Thanks Steve. All these little tips and suggestions go a long way. If I use them from the beginning it should get better. I'll start on Sven the Viking on Monday probably.

I use the acrylic Thinner from Green Stuff World which allows you to make smooth transitions if you replace the dilution water with this product. Paint pigments disperse less and attach better to desired locations. If it can help you, I would be happy.

Good input from PF members, its down to practice, experimentation and guidance from these guys, just watch what you are doing with the big pictures that show up all sorts of flaws, it can very easily put you off, I know that I feel like throwing the brushes in the bin when I look at big pictures of my own painting skills but to the naked eye they are passable lol.
TERRY

Al, not sure if I am late, but a bit of advice on fez cord and tassel......it was done in simple tissue thread, there were no metal parts, I would use shades of yellow, not metallic paint

Never too late. From now on I will use yellows. Thank you for the advice.