theres a free tut on here about that.., modeling some character (and a dog) from image planes.

theres as many ways to model as there are people.., whatever works for you is how its done. check out the free tuts here.

i didnt make them but i did a lot of them!

the tuts ive sen for models usually come with top, side and front, but character can be different i guess.., now you mention it.., usually side and front