(okay i know this is a day old but its an important subject) the advice 'draw from life' (different from realism) is used all the time, yes, but its not overrated - its essential. youre far better off listening to the many artists and art teachers who will tell you this, and later realising how essential it was for you, than realising later when youre stagnating and dissatisfied and finally get the message on your own. if you wait to start drawing from life because of stubbornness, youre gonna be kicking yourself when you start drawing from life later on and shoot up in ability.
drawing from life doesnt mean you have to draw realism. its about observing and studying how the body looks and moves, and exploring and understanding seeing and drawing in your particular style. if you start studying anatomy and figure drawing now, just inching in little bits of practice a week, youll quickly be set free from a lot of the limitations you might be feeling now as an artist. for centuries, artists have dedicated their lives to studying the human form and developing a artistic anatomy knowledge - learn what there is to be taught, theres no point trying to reinvent the wheel in the dark. (a really great place, btw, to learn abt anatomy and drawing people from life is proko on youtube. his classes are super helpful!! )
as the saying goes: to break the rules, you have to know the rules.