I dabbled semi-seriously at painting over the course of a 50 year business career doing things I was not very interested in - not very well. I soon realized that painting like any other pastime that one may seek to turn into a serious venture, requires considerable craft and above all practice!
Now, in my sixties, and retired from the rat race, I have time to practice and having gone through a fair amount of canvas, feel I am beginning to get the hang of it. The difference between painting something 'like' the subject and catching the unique aspects which makes your subject 'live' on the canvas is what I strive to bring to each work.
A sense of humor and a touch whimsy are helpful too.