If I use real pictures? Well, no, but after visiting my grandmother's house, and looking at her family's dog, I took a few mental notes. I drew this before I visited, though

And about references of other artists, I gather my favorite furry artists, compare my style to theirs, and see what they do better. I then try to improve on what I see as imperfect, mixing my style with theirs and others.

As for drawing from inagination... Uhh... Well, my imagination mostly thinks of just some random thing to draw, or the main storyline of my little universe, and illustrate some things from it.

But I draw better when I'm doing something like fanart. If you've seen my RTCW (Return to Castle Wolfenstein) fanart, then you'll know why! It's because the story is pre-made, and I just illustrate it!

I reccomend thinking of a situation to put your characters in, then illustrate it!