Here's a couple of tutorials you might like to look at for modeling the face/head. I quite liked the second one, I followed it from beginning to end a couple of years ago. It's based on 3DS Max but it should be easy enough to follow.
http://www.secondpicture.com/tutorials/3d/3d_modeling_of_a_human_head_3ds_max_01.html
http://www.bakaneko.com/howto/computer/3d/head/index.html
I usually create models starting with a low poly cylinder. It's easier to shape than a box. Everything in that model above started of as a cylinder :) As you can see, most of the detail is in the head. I even modeled the mouth, teeth, and tongue including tongue piercing ;)
Characters are by far the hardest thing to model IMO.
http://www.secondpicture.com/tutorials/3d/3d_modeling_of_a_human_head_3ds_max_01.html
http://www.bakaneko.com/howto/computer/3d/head/index.html
I usually create models starting with a low poly cylinder. It's easier to shape than a box. Everything in that model above started of as a cylinder :) As you can see, most of the detail is in the head. I even modeled the mouth, teeth, and tongue including tongue piercing ;)
Characters are by far the hardest thing to model IMO.