/ic/ - Artwork/Critique

I feel like I'm getting better at copying sure, but how do I study? I don't want to fall into the trap of mindlessly copying. I mean. I understand Hori likes to use THICK fucking lines but if I don't have an actual reference to compare it to, is this actually doing anything for me? Like, I don't know how to draw a fucking eye so how could I understand how he does?