when i previously answered this question, i was still on clip studio
since changing to krita, i've recreated the settings..
so this answer applies to all paintings since they are mostly all painted the same way (except the stuff made in kolourpaint)

other software i like/recommend:
workrave ~ good for avoiding RSI and taking breaks
gpick ~ nice palette program
sxiv ~ good photo viewer for x11

fanart of any sort is super ok, and fan characters too! i don't mind fan interpretations, writings, etc. as long as theres a sense of respect ...?

reposts are ok, though it depends on the site and if they link back. if ya source to me, sofa/yogurt200 then theres usually no problem..

there are endless ways to go about drawing, but the core thing for getting better at it is to just draw. draw everyday, or almost everyday if you can!
if you are primarily doing digital, always supplement with traditional drawing. sit down with some paper as often as possible.

studying is the best friend. i've done 'master copies' a lot in the past, you can take anything you feel like you'd learn from and copy it. sometimes tracing can help you learn things too.

while you are learning, you aren't focused on making finished products for people, you aren't drawing to make a post.
sharing art and the things that come with it are a second, extra step. it seems to become harder to enjoy drawing when getting caught up on what people (could) think.
you are drawing because you want to draw.
and even a seasoned artist will be ok with drawing a lot of things that never see the light of day.
what matters is that you are doing it and as long as you are doing it you're doing good!!!

almost every artist you ask this kind of question to will say observation is key. observation involves drawing from life, but also observing life too.

give a patient eye to all things even slightly visually interesting.. this will give your mind more to work with
make sure your visual diet is things that inspire you or make you happy. its easier to draw when you keep your mind on that track.
experimenting is good.. a style and aesthetic should just come natrually with time, so just consume anything that interests you. (surroundings, reading, looking, music, ..other media too..) & it will come out in your work in different ways

and likewise, if theres qualities you don't want in your art, no need to remind yourself of that everyday if you can help it. 'hate' can worm itself into your work if you're not careful. you can't control your subconsious, but you can certainly regulate the diet of what goes into it

on anatomy specifically, life drawing is really great and invaluable
practice, fill up pages with specific body parts you aren't familiar with
skeletons are a good starting point

warm up! give yourself some time to suck each day. warm up! this is real shit! you can make up your own warm ups, or take the old fashioned route of drawing much of nothing for a couple hours before the real heat comes in
websites such as posemaniacs help you warm up and keep your ability to draw bodies sharp. their models are samey and not a very good representation of what bodies are really like, but there are plenty of websites that use photographic references that are better for learning & study. 'line of action' is cool.
i highly recommend all the morpho books.. these are amazing!
i think giving yourself assignments can be fun as well. roll a dice and draw that amount of girls or something.. just get into it.
the pain can be daunting, but its with every skill that you experience some pain as you grow into it and gain ability..don't let this stop you. ride it out..take a break then push through and keep drawing.. :)

i know itch has some limitations with who can buy what, so thats my main reasoning for putting stuff on steam besides desiring a livable wage.

& in regards to merch, i will probably not do keychains again!..or anything of that sort!..
i'd like to do some printed media kind of thing sometime..
there could come a time when i make stickers.. i've had my heart set on that for a bit