A Beginner's Lesson

Since I can remember I loved art, so much so that I told my kindergarten teacher that I wanted to be an artist. Finally, when I was a junior in high school I decided to sign up for Painting as an elective. I was always doodling on my school papers but I was never an amazing drawer, maybe I'll be decent at painting.
I entered the class excited for getting out the paint and brushes but the first week focused on the fundamentals such as different ways to shade, colors, lines, etc. When we were finally able to paint, an apple with water colors, my painting was horrible. I was devastated. I hated the class.
Things changed a few weeks later when we started to use acrylics. My art teacher came up to me while I was frustrated trying to perfect a monochromatic piece and said something I'll never forget.  In fact, I actually wrote it down later that day so I wouldn't:

'A painting doesn't need to be perfect. It's not a photograph. It's not a drawing. 

It's a painting. What makes a painting perfect is emotions and 

conveying how you feel. It doesn't need to be detailed or overly simple.

It's whatever you make it and how you see the world.'

At that moment, my paintings improved. Sure they weren't the best but I started to like them and come into my own style. I can't draw except basic shapes and outlines. I use the colors and brushstrokes to show detail. The more I practice the better I become. However, I do still have to remind myself it's a painting. 

Here's a slight tutorial to create one of my latest paintings. I hope it inspires you to pick up painting!

I'm definitely the the best at drawing, but I purposely left the umbrella over-sized and the handle off center.
To me it gave it more charm.

I was inspired by a painting I saw on Tumblr but wanted to make it in my own style that will compliment my room decor. (Once I find the inspiration, I'll add a link to it.) To begin, I drew the concept.

To display the floor I turned my brush strokes to be horizontal and added more shadows.
This way the girl is grounded and not floating in an empty space.

The next thing was painting the background. I only have the primary colors, black and white paints so I mix every color before it's on the canvas or while it's on the canvas. I used broad strokes to symbolize the rain as to not have the rain take away from the focal point.

To mimic a tulle skirt: quick downward strokes and have the brush wet. I used a pure red, the color mixed from the background, white and sparingly added black.

Finally, I finished the rest. I made sure to let the background peak through in some spots and used quick little brushstrokes for the girl. The umbrella took quick, broader strokes.
*Tip* Use black sparingly. It will over power if there is too much on the brush and could potentially ruin what you're aiming for. 

I've moved since this has been painted and depending on the lighting the colors will vary slightly in photographs. Here's a photo from today that seems more true to the colors it is than the photos I took while I painted it.