A new painting starting. I usually begin with a warm, abstract underpainting, or an underpainting the oppposite color of the finished scene.  The more loose or sloppy the better, to a point. Big Brushes and rags. I like to try and pull out some features of this abstract field into the final piece. So it can be seen through thin paint. This is the point where squinting and "seeing" other recognizable shapes helps me. like saying," that cloud looks like a turtle or......"