To answer the last question each one kind of contrasts from the last, shapewise.
Here I actually put the numbers down first as the starting point, that gives me a good idea of height.
If the heights contrast, the shapes contrast and it all describes a character I stick with it.
Then I fall back on reference to get ideas for specific variations.
pistachio: Are you going to finish these eskimo's or can/should other people?
That's a cool idea.
I'm thinking of finishing 1 or 2 of them as samples and letting you guys do the rest if the thread picks up any speed. Speaking of speed, that's coming soon, fo real this time...