My process
This is my approach on how to design a character:
I find inspirational references which helps me develop a story for the character.
Sketches help me combine my inspiration and flesh out the character's personality.
Eventually I create a painted piece for the client.
I did both a clay sculpture and a 3D model.
This is how I usually handle a modeling task. I had done a clay version of the model, but the client also wanted a 3D model for use in animation.