Paint your figures all flat black first, this way if you miss a spot or two it will look like shadowing.  Then start with the lighter colors and end with the darker colors for the clothing and skin.  Always use flat colored paints.

The sawmill has a permanent place in our hobby as an industry built in the sticks. The location of these structures usually is located far from civilization [ ... ]

Hopper Weathering Clinic III
By Bill Mock
January 2010

OK, I gave the inside of these hoppers a wash of Engine Black below the coal line. They [ ... ]

Adding Panel Lines to ACF Hoppers
Bill Mock
January 2010

Here's [ ... ]