How to build an N64 character model piece by piece

[micheus]

Hi Fotomac, I'm not a 3D artist, but I'm going to left my comments. Maybe something could be of use for you.

I'm new to 3D character modeling, period,

That means you already have some 3d modelling skills, right?!

so I was hoping for a tutorial on building an N64 character model from scratch, piece by piece.

Unfortunately you will not find one made with Wings3D (I don't remember to have seen one)

Should I start with the face, the chest, or the feet? I was kind of leaning towards the feet myself. If we're to start with the feet, I'd like to know how to make a foot-in-Mary-Jane mesh which I was hoping to use for two of the characters in a game I've been trying to develop for some time now.

I don't think the start from the feet to top is a good idea - it's not the usual. Maybe if you are going to use a reference image. It's common we see people starting from the head or chest (which I think help us to keep the proportions among the other body parts).

You model in Wings3D using the Box Modelling tecnique.
So, since you know about the program's commands/GUI you are able to use any tutorial that uses the same technique, no mettering which 3D softwer you are using.
So, as a sample, this is a tutorial made with 3dsMax using that technique: 3ds Max Pokemon Pikachu Low Poly (part 1)