pasih - yeah, do not give up... you will improve your skills.. when you just draw... sketch... paint.. everyday.. couple minutes is even enough. Doodling is fun.

Btw. in my opinion there is no nothing wrong to using references...
it is actually important when you are learning process. Pros uses also references a lot.

But using references does not mean that you trace images. Just use your eyes, brain, hand... it is essential skill to learn to look.

I throw couple of earlier N900 and MyPaint 0.7.1 doodles here..





The following one I do not used any reference, BUT I should have.







Ok I am sorry for spamming.. I hope that this gives some creative fuel for someone...



Tone aka Creativetone aka Luovatone
http://www.flickr.com/photos/creativetone/