WIP Football Character

[MDhennin]

I've been working on this off and on for a couple months. Finally finished up some minor details and posed it. Still needs some work. Just posting what I have so far. Screengrab from Maya and tweaked color in Photoshop.

[Polygoblin]

I remember seeing this project a while ago and it's coming along well. I'm a big fan of the concept and face, but the equipment is lacking major details that would really make this character "pop". I am a big football fan, so I believe my input can really help here. I believe I suggested the same things the last time I critiqued your work, so sorry if I'm repeating myself, I just feel it is really important.

First, your shoulderpads come down past the sternum, which would make any football player uncomfortable any time they bend at the midsection (which is ALWAYS). Second, the back of traditional shoulder pads are connected, with the front being the only place open (with laces). Third, you are missing many other subtle features that describe how your pads are attached and functional. Review this picture and try to understand that every detail on these pads has a FUNCTION. Add some of these details to tell a story of how these pads are used/worn.

The laces on yours arn't even tied, but pulled straight across. Things like this vastly reduces realism.

Another thing is the similar lack in functional details in the pants. I think your character would greatly benefit from hip and tailbone pads. At the very least, the pants should have some kind of buckle, laces, or strap to keep them tight around the waist. They are stretchy pants, NOT spandex. They need help staying on.

Same goes for the shoes and helmet. Very bland and lacking structural/functional details. These subtle details MAKES and BREAKS your design, it doesn't just makes it look pretty. For example, strips of tape are often used in games to keep things even tighter than the laces and straps can provide. Keep things like that in mind

Lastly, the line separating your abdominal muscles and obliques is way too harsh. No matter how muscular you are, your muscles do not part like that. This can be an easy fix, and might be able to just blur your maps in PS.

This may sound like a rough critique, but its only because I really like the idea and with a few minor changes, could be something really special. All that said, the texturing looks real nice so far, and I'm digging the pose