For many years I am collecting macro photos of insects (all digital, of course). From that large heap of images I select the ones that affect me the most at that moment. Colour, pose, scenery, it really depends on what I want to make. Then I take that photo and start painting. I always start with the goal of "as real as fuck", but somehow little graffiti elements or coffee-infused colourchoices appear. :-) I also made several "diy-insects", where I just start to draw or paint and a non-excistent new species appears. :-) My mutant army. Yeah. :-) And all that work is merely an excercise, a preparation for a bigger project. :-)