I had no spur to do this, I just wanted to

Here is what I do first when I draw something big:

Step 1 of stage 1: Small-scale sketch

Basically, I get the idea and then sketch it out very briefly on a notecard or something.

Step 2 of stage 1: Large-scale sketch

Once I have the small scale done, I get the larger paper that I want to draw the actual artwork on, and copy the small scale onto it. As you can see, I changed things from the small scale when I put it on the larger scale, which is why I do both. I also make small notes on the corner of the larger scale, light enough that I can erase or draw over it, just as an outline for myself.

This is supposed to suck; it's just a guideline for how I want the finished art to look.