might want to do something with the crossbow. as it is, it almost completely blends into the ground. it's at the edge of the backpack, and doesn't break the line of the container or anything else to contrast and make it pop. everything else is looking sweet, imo.
So this is what i started to play with the top texture was created by drawing squares in photo shop then applying blending option such as bevel and gradient overlay to create the desired star wars technology style pattern.
So, was I the only one who was expecting Brian Blessed? On a more serious note, you have some texture mapping artifacts on the feathers of his left wing, especially the bottom inner feather.
Your body work is good, but the head and the neck on the third image needs some work. The neck is proportionally too long for the torso and the eyeballs are bleeding into the lower eyelids. It's very good for first attempts though.
I think your alien creature thing looks cool but the eyes are really small and blend in with the character. I think it would look a lot better with a much larger and a much different color eye.
It will help cut down on texture samples too if you're cutting it a bit close to the 16 texture limit on a material. Usually though outside of something like a vertex blending shader, that won't really be an issue.
1) Make sure you exit sub-object mode before apply bend, otherwise it will only apply blend to whatever you have selected. 2) Have you changed the "Bend Axis"?
I am planning to learn a blend shape based rig system . Like the snappers one . Not sure if I'll do that with this guy or with a new one . But soon in future I'll try to animate my faces .
Have you tried building the rig using Cat? You get FK/IK hybrid blend for free. The axis locks should just work as simply as ticking the axis you want to lock.
Discovered you on deviantart a while ago. 'Tis beauntifous to find you here! Love your crisp, blended style, especially digging the half lifey one with all the film noir blinds goin on.