Do you struggle to create your own blending combos?

I see a major problem in Copic Marker and colored pencil classes. I’m starting to see it in watercolor now too. I have students who can color any project I throw at them. Many of my students color my class projects better than me!

As long as you’re given a list of blending combinations and step by step instructions, you can color like a professional.

But when working independently— coloring your own ideas and choosing your own colors and blending combos… your projects look beginner-ish.

How is this possible?