The secret to "Getting to Step 1"
What IS Step 1 anyway?
Usually Step 1 shows a canvas or paper with a drawing already on it.
This is a useful place to start the action of painting, but it doesn't help the student know how to get there on their own.
I believe all students need to be empowered to know how to decide what the drawing on the canvas should look like based on their ideas, feelings and preferences, not the teacher's.
I helped students all the time get to their Step 1, and from those experiences I was able to develop this How-To Guide for them, and now for you.