miller41,
Faces can be done (along with alot of other details) as a series of washes. THese can be built up using varying ratios to achieve different values of paint.
My first job after primer, is to lay in the base coats. These start out as 3:1 (water to paint) and are laid on in several coats till I get a nice even base. This may be 2 or 3 coats to achieve what I'm looking for. This covers skin, clothing, accessories. Once done I work my highlights. This starts as a 4or 5:1 then 3:1using successive layers to build up values and tone. Then I do the same for shadows working in the other direction (starting with lightest dark value working to darkest shadow). Its easier to paint dark over light.
I then use a mid tone wash (5:1) to even out the layers and reduce drastic contrast levels between light and dark. A dry brushing of a highlight (4:1-3:1) to give my final hifhlights and I'm done. Washes, if done correctly will bring out an amazing amount of detail on smaller figures and dry brushing can add simple highlights. The target is to give the impression of detail without having to go blind or develop a case of the shakes to achieve it. i.e. a very thinned blue wash on the cheeks and chin will give the impression of a 5 o'clock shadow when in reality we know that its beard stubble. The impression works in smaller scales. Same with dark washes on facial detail. You can get away with alot by using a dark wash. Look at someone standing outside from about 20-25 feet away. How much facial detail can you see? From that distance, outside, with the person squinting in the sun can you see the whites, corneas and pupils of his or her eyes? or do you see dark slits?
This is a 1/35 figure I did using vallejo acrylics and using the above techniques to achieve my results.
Above all, you are off to a great start and with practice, perciverance and yes, some failures you will eventaully achieve great results. Learn from your mistakes and early projects and you'll find that each one gets easier and a little better. Don't be afraid to experiment.
Mike
"Imagination is the dye that colors our lives"
Marcus Aurellius
A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...but, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "Damn...that was fun!"