Viewing on a 21" CRT. I have not read the whole thread. With respect to the first image, I think the overall lighting looks very good, and integrates very well with the photo. To me the figure's skin looks desaturated in red. I have taken some liberties with your image. In the image above, the original figure is on the right. My idea of the skin colour to match the photo is the figure on the left. I'm no spring chicken, perhaps it's just macular degeneration setting in.

P.S. Great figure :)