You take the idea that the person has in their head, try to get as much information as possible about what is their vision and then you run with it. You add your touch to the watercolor. You make it your own. You sketch and study and work out color schemes. You get to know the subject until you feel comfortable with it. The painting slowly comes together in front of you and it’s done. Well almost done. There is that last dob of magenta that tucks nicely under the deep green of the distant trees. Nice, it ties together with the other splashes of magenta. Now your done.
So you take this painting that you’ve sweated over and present it to the owner. You’ve painted the painting so that it pleases you, now you worry if it will please them. Annnnnnd it does. The smile and the hug tell you that they love it.