On learning through "copying"

[John]

Haha! Why do I get the feeling you're asking just so you can get a positive affirmation on what you're about to do! Oh you silly silly boy you..

I'd be a hypocrite if I say "don't ever do it". I did a lot of copying anime and comic book artists back in my day. I did pick up good techniques, habits, and for better or worse, shortcuts. But a good, painstaking understanding of the subject made me aware of the bad ones. Believe me, bad habits are hard to kill.

If I had to campaign on the side of copying: If you're practicing, I'd say I'd go for things such as: gesture drawings, cast drawings, or old master copies.

Just so we're perfectly crystal clear on this one.

Would this be a good practice or not?

Not a good practice for building your basic artistic foundations!