Figure Photography

Been trying to get to grips with indoor figure photography but dont seem to be having much luck ^^;

The tutorial that I have been attempting to follow is Super Rats famous "Figure on Cheap Lighting" and Lu-k's "Darker than Black Background".

For the following few pics, I got out the tripod and attached the SLR to the mac via USB so that I can see the quality on the monitor soon after I take the pic. Viewing the photo on the big screen makes it easy to check the lighting/blurring. All the software needed is included with the SLR although I find that the Mac software is crap.

Was the first time that I decided to "get serious" with indoor photography but didnt manage to get the results that I wanted...
Haruka is such a cutie!

Konomi is a cutie too. There is something strange about my Konomi - her skin gets oily for some reason @.@ Wondering if its to do with the heat? I have no idea but none of my other figures get oily...

Mirei is not only a cutie but a sexy cutie.

I think I'm going to stick to outdoor photography for now ^^;
Here are my tools. A baking oil brush that I got from a 100 yen shop for dusting off the figures.
The white card is for reflecting the sun.

Feel free to share you figure photography tutorial if you have one.