From what Ive heard, If your not looking to get hired, commissions, seem to be where the money is at. things like Deviant art and other communities' original characters etc.
If you still learning shouldn't really matter what you pick to work from so better pick something good ! When you start doing commission you be doing mostly fanart anyway ,might as well do few of this before hand also it will help with been notice ppl like what they know or if you work for a company that sell minis they…