Am I wrong about of crayons?

This first image is someone else's work. I am posting it because it fits with today's topic. The person who drew this just was busting out drawings at the table. Its exactly the kind of thing I didn't do when I was their age and don't do now.
I seem to keep going to crayons. Am I wasting my time? Is there an inherent problem with crayons or is it just how they are used. I keep looking for something more stream lined, clean or even crisper than I usually do. Somehow when I am working on something I keeping forgetting what I am shooting for. Not to mention I keep using photos as subjects rather than just sitting at a table in the restaurant and drawing.

Time will tell.
r.