Way of the pencil = Way of the pixel

[Alpha Six]

I don't think it's true at all, but drawing definitely does help a little bit.

Or maybe it doesn't.

Who knows ? I've been spriting for six or seven years and it took me five before I even became semi-decent, and I started off drawing. Everyone's different, the only thing I can say is try it and see if it works out for you.

EDIT: It DEFINITELY helps to take drawing classes though, learn about perspective, anatomy, etc, and apply those in your sprites.