how to paint small figures

I just painted these figures as a commission, lots of flash to clean up first and big pin ejector marks in the backs. Despite being 45 year old molds, they aren't too bad, though.

Here's what I use for magnifiers,

Optovisor, about $30 at fine LHS and any online dealers. 

I just picked up a similar visor from the local model convention last weekend. The build quality is probably not as great as Ajlafleche's.  I'm pretty sure the optics are cheap plastic.  But it can adjust magnification from 2x to 4x to 8x and it was only $10.  The first thing I did with it was sculpt a helmet for a 1/51 tie fighter pilot.

This outfit works for me.  Most of these come with weighted bases and the hardware for the clamp-on option.  I have the opti-visor, but never use it anymore.  Too fiddly to fool with.

You might find it easier just to take your glasses off, and hold the figures close. Works every time for me.

Cheers,

Chris.