Pipeline in Character design
This is usual pipeline wich I have done when I worked on creating character concept
basic stages:
1.Different kinds of silhouettes to find the best
2.Black and White sketch (in this stage its good to draw for about three sketches)
3.Final color render
I think life gives you lemons, and the thing that I'm working on doing is not watering it down, not putting sugar in it. Just drink it straight. The more you can take life head on... it's gonna make you a better person, and then you have nothing left to be afraid of. And what an awesome way to live.