1. We notice the details.

We see things a little differently than the average person. We’re always looking at the aesthetic of things. It’s something we don’t know how to turn off. So be prepared for us to gaze longingly at a tree, because it arches perfectly to catch the sun’s rays. Something that may be insignificant to you is what draws us in and makes us look closer to find its beauty.

2. We’re prone to having a wandering eye.

Like I said, it’s not something we can turn off. We like pretty things, what can I say? It doesn’t mean we’re more inclined to cheat, because when we’re invested, we’re invested, but we can’t help but be drawn to a pretty face. Don’t worry, we still think you’re prettier.

3. We want to connect.

We don’t only search for meaning in our work, but in our personal lives. We’re not interested in shallow relationships. We search for potential in every date we go on. Authenticity. We want someone who understands the heart of us.

4. We hold grudges.

Because our work requires us to plan and conceptualize our pieces in advance, we try to do the same with our communication. We’re certainly not immune to spontaneity or angry outbursts, but we do make a conscious effort to avoid them and mean what we say. If we have a partner who hurts us in a fit of anger, it can be hard to let go. Our first instinct is to take the scorn as the truth, even if later reconciliation reveals otherwise.

5. We set high standards for ourselves.

Sometimes this means you’ll have to assure us that the shading on our subject’s left shoulder isn’t too overstated, or that the blue we used isn’t “too blue.” Sometimes, on the other hand, this’ll seem less tedious as it spills into our love life. We love to care for our partners. Even if it’s over the top. There’s nothing we’d love more than to outshine your exes, their exes, and anyone you could hope to date in the future (kidding… mostly).

6. We aren’t clingy.

As much as we love to shower you with affection and have you pile into our laps for a shoulder rub and Walking Dead marathon after work, we won’t keep you from doing you. We love and value our alone time almost as much as we value time spent with others.

7. We’ll come over with paint stains.

Even when we think we’re being super tidy, we’ll manage to have spots of paint lurking somewhere on us or our clothes. We’ll even manage to find a smudge of paint in between our toes in the shower. It’s best that you accept it as we have, because this is your life now.

8. We’re the most considerate inconsiderate people ever.

While we may be holed up in the studio from time to time, running late for dinner dates will never go unexplained. Expect a weirdly precise timing text (explaining that varnish coat one will finish drying in 30 minutes and applying the second coat will take 2.5 minutes) and an apology when we get there that ends with us telling you why you’re our favorite work of art. Picking up the check seems to help, too.

9. We have a weirdly high pain tolerance.

Growing up tinkering with everything means we’ve probably landed on painting after a considerable amount of cuts, scrapes, and bruises. I have my fair share of burns from trying (and failing) to use a metal contraption to complete a wood burned painting. Who knew something so small could heat up so fast, huh? Knowing what my flesh smells like at various stages of burning means I don’t freak out over a cut when cooking, if I say anything all. It’s almost a seamless transition from cut, to sink, to bandaging. You can expect that almost harrowing robotic response from your painter partner in a similar situation.

10. We have a weird sense of humor.

Having such a vivid imagination definitely gives us an edge in our field, but it’s just another feature that we can’t turn off. Don’t be surprised when we laugh ourselves silly over hypotheticals that would never have crossed your mind. Or if we empty our bellies laughing over a simple story. It’s not simple to us. As soon as someone starts raving about a near-death experience with an Uber driver, we’re imagining it, almost too vividly, and painting in a few extra features that make it otherworldly to us.