Scott Moore is a painter with a very cool step by step gallery website showing the process he goes through in making paintings. it's not instructional, but it is fascinating to see how he goes from the idea stage, to reference and then through to the execution.
While studying animation, one of the classes was called 'Visual Language'. Among the many lessons learned in this class, was the use of scale to create drama. Scott Moore's paintings combine retro imagery (using old toys, objects) and miniature scale people to create nostalgic (and surreal) paintings to great effect.
Here are some images from his 'Gone fishing painting'
Here's a couple of his 'apple farmer' painting. first the pencils, then the finished image. The actual website shows many more steps.
Here's another one of his great works.
See tons more in-between steps and paintings at:
http://www.scottmooreart.com/gallery/gallery06.html