Should I start with narrative intent or shot matching for cohesive grading?

[James.R]

I've been editing my travel and documentary footage for a while, but I've always relied on basic correction and presets, and now I want to develop a more intentional and consistent approach to color grading to give my projects a distinct visual tone. I understand the basics of the color wheel and scopes, but I struggle to translate a specific mood or time of day into a practical series of adjustments in DaVinci Resolve that looks cohesive across different shots and lighting conditions. For editors who have moved beyond presets to develop their own grading style, what was your learning path? Did you find it more helpful to start with technical exercises like matching shots from films, or by focusing on the narrative intent first, and what are the key nodes or tools you always find yourself using to build depth and cohesion in a grade?