Ive posted this several times, and it has worked out great for me, buy some magnetic stripping (1" wide). Then before touching up your base, glue this stripping to the bottom. When you travel to different games, you can just use a toolbox for you mini's, and they won't get bumped around.
Buy the basic color schemes, red, blue, yellow, green, black, white, brown, metallic gold, metallic silver. I also suggest for you to get some washes and inks from Games Workshop. They make fine detail a breeze, and don't cost "that" much. Ive found Walmart carry's an excellant selection of acrylics, and under $1 for bottles. The main paints above i got in the very large bottle.
Remeber, before painting to trim the slag off the figure. Also, when buying figures, try to check out the face detail. Some of the figures will have horrible detail, and the figure will turn out bad. Also, study your miniture before painting, think about the colors, and remember to use a white primer for lighter colors.
I have been painting for about 12 years now, and I love it. Also check out
www.hirstarts.com I think after some time and practice, you will love molding and making castles and such too. Have fun, and keep trying, skin tones can suck when you first start, don't get frustrated, just try try again.
(Soaking unclearcoated mini's in pinesol, brake fluid, or CLR will get paint off of a metal mini easy.)