My characters tend to do what they wish as soon as i get a base. for example:
I once needed a character idea. i drew a sketch of my friend, but with a slightly changed personality(Slightly changed, because she lives with different people) THen, I re-imagine them, so htey look different, and they aren't my friend in my head, but someone new, that i have yet to meet. Hten, i start to write from their point of view. After a while, this character starts to be influenced by the people and setting placed around her, and wants to choose her own decisions. After a while, she advances, and i can almost forget who it was based off of, for the different things around her.
Sometimes, though, I have had to quit writing stories because the character does something i didn't want her to do, and therefore she ruins my plot line.
DO what you do, is my advice. try things. explore new optiions. mix and mingle said options. after that, you'll fidn what's right for you