Or better yet their sketchbooks if they’re available to the public. The early days tell better, accurate stories that include being shite for a time.
Take this photobook from William Eggleston, it looks like someone’s A-level photography portfolio and yet this man became an ICON.
Genius is a load of bs. Your faves practiced everyday.
Side note: go to your fave artists cv, scroll down to the first major thing and research.