Thank you very much! If I’m drawing certain imagery for the first time then yes, I will use reference. Though usually I will try to draw it myself first (..and as expected will look like absolute crap). I don’t really know where the ideas come from though. I don’t do much planning, and very rarely will I put together an idea in my head before drawing it.  

I too, very frequently will get artist’s block, and I know how much that unmotivated feeling can bring you down. I always get that feeling that I won’t survive in the industry with the competition I’m up against, but dwelling in those thoughts and waiting for that spark of inspiration to come back won’t help you move forward at all. I know for a fact that there’s a lot I can improve on, so during those periods of time I like to do studies on subjects I believe I need working on, doing some still life sketches, or brushing up on techniques, which I know can be pretty tedious. But when your motivation comes back you’re bound to see improvements on the aspects you have worked on. The work I post online is maybe only 50% of the drawings I have done, the rest being crappy and uninspired sketches that are for my eyes only.

Never stop drawing, especially during your crummy times!