I find myself almost everyday looking up fantasy material reading a little bit of information, each day on dwarves. elves, goblins, orcs, and the such.  "For what you maybe asking?", well i think it is part of how i start most of sketches and work these days.  I am a huge fan of fantasy realm art, especially like artist such Todd Lockwood.  His work the past several years have served as much need inspiration to my work.

       Anyway back to the topic all the looking up reading and info searching eventually drives my character design process, giving some characters i create on pencil huge story backgrounds for the realm that was created 6 years ago for a story thats still being worked on till now.

       With each looking up and searching and referecing (i.e. D&D, Forgotten Realms, Tolkien lore, Warhammer  lore, even Warcraft lore)  I build on that knowledge in order to come up with something different.  I know nothing is new these days, when this material is out there, i just like to believe u can still create things just by basing material of existing and still make it your own, while creating that piece or illustration you like.