Tracing Question

[queen plinth]

Hello fellow artists!
I’m a digital and traditional artist who’s slowly transitioning to working fully digital. I’m starting to get the hang of it, but there’s one thing that’s been bugging me.
When I start a piece, I put my reference on a separate layer, then roughly block out the object I want to draw in grey using a big brush. After that, I turn off the reference layer and finish the drawing while looking at the reference in another window, using my initial grey shape just as a base and a starting point.
My question is, does this count as tracing? My goal is to improve my skills and learn to draw freehand, so I want to make sure I’m building good habits and NOT just relying on tracing. I’d love to hear your thoughts!

[shut dawn]

In my opinion I think its a good way to start, get the feel of the silhouette youre drawing, but then question is are you understanding the shape? Or are you only doing it for that one end result for that one piece. Since you mentioned the goal is to draw freehand, then I would look for ways to slowly transition to that. For example you could cut the reference so youre blocking only a piece of it, but then would use your own learning curve to block the rest, like a mini challenge. And then maybe smaler piece each time to the point youre freehanded. Just a suggestion so you don't have to rely on blocking on top of reference anymore as an end goal

Btw are you blocking on top of the reference? Cus I kinda took it as that. But blocking beside the reference is fine

[queen plinth]

Thanks for you reply! I block on top of the reference. I agree with you that I should understand the shape of the reference, not just doing it for the end result. I'll definitely try to break the habit and free hand instead.