not odd at all. i do both. some characters i can't help but see as certain actors -- right down to the voice. however, there is one particular character that is specifically patterned after an image i saw on a photographer's portfolio. i think the portrait is of her brother. as for setting, i collect images online all the time. sometimes they're out of period films. sometimes antique store catalogs. anything that helps. and that's the answer. don't fuss over it. it works for you and that's all that counts.