Start of the Gladiator Project

Designing a gladiator is not an easy task. Back in those days, in order to be able to fight like that, you had to be in very good physical condition. That means that when I actually get to model it, I will have to reflect that.

Reference is key, so I started looking for it right after I found out about this project. From anatomical, sculpts and drawings, face models, to clothing. I have to have everything mapped out, so when I get to actually making him, I will have an already well-defined idea of how I want him to look like. I chose my gladiator to be male, seeing this project as an opportunity to learn more about the muscle structures of the body. 

As for the face, I have already mapped out a picture for him. Looked through tons of photos, and I decided to make him a mix of multiple people, taking the nose from one guy, the lip shape from another, the eyebrows shape from another, and the semi profile from another. I want him to be unique, and that seems the best way to achieve that.

As for the clothes, I am not planning on going crazy with them. I want to showcase the musculature, so I'm thinking about maybe a shoulder pad, some fabric around his waist, maybe some slight armor on the lower part of his legs.