I honestly have a problem with artists who tell you not to reference their work. If you have anything remotely close to a picture of theirs then those big artists can ruin you. If I need help drawing a leg and I can't find a picture of a living thing, what's wrong with figuring it out through others work? I am sure they used to reference other artists. Tracing, that's a problem, copying, that's a problem, but glancing to help get anatomy?
If someone wants to draw in "my style" that's fine but some artists claim the style they use, they say not to copy their style.I'm sure there are 100 other artist with a likeness in style. People draw like Walt Disney all the time. They draw like Rebecca Sugar. But it is a style. Not a brand. Not a water mark. They are not stealing art. They are learning.