General Krita & brushes I use
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REFS
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BRUSHES
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Using a reference is not a bad thing. Try to learn to use a reference loosely, however, which is very easy in Krita as it has a separate window for you to keep your ref out of the way but always visible! It also allows you to color-pick directly from a reference! Be honest about your work and when you use references. If you draw directly over a reference, trace it, etc - that's fine! But be honest about it. I used to do that when I was learning things like proportions, loose strokes, etc. It's fine! Try to respect your references, however - if you can find the source of your reference, respect their wishes if they don't want their work referenced. Even if you use a reference, you're still creating your own artwork. You're not a lesser artist just because you use a reference and don't ever let anyone tell you that you are! Working from imagination is great, but sometimes you need a little help and something to look to. It's more important that you continue to create things than it is to strictly pull everything you make out of your head without any reference or help!
Brushes can be a great help or a great plague. If you're struggling to find brushes you like, push yourself a bit to try new ones. Experiment tons and eventually, you'll find brushes you really like and odds are, if you just keep drawing and keep trying, you'll also improve along the way. It took me months to find brushes I enjoy and I learned a ton of new techniques as I worked! Don't be afraid to try things out, just go for it. You're allowed to make bad art and messy art and all the art. It's fine. Don't be so hard on yourself and let yourself create!