/ic/ - Artwork/Critique

Realistically speaking, how much time should it take to get at the exact same level as something of this quality if I'm obliviously inferior and I study on and off? (Art friend of mine, he has a lot of the strenghts I wish I had in my art and is pretty fast at pumping out pieces and quick doodling). Got told "1 year and something is enough" judging by people looking at my skill level, but I'm kind of doubtful since he can also do plenty of things that shows he has plemty of experience. I've been drawing everyday for the last few weeks but I'm not improving as fast as I want (and I have myself to blame because I don't study fundies that much, and I've started to hate the "art style" I'm stuck with due to my lack of knowledge), and I told myself that I'll need to get on an initial competent skill level before starting making comics at all (I care about art quality as much as writing quality, but can't afford better artists than me). Pic related is an example of what I mean by "initial competent skill level", once I am as good as him or comparable I'll start getting into comics making from scratch. I am specifically working to get competent at organic form, gesture and shape design alongside decent knowledge of anatomy, enough detailing and better faces and hands. What do you guys suggest?