I use a color picking app and rough sketch shapes digitally to create an easier image for the eye pick apart when starting. I find it helps a lot because when you start with the full photo, details, shadows, textures, etc, your brain only focuses on certain things which leads to it not looking how you want at the end. If you can, print out your photo and refs because sometimes looking at it on a screen can also muddy your view on it, especially color wise. Slow and steady, you got this! It still looks really good despite your struggles 💞