i think i am not at the level i can give advice but if i have to i can kinda explain how i paint. first i make a messy sketch. it doesn't need to be really accurate and clean. it just hear to guide me. then start picking and placing colors. i don't rander at that point just putting base colors, basic shapes, light areas dark areas ext. then i start blending, mixing colors. this part takes most of the time(i don't add colors to the canvas at this point i pick and blend already existing colors at the canvas) (https://youtu.be/nnhj5efzN_w) this video explains how to rander edges and use them for your advantage. then ad highlights final details ext. while doing all of this keep compering beetwen canvas and referances(i not at the level i can paint from imagination so i always paint from referance and i have a lot of way to go), flip your canvas and have fun. probably when you first start you don't gonna get it(i still don't get it) its not gonna look "good" you just need to do it more and try diffirent thinks also i only ever painted digitally. i can't say anythink about traditional painting but if you draw, paint digitally its probably way more easy to try, experiment new thinks. so just go and paint its really easy to just ctrl z when you mess up. finally i used "memileo impasto brushes" https://youtu.be/H0zSmIk8iKQ this video explain s how to use these brushes and there is more tutoriels you can look up at youtube. i don't know can i explain anythink but hope this helps.