3D character modeling from ref. images

Now that we have setup the reference images, you may start tracing them.

•  The main reason I’m using these hand-drawn images is that I want to show you that it takes a very simple start to achieve great results, the challenge is knowing which options to follow from start to finish.
•  The other reason is that since this is about making your own movie (without spending a cent, of course), why not pick up a pencil and paper and start outlining your own envisaged cartoon character if you have some drawing skills. 
• Alternatively, you may already have a character that you may wish to model into a 3D cartoon character and animate. Why not use that character right away, right now?

When I started with 3D modeling I found the nose to be the most difficult part of the face to model. Things may be quite different for you. So I will start at the nose because it is lying on the axis of symmetry. You may start anywhere as long as it is along the axis of symmetry.

(The Blue Z-axis arrow in this image is sitting at the Axis of Symmetry)

Press Shift+A to bring up the Add Menu: click Plane to add a plane to your view. Resize it as shown. (Resizing = Select the plane, press S and drag).