Video tutorials in youtube are quite helpful, you might want to try watching them and drawing the way they advice you to. I started drawing a little over month ago, and I made one of my best drawings on DAY 3 based on one video tutorial. Whereas my drawings made from reference have stayed pretty much the same, my drawings made WITHOUT reference have improved quite a bit.
EDIT: I noticed that the post above me gives pretty much the same advice... I guess I should read a little more carefully.
EDIT: I noticed that the post above me gives pretty much the same advice... I guess I should read a little more carefully.