I am not very knownledgeable on Computer Graphics Maths, but i have an interest in Texture Synthesis so i might be able to help as i was not mathematically literate when i started. Here's my strategy :

1 - Find a recent research paper of low-medium complexity 2 - Read it in whole 3 - take note of any term i don't understand 4 - Read the research paper where this idea was introduced 5 - Repeat steps 3 - 5

I am currently reading a fascinating 1973 paper about how different statistics affect our ability to differenciate between different textures. I am not a pro of Texture Synthesis maths but i have a good idea of where the field started, where it is going and understand the decisions of modern papers much better.