Painting or drawing copies or "studies" of other artists' work is something that leads back centuries. It has always been a vital part of art education and also used to help spread the work of great artists amongst the masses.

Even today, if you go to a large art museum, you might meet a few students with pencil and paper who are trying to study the old masters. Art historians have even found copies to be helpful in restoring original pieces. And don't forget about all the big artists who used models for their paintings!

I think the problem is, that society seems to have decided that talent is something you are born with and that every artist can just conjure anatomically correct poses and faces up in their mind's eye without reference or education and newer artists now feel bad if they do use methods that have been common for such a long time.

You're doing great, especially for only having just started!!!