I have this idea about getting better as a painter and it is to really understand the pieces that you are trying to paint. One way to do that is to work in various formats small medium big and huge until you really get the feeling for the subject. Sometimes it is also helpful to change the shape of the work from vertical to horizontal, rectagular to horizontal or to change the emphasis of the piece like one version is color and line, then value and line, than color and texture or warm and cool colors reverse and the possibilities are endless. Think about it.