sketchbook: katerina yonce
Hey guys, my name is Kat. I'm currently a student in the Dallas area and i just started doing 3d modeling. This barrel is my 1st prop and i'm looking forward to doing more 3d! First time doing a low poly, high poly, textures and even posting screenshots. I would like to thank Raul and Phillip for helping out! You guys rule! 
Replies
1. 2048 is way too large of a texture size for a prop like this. A prop this size should have a texture size of 256 or 512. If you plan on it being seen close up maximum size of 1024 but even then that's a little much for a barrel.
2: You could probably knock down your tri count in half on a prop of this size. I understand that the nozzle is eating up a majority of the tris on this. The little round plug thing in the middle could probably be just in the normal map or maybe just a little less divisions.
Other than those things its a nice start. Keep up the good work.
I hope that made sense, its late and I am so tired. peace out and great job so far.
Like Paulewog said, the metal bands looks too flat. Maybe make the wood grain a little bit deeper also since its suppose to be an old barrel?
I believe their tris count was 500, and I'm sure you can get yours down to that, also Brett's Adv. Character Modeling class did a barrel last quarter too, they had some nice results, either way, keep modeling, I can't wait to see what else you do ^_^
- Katia