Wow, I’m surprised to hear you’re a beginner! In that case, I apologize for being so harsh, haha. Well, consider it a testament to your knack for pacing that I thought you were more experienced.
I think it’s fair to do it from the ground up. And just like music creators can listen to and collect music, you can also view and collect images that speak to you as well. You don’t even have to refer to them them consciously in your projects; just collecting them is enough. The style will bleed into your work subconsciously.
Hopefully you will find this a suitable alternative. Best wishes to you, and I’m looking forward to your next project!