Just thinking over the hobby as a whole and the breadth of techniques, styles, modes, fashions, and camps folks hitch their wagons to. Arguments over edge highlights vs natural highlights, grimdark vs Eavy Metal, saturated vs desaturated can be daunting for a newbie. But something I think that needs to be the message is to just try.
Get out there, get to it, paint away! Don't worry about if you're gonna win Golden Daemon your first try or your 100000000th time, just have fun and learn. Make mistakes, invent new colors, discover your voice and method. Don't worry if your latest marine will give poor Duncan an aneurysm, worry about if you learned something from it.
Have fun, paint something weird, and keep improving.
Solid advice and love the photo. I feel it encapsulates the idea of having a fun time getting into the hobby.
That's the strange thing, isn't it? Many other social platforms make me want to paint less even with the plethora of inspiration and education available. The prowess online can definitely feel deflating and intimidating. But I think you're right, there's more to it than having the best painted thing. I'm glad more and more we have a place here to enjoy more of the hobbying process with each other.
Something I was told once, "Youll only learn by doing". I feel that message sits heavy in your post and I highly agree. The thing that matters is providing an envrioment where newer painters feel capable and can ask questions.
Great advice!