Is it better to practice anatomy in art through trial and error, using your own imagination, or to constantly use reference and copy the realistic picture? I'll try drawing body parts, and I'll have to CONSTANTLY look at my foot, leg, etc, to MAKE SURE I draw it as perfect as possible. Then whenever I draw without reference, I'm not doing as well as I want to. Does a person grow in art better without reference, and just figuring the anatomy out themselves? I feel like if I did that, I'd have the anatomical understanding implanted into my head better, as it would take longer using constant reference.

For those who already have been drawing for quite some time, advice please? I know I've been bent on art for only a couple of days and that it takes years to improve, but I can't stand thinking I'm not using the best learning method out there.