Mark,
A few simple tips that you might find useful.

1. Search out SickleYield's tutorials on DeviantArt. They're good and one of them deals with setting up your first scene.

2. You mentioned lighting being something of a problem. Google 'free hdri' and get the ones you like the look of. Also get the free RedSpec HDRI pack from DeviantArt.
   Set up a figure in your scene with a camera. Make sure the camera is selected in the Scene tab, got to it's Parameters and turn off the headlamp. Press Ctrl-L if your viewport goes dark. Then go to Render Settings and Environment. Make sure Dome and Scene is used. Browse for an Environment Map and select one of the .hdr or .exr you got earlier (don't use jpg's as they're crap). Depending on what the HDRI is, you'll probably want to turn Draw Dome on as this will give you a background image of some kind. Render. If the light is coming from the wrong direction, use Dome Rotation to alter it until you're happy, or load another hdri.

I rarely use the normal lights now. HDRI's do the job for me but I mainly do portrait/figure stuff.
Happy rendering.