I have always drawn, sketched and doodled, and started early early in life. My mother put me in art lessons from the age of about 8 or 9 where I learned to oil paint. I had a dozen or so ribbons by the time I started high school. I still sketch and doodle - especially in meetings or on conference calls at work. I haven't painted a picture in a few decades. I do believe tho that all those years of art lessons dramatically improved my understanding of colors, and goes without saying - the actual techniques used in oils.
With all that said, when I need or want to do applique, I tend to google xxx coloring pages and modify the most appealing images to my final vision - be it with a few embellishments or use of designs, fabrics, etc. With all the resources at our fingertips today, one doesn't have to have that natural ability
