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Nice tips
Life doesn't distribute talent fairly so knowing your limits is a great step. I don't buy the monkey and typewriter (word processor now) theory. My virtuosity on the violin lasted milliseconds and the monkey would have got there with fluent quartets long before me. Best quality materials and tools give a modeller a fighting chance to improve so ditch the "a poor workman blames ...." saying. Magnification and macro photography are 2 great adjuncts to jolting you out of self satisfaction. Go round shows and buy a few choice examples you think are good and better them. If you are good you can better the best. Tiny figures they are but the painting needs planning and should be thorough so that detail is not obscured or the colours look wrong. Expect to never be satisfied with what you do because none of us are and don't capitulate.
finally
I always blame a crude overall effect and resistance to my fine detail painting techniques on poorly designed figures There is always some saying about a silk purse and sow's ear to salve my ego.
As others have stated, magnification is your friend. As well as desk magnifiers, consider a head visor - the very affordable one from Rolson is one of the best purchases I've made for these ageing eyes.