hello if ur an artist, use references. shit, copy off a movie poster if u want. its not stealing, and the stigmatization of that harms so many artists to this day.
your friends SHOULD disagree when you're in the wrong. they shouldn't agree with everything you do/say. let them correct you when you're wrong, debate your points...this isn't the mark of a false friend but one that encourages your growth instead of complacency.