Thank you everybody, I have enough to make a start.

2 further queries - is a  'rather high-cheeked Asiatic'  the facial shape to start with when trying character modelling?
Also what is the correct or closest acceptable skin texture for a character - I assume the old Hollywood 'Red Indian' is a myth. 

Being from Northern England, I have no first hand knowledge of this area.
It would be interesting to hear from a member of the ethnic group who is also a 3D modeller or artist, what textures they use or how they portray this