Hey Inquisitive_Scholar nice start, the proportions of the shield seem spot on although you may want to bend it slightly so that it has a curve to it (the amount depends on how stylized you want it to look). Modelling wise, the first thing that jumps out at me is the lower poly count around the edge of the shield, this is the main focus and largest part so I would expect to see more polys allocated to that (as opposed to the metal circle in the middle for example).
As for the texture, the metal appears to be quite light and the wood quite clean and light. Here is an example of a shield concept I really like, one of the shields at the top is very similar in design to yours ( http://media.moddb.com/images/articles/1/129/128608/auto/5shields.jpg ). The variation in colour and the wear and tear on the wood in the concept really sell it for me and the metal also appears damaged and aged. I would also include some studs on the leather bands texture so that it appears to be attached to the back of the shield. I would only add these to the texture though, using polys there would probably be a waste (assuming you are going for a lower polygon asset) as it will mostly never be seen.
Good luck, this is a good start and I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.
Added more polygon to the edge of the shield giving it a much smoother look. I darkened the metal texture adding a few scratches to it and the wood texture also. As for the leather straps, I added by texture some studs and I also curved the shield a bit more.
I modified the texture to make the metal a bit darker but to also make the scratches stand out more. I also messed around with the camera's exposure to bring out the color that was appearing a bit dull.
Great progress on the modeling so far - much less polygonal than before! I like the bolder scratches! However, they seem a bit too uniform most are either at a 45 degree or -45 degree angle which seems very artificial and jarring. If you look at a "real" battle worn shield like this one: You'll see that the scratches are at a wide variety of angles. The metal texture on the side of your shield also seems a bit stretched. Keep up the good work!
Keep in mind scratches on a real shield would also be of varying lengths as well, coming from the variety of damage the shield would take (from different weapons and objects being hit against it!)
If you're not planning on painting or sculpting one by hand, googling for a "scratch texture" might be your best bet. Don't forget to make most of your big scratches darker, to represent the occlusion and buildup of dirt into the creases they create - on wood, scratches lighter than the base material should really only be used to represent light abrasions (which your latest version seems to have too much of, and with too pronounced a color).
That texture is stating to get really muddy looking. What i mean is its looking messy. I understand you are trying to add wear/damage/dirt but those things should be place with care and purpose and right now it feels kinda random.
Think of how it would get scratched and when it would get dirt on it(for example short deep scratches are from throwing daggers and arrows, dirt would build up in crevices and along the edges when it would be placed on the ground.
Also what is the resolution you have for this seems kinda low?
Make it fun: Every time you're adding a scratch, imagine the scene in which the shield was being stricken. Also, if the rest of the shield is this damaged, the metal in the middle would be too!
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As for the texture, the metal appears to be quite light and the wood quite clean and light. Here is an example of a shield concept I really like, one of the shields at the top is very similar in design to yours ( http://media.moddb.com/images/articles/1/129/128608/auto/5shields.jpg ). The variation in colour and the wear and tear on the wood in the concept really sell it for me and the metal also appears damaged and aged. I would also include some studs on the leather bands texture so that it appears to be attached to the back of the shield. I would only add these to the texture though, using polys there would probably be a waste (assuming you are going for a lower polygon asset) as it will mostly never be seen.
Good luck, this is a good start and I'm looking forward to seeing your progress.
You'll see that the scratches are at a wide variety of angles. The metal texture on the side of your shield also seems a bit stretched. Keep up the good work!
If you're not planning on painting or sculpting one by hand, googling for a "scratch texture" might be your best bet. Don't forget to make most of your big scratches darker, to represent the occlusion and buildup of dirt into the creases they create - on wood, scratches lighter than the base material should really only be used to represent light abrasions (which your latest version seems to have too much of, and with too pronounced a color).
I then experimented with a grunge look on top of the dirt texture
Think of how it would get scratched and when it would get dirt on it(for example short deep scratches are from throwing daggers and arrows, dirt would build up in crevices and along the edges when it would be placed on the ground.
Also what is the resolution you have for this seems kinda low?
Used blending styles to have scratches on the metal
Tried painting dirt on the metal scratches
Anyone have suggestions such as advice or tutorials on how to make scratches on the metal or wood?