Acorn: I don't know why this is such a big ask- I made sure to temper my request with disclaimers to indicate that I know it's complicated, and I'm not looking for someone to do the work for me. All I need is to diligently piece together 100 ideas and intermediate compositing steps and methods, and I'm trying to collect those. I thought that's what these discussions are about- ideas about how to use tools and a compilation of tricks and shortcuts to get certain results.

I've reached out already. Interestingly enough, some artists don't wish to exactly divulge their methods, or they sometimes don't clearly communicate what they do, as it's so unspoken and innate; a physical process is sometimes tough to verbalize.