Is this a good daily practice routine?

[MajesticChicken]

I'll be attending an art school later this year and I'm trying to build up my foundational skills as much as possible so I can make the most out of what is being taught.
Right now I'm copying pictures from da Vinci & Vallejo as they seem to have a supreme command of anatomy as well as shadow & light.
I follow those up with a little bit of gesture drawing, trying to establish dynamic poses and get my bearings on proper anatomy & musculature as fast as possible.

Is there anything I should change, introduce or remove from the routine?

[dpaint]

I would add life drawing at least once a week for at least 6 hours if you can, more would even be better. The reason is you want to learn to translate not just copy; the two are very different. Also maybe some construction techniques like Loomis and Bridgman, so you can learn invention.

[Nezumi Works]

I normally see gesture as one of the earlier parts of a day's work, since it makes such a great warmup and gets your blood flowing, but it's all personal preference. Seeing as you haven't started art school yet, just about anything that gets you drawing and painting a lot is a good thing. dpaint makes good suggestions, although I'd say at this point you should aim for volume as much as anything else. Get used to producing a lot, thinking about what you're doing, and observing all the time, and you'll have a good chance at surviving your classes.

[MajesticChicken]

Thanks very much for the tips guys, I'll be sure to implement them!

[Sacari]

I second adding some sort of drawing from life, even just a still-life would be great. Working from life and from an image are very different, so just sitting down and learning to observe real things will help you build that skill.
I agree with Nezumi, since you haven't started classes yet, your top priority should be getting into a routine that makes you draw ALOT, and then concentrate on what you want to improve.

[QueenGwenevere]

What everyone else said, yes. Here's something to consider: for foundation year, a lot of art schools will have a TON of life drawing and drawing still life subjects from real objects. So getting some advance practice in drawing people and objects from life will be mighty useful.

[SweetPea]

I especially second dpaints suggestion on construction.. learning to translate 3d to 2d via construction is so essential... and will help you a lot... in addition to bridgeman, who has a couple free books online which i can link you too, i suggest Hale. Also, and this is something I suggest to everyone... when you dont have anything to draw, draw your hand... its always with you and its great practice... very complex, but once you get the hang of it not very hard... just keep at it... do you have a sketchbook?

[MajesticChicken]

Yes I do have one, thanks again for the feedback!

[SweetPea]

no problem, post a link to it in your sig, and update it as much as possible.. doesnt have to be every day, but you DO need to draw every day