WOW! I really like how you play with emission materials for your lighting in particular.
The part that intrigues me the most is those glowing swirls and the crack across the chest. Is this what you meant by messy topology and the knife tool?
Personally I’m too rigid about such things and trying to get a “nice” mesh even if nobody will see it. I think it’s cool that you focused on the creativity and appeal of the piece, because in the end, in a still render it only matters what you can see, right? 🙂
You’re going places. Keep it up!
