This is the very first picture I ever painted.  At a local Senior Center a lady in charge said to find a picture and try to copy it.  I was shown how to use a grid to draw the picture, which didn't really work for this detail.  I then was shown a paint brush that could easily make flowing lines.  I was amazed at what happened next!  We work in acrylics on 16 x 20 in. canvas board.