I had some thoughts about stylization and realism lately. Its much easier and cheaper to find references, when your style is transformative enough, that the result does not trigger copyright laws. Its not really about the laws, its about your own perception. In my case i dont feel full ownership of my work, when i work from references i didnt produced myself. Even if i use images without copyright.
I tend towards realism, but the last couple of years were very frustrating. I tried to work from internet pictures, felt bad. I tried to work from life and my own photos, but that was way to hard and limiting. I would need a stable income from my art to legitimize all the hustle.