Using primitives in modeling is common (in fact it's how nearly 100% of models are made in the industry) it's just how it's applied that makes a good or bad model. 90% of the models I've made in the past were made with primitives. Just look for tutorials AND references, you can't rely on just tutorials that won't get you anywhere. My suggestion is to have a pic/sketch/drawing of what you want to model in the background. Model around that, if you have a GOOD reference you'll have a back, side and front view of the object. It takes practice. The only thing that doesn't use primitives is hair, as it doesn't allow you to give it a realistic flow. But on a better note that is a pretty good model for only your second.
