I see where you are coming from, and you might have actually changed my mind to experiment with PBR. When I started this model, I wanted to basically recreate what I saw in the reference image. I only wanted to hand paint it because that is something I am somewhat familiar with, but this may be a good chance to branch out.…
Haven't even tried sculpting yet, though I want to. That said, this was done with hard modeling by blocking out the basic shape. As for texturing, I wanted to give hand painting a go, because it is something I have done in the past. PBR on the other hand, completely new to it. By new I mean, haven't even tried it.