(Referenced from @simmishoes on Instagram)

If you're the kind of person who doesn't use references in art because it's considered 'cheating' or not 'your own work' or whatever other reason; then I highly suggest you start using them!
I remember I wanted to enter an anime art competition once but you weren't allowed to use any form of reference. Which sucked because I had no idea about how anatomy worked at the time (even now if I'm honest) so I couldn't do the pose I wanted. And in the end just drew a bust-up portrait and lost (unsurprisingly).

I used to try to draw all my pictures from whatever my young mind made me think was my knowledge of anatomy. This wasn't helpful at all because I don't know Jack about how the body works and proportions and etc.

I think references are key to improving because what better way of improving than drawing from experience and real life. I mean, for example if you wanted to draw a person riding a bike but had no idea about how a person looks while riding or even how a detailed bike looks, nothing should have to stop you from going to google and searching 'person riding a bike' for reference!

This may sound harsh but I truly believe you can't improve in art unless you use references sometimes; from either pictures, other artist's work or real life.