I don't think he is a true art thief. It seems he just uses you as main model for his art.
You see he didn't traced lines, but just tries to "copy" it and yet he keeps his own different style.
I totally agree with whay you said then: we all started like this. I remember I used to copy Street Fighter artworks and Dragonball characters-positions not only because I liked the design, but especially for their dinamicity (I had difficulties to draw bodies, perspectiove etc)...with the only difference that I put my characters instead. lol