which I haven’t done recently and therefore am not showing here… sorry, haha).

Also, people sometimes ask if I have the attention span to do a picture all in one sitting or not, and the answer to that is… sometimes, haha. It really depends on my mood, but I really try to do something all at once, or else I won’t care as much about it the next day. Unless it’s a big picture, most likely a landscape, that I do on a canvas… because those I really want to make perfect every time, and I can take up to 10 sittings for those guys.

One that wasn’t nearly as hard as it looks… Christina Aguilera posing for the amazing movie Burlesque!

Really, though, painting is just a hobby for me, and I don’t spend nearly as much time with it as I do writing. It’s just a fun little thing I like to do and I really don’t want to take it too seriously (so don’t nobody go suggesting I do!).

And, last but not least… Cher as also seen in Burlesque!

I gotta say, though, the part I love the most about painting is… the ending. Seeing the finished product and all my hard work go into making something beautiful; that makes it all worth it.

So, let me know if you liked my pictures and hearing about some of my work (other than writing)! Also be sure to tell me if you’re into painting, drawing, or any other kind of art yourself!

‘Til my next pretty lil’ post…

-iKari 🎨