Yes, months! My kids were younger, I took a night class (still life) one summer a few years ago, then I got interested in glazing portraits. I tried it at home but just couldn't get it. I got a lot of help from the forum but didn't have an instructor or anybody to help me out, or encourage me. Then the kids started school, things got busy, holidays came, we moved, a few more months went by. I was diong a lot of volunteering at my kids' school, had an antique shop for 6 months, I was certainly keeping busy, but not with painting.
I eventually signed up for a portrait class here in Houston, it wasn't very good at all, not much help from the teacher, lost steam and went on to something else. Then a year ago I found a great still life teacher and that got me painting every week! And through him I found a wonderful portrait instructor!!! I've been painting on and off like this for years, until now. Now I'm serious about it!
This brings to mind something I read on the forum years ago. Somebody asked how does one find the time to paint every day? The answers were basically "I don't do anything else". I thought that sounded crazy, but now that I've committed to learning how to paint, I've found I've done the same thing. I only volunteer at my kids' school minimally. I don't do a lot with friends because that takes away from painting. I don't even like going to the grocery store because that takes time away from painting, though it has to be done. I can't remember the last time I was in any kind of department store. The only store ever go to is the ART store for things I need that day, the rest is ordered online. I do belong to a prayer group but that's only an hour each week. So, now I understand what people were talking about those years ago because I have the same attitude.
Sorry, got off track there.
Joan