If it's any consolation TJ, I've never painted a figure or bust the same way twice. I tend to block out areas with a base coat colour and then work on building up contrast through highlights and shadows, but sometimes I'll do things in reverse just because I can. Sometimes I paint the flesh first, sometimes I paint it last. I tend to paint and then do touch ups, and then paint and do more touch ups. It's a rather random process for me, and I like it that way. Other painters would find my process hard to understand.
No painter wants to tell another painter exactly how to paint his figures, because we have all developed (or more accurately, are in the process of developing) our own painting styles. Some people are very disciplined and paint every figure by an exact process that produces a very predictable and consistent result, but I'm more of a chaos painter. I like to experiment and try new things in the hope that I might find a new or better result by approaching the task of painting differently. Sometimes it works and sometimes its a complete failure, but I'm never doing something the same way twice. It helps to keep my hobby fresh and exciting for me. After 45 years of modelling, I'm also old enough to know that the more I learn, the less I know.
The point of all this is, is to say "do what you feel is right and what works for you". Practice techniques that you borrow from other painters, try new things and don't be afraid to throw away all the "How to.." books, DVD tutorials, You Tube videos and advice from others, and just do what looks and feels good to you.
If a particular modeller does a technique that you really like or achieved an effect on his figures that you'd like to try to replicate on your own figures, the best advice I can give is to contact the modeller directly and simply ask "How'd you do that?"
Most of the modellers on Planet Figure are happy to provide advice to other modellers when asked and to share their tips and techniques.
