I am learning through chatting with two of the greatest Poser minds we have in our community that creating realistic-looking (and to some degree, perhaps, realistic-acting) materials is a judicious blend of maths and art. You can do just so much with maths alone, and just so much with textures and effects alone. Like Replicand, I'm learning Algebra with 3D as my primary motivator, but I'm also studying the shaders behind some of the most compelling works I've purchased. Getting a grip on both of these approaches is going to make the difference in my renders.

Above all, let's make sure we have fun doing this. Me, I'm a bit past that: I'm obsessed.

Yeah, so textures are going to play a role, here. Hmmmm, Genetica... I had looked at that, actually, Nanette. I'm learning Kamilche's Stitch Witch (I'm going to need crutches to carry my brain around, soon ... lol) in order to do some re-texturing of some of the clothing I've bought in the past, so Genetica might prove interesting.

Monterey/Mint21.x/Win10 - Blender3.x - PP11.3(cm) - Musescore3.6.2

Wir sind gewohnt, daß die Menschen verhöhnen was sie nicht verstehen
[it is clear that humans have contempt for that which they do not understand] 

Metaphor of Chooks