I read recently of a people "having a zeal"..."but without knowledge". I can relate to the situation. Many times growing up my enthusiasm preceded my knowledge. My first "surf board" was an example. I did have experience watching my dad build a boat in the garage. So, using the principles of basic boat construction, I built a "surf board" that could float a battle ship and weighed a ton. It was all I could do to drag the thing to the water. Once in the water it took forever to get moving. Stopping was just as difficult. I can only say I'm lucky it never landed on me while while I was trying to ride a wave. They'd still be digging me out of the sand. The same held true for other "Zeals" in my life...my first skate board, first date, building a go-cart, second date, first car, third date. You may see a pattern here. I get excited and am ready to jump in and get started before I've read the instruction book. Later I discovered the amazing use of foam and fiberglass in surf board construction. Painting in oils started the same. But has taken a wonderful turn. As my interest in oil painting grew my desire to understand the "why's" of the process increased. Knowledge of the basics brought curiosity about the more advanced techniques. As my "how to" information has increased so my love of this art form has grown. In this wonderful age we live in there is so much information at our fingertips. Use every opportunity to gain understanding. Making the act of painting a joy is the product of knowledge.
"Let the wise hear and increase in learning..." Proverbs 1:5
Best wishes, Jerry