Thanks for the info everyone.

Is there a preview of that book anywhere, so I can see what it's like?

Anyway, I started with the silo tutorial suggested, and here's what I ended up with:

So yeah, that model is awful, but the tutorial itself was helpful in getting me approaching things in a good way.

So I went out and found some more reference images (focusing on a Sinornithosaurus), including a skeletal diagram which I printed out so I could work out in pencil where the various quads would be, and then I basically just kept refining things.

I'm now at a point where I know my model still needs more work, but I'm not quite sure how best to continue, and hopefully I can get some tips here.
(Is this the best forum to ask in, or should I jump over to Critique?)

Anyway, here's my current model, and some close-ups of detailed parts:

And since I guess it's useful, here are some of the reference images I used:

I'm not aiming precisely at a Sinornithosaurus - I just want a Dromaeosaur that is athletic and streamlined, and will end up looking cool when textured/feathered/etc - needs to look realistic but not looking for paleontological accurancy. :)

With what I've got at the moment, my main concerns are:

• The body shape isn't quite right, especially the upper arms and legs.
• Not sure I've got the head-shape done right either, possibly too flat... or something.
• Is there a good way to add teeth without lots of sub-dividing? Maybe several Extrude Inners?
• Not certain the feet look strong enough to support the weight?

If anyone has specific comments on those points, or just general suggestions on how to improve, they are of course very much appreciated.

Thanks!