In this live session (Part 1), I start working on a Shri Ganesha string portrait—setting up the project and getting the foundation ready for the full design. This is the beginning phase where I focus on how I approach a portrait layout for string art, and how I plan the build so the final image comes out clean and recognizable. Since it’s a live part, the flow is more real-time: I’m building step-by-step, the way I actually do it at my desk. Because the transcript isn’t available here, I can’t quote my exact lines from the video, but the core takeaway of Part 1 is the setup mindset: start with a clear plan, keep your base neat, and build the portrait patiently so the thread work doesn’t get messy later. If you’re following along, treat this as the “prep + start” chapter—once the structure is in place, the later parts become much easier and more satisfying. And if you want extra perks and behind-the-scenes support, you can join my channel membership from the link in the description.