best way

[Trillipse]

any ideas for the "best way" to develop an interest in painting/sketching/both?

[dot.hawkes]

Invest in a course at a local adult education college, that way you have an incentive to attend and buy the equipment which as you have bought you need to use.

[CatGoddess]

doodle, sketch, just practice. Most importantly don't put pressure on yourself to create a work of art, have fun.
And remember, art comes from within so don't let anybody elses self imposed rules on art rule you. Just play and have fun.