I know what you mean, that's what I thought...(being from a BASIC background in the days of home computers...and...no sprites)

Just make sure you have got everything on screen you wish to show whilst calling Repaint;

When drawing an image or in fact, any other drawing command; it writes stuff to a "buffer" first...so when you call 'Repaint' it appears instantly and flicker free...

Use Repaint when you need it as it is apparently slow, however writing to the "buffer" is not.