Reddit reviews Animal Drawing: Anatomy and Action for Artists

This is definitely a great approach! I wish more artists in this community would step back to study fundamental things like this.

I suggest looking at your references as you draw, and don't worry about memorizing it. That part will come with time. As you draw you'll become more and more familiar with the subject and won't need to use references as much.

Also I highly recommend the book Animal Drawing: Anatomy and Action for Artists. It's a collection of essays and detailed anatomical drawings of various species and has a ton of really helpful information. I go back to it any time I feel like brushing up on a species I haven't drawn in a while.