I believe outside perspectives are important.
im not an artist in the usual sense. If I even draw something "original" I'm usually compositing an image together in photoshop using elements from other images and pre made brushes.

If you want to be a freelance artist, I can tell you that you either need to capitalize on your style and focus solely on it, or forever chase the fandom of the popular artist you're trying to be like.

If you want to work for a studio, I can tell you from experience of directing art in small projects that no one cares if you trace, reference or out right copy. You should technically try to alter it enough to avoid legal issues, but your directors just want the finished product.

The art community is retarded and suffers from having too many creative people and not enough realists to kick them down a notch or two. Their fake rules that have no actual repercussions for violating, only apply to those who believe in the consequences of not following them. The popular e-artists take every shortcut they can.

>dood muh double spacing
fuck off, it's easier to read this way.