Being a newcomer here after someone directed me here, I would have to suggest a learning strategy upon this particular tirade. You membership artists, whether hobbyists or professional of talents need to really consider some essential criteria. Art does not just come from whatever you can fabricate via the various props and meshes one can gather throughout this domain; art needs to come from inside, not from the outside. Although using aids is acceptable, you cannot just expect to create a mastery by looking upon all those items you may gather up and say, now I will amaze them all by using this, and this, and this, and this here and create a wonderpiece of original quality and individual style. The day one is able to speculate and plan their particular crafts without so much as depend on any wares one has accumilated and pull it off with precision, that will be the day you will know independance and true artistic talent. Go within your own heart and mind and imagine, for imagination is not made up of whatever arsenal is at your disposal, imagination is the make up of whatever you as an artist can conjur up even without any particular aids. Try to create a storyboard or idea of what you will make on canvas without even looking at your supplies or toys and then do exactly what comes from within and if you can pull this off even close enough to see your own vision, then, you will have learned much. If others can also attain even a hint of that same vision within your work, then you will have mastered a technique of your very own. A rare element of self style, self worth and self truth is only a good standalone paintbrush and a blank canvas away.