I would like to start painting

[FlameDragon]

I haven't really done much painting in my life, other than in elementary school. The main medium that I've used has been graphite. Will the skills one learns/employs when drawing be integral in painting? I never learned the foundations of drawing that well...will that be a hindrance in my painting endeavor?

[MiniGoth]

Yep - the forms of objects don't change based on the medium, nor do the effects of light and shadow.

Paint is not going to be any easier than graphite, and whatever issues you have there will translate over.

[Hexokinase]

Though its true that drawing problems will stick with you while painting, you shouldn't wait to become a master with graphite before you start painting.

Painting can help open your eyes to things that you were previously oblivious to. Be sure to do a lot of paintings from life (on canvas paper so to not burn through many expensive canvases) to get the most out of it. Chances are you'll learn things while painting that will take your drawings to the next level.

[FlameDragon]

Thanks, I'll keep those in mind.

[Flake]

Will the skills one learns/employs when drawing be integral in painting?

Yup. You're drawing in coloured mud and vegetable oil with hairy sticks.
You're still drawing, always.
Proportion, anatomy, colour and composition did not change, you just have a different medium to play with them in.

If the technical aspects of painting are freaking you out, charcoal might be a nice inbetween stage.

If it helps, think of a pencil as a really thin brush? Or a brush as really thick pencil.?

Painting's great fun, go paint.

[Zazerzs]

Give this a read

http://www.conceptart.org/forums/showthread.php?t=157251

Its an 80 page book on pallet and color control.

I post this link alot when it comes to the question of painting and color, but i think its that good.