What goes in...

Artists never stumble into a great work of art. They may stumble on an idea or a medium or a technique. But never on a masterpiece. That's because nothing can go into a work of art that isn't already in the artist. Emotional, experiential, intellectual or spiritual depth are channeled from the artist into the work. A drive for the sublime reaches the sublime in the artwork.

This is why the preparation of the artist is primarily the preparation of the human self.