This is another chicken or egg issue for me. When I decide on a project, I pick from my stash and see what fits. From start to finish it's a happy mess of pulling pieces and laying them out. I immediately know what doesn't work and when I have a general idea of thumbs up, I leave the pile and review them for a day or two. (Different times of day - different states of sober lol)
I have had color classes and have read assorted books, but I have never just doodled to come up with a design. I have taken a design and doodled it into submission.
On occasion, the plan gets scrapped and a new one emerges. ....but that was BQB. Now, if I get stuck, I can ask here. :lol: