A few questions before I start..

I would look at trying to find arms from another figure that are bigger.

Do you have any drawings of the characters you're making?

I finally got all the base figures, and all the supplies I need but the sculpt. I got the Model Masters Acryl paints, which were actually at Hobby Lobby. I was quite surprised.

Although, I do have another question.

One of my characters has a bigger arm mass, and muscle mass than the other two characters. So for the Street Fighter IV NECA Ken, would I have to "boil-n'-pop" his arms to sculpt over it? Or how would I manage to sculpt over it but keep the articulation right, and not mess anything up?

This is proving to be quite difficult, but I think when I'm done, this'll all be worth it.

try wwe deluxe figures they have more articulation, are they aren't that expensive on ebay.

Okay, so I got the first SFIV Ken, but I still need two more.

Now, I'm also thinking about using some wrestlers too (between Jeff & Matt Hardy, and Rey Mysterio), but none of them have mid-section articulation.
And they don't have all that much articulation in general, so I'm not too sure it would be a good idea to even use them, but I think it'd be better for the two smaller ones (Ryu, and Draycho, who have relatively normal, to small builds), and then Archound (the biggest one) could probably keep the Ken as a base. Although, I may need to add some more height in him, dunno yet.

So how would I go about making mid-section articulation? Would it be incredibly complicated, and I'd just be better off leaving it as is?

If you want to try Sculpey its not a bad way to go because it doesn't harden till you bake or boil it, cause its heat set. I don't know much about it, but I would get the firmest stuff you can. I know there is a guy on Heman.org and Deviant art that I watch for his stuff, he uses Makins Clay(Its an air dry clay)....he seems to like it and it seems to work pretty good for him. There is no right or wrong sculpt material, just personal preference.

Thanks again for all the help Bobtheodd!

I have (yet) another question; I was just doing a bit of research, and saw that some people were using sculpey.
This seems like it'd be better for me, because I wouldn't have to order it online, or wait for it to arrive.

My question is, would it work for what I'm trying to do? Or should I go and try to get the Aves?
And if I were to use Sculpey, should I work with the Sculpey III? Super Sculpey? Or the Original sculpey?

Yes, that is what I meant.

Well I can say you are taking a big bite for a first time customizer. I think most of us started with simple head swaps and repaints(or at least I know I did).

Only buy a bunch is you plan to use it. If this is your first figure, are you sure you can sculpt what you want? Get some regular clay to play with first if your not sure, don't waste you sculpt material. Only get the large size if you think this is a hobby you will stick with...or it could just go to waste.
As far as guns go, you can pick up some of those cheapo $1 store army figures or a 8 pack they have at TUR. They are GI Joe size figure, but the weapons are way over sized. Or you could try the trade lists of one of the fine people on here. The have guns and whatnot in their fodder, most are very easy/nice to deal with.
Hope that helps.

The clay idea is really good actually, because I'm not too confident in my sculpting abilities. So I think I'll buy some clay first (maybe playdoh? haha) and try so sculpt what I want. Then after a few tries, I'll try with the Apoxy sculpt.

As for the painting, I think I'll do a fairly decent job. I've been working in art/drawing for quite some time now, about like, 5 years or so, so I don't think drawing or painting anything would be a problem.

But the dollar star army figures is a great idea. I'll be sculpting over the guns anyway, because the guns in my comic look different than regular guns.
And what is TUR? (unless you mean TRU?)

Well I can say you are taking a big bite for a first time customizer. I think most of us started with simple head swaps and repaints(or at least I know I did).

Only buy a bunch is you plan to use it. If this is your first figure, are you sure you can sculpt what you want? Get some regular clay to play with first if your not sure, don't waste you sculpt material. Only get the large size if you think this is a hobby you will stick with...or it could just go to waste.
As far as guns go, you can pick up some of those cheapo $1 store army figures or a 8 pack they have at TUR. They are GI Joe size figure, but the weapons are way over sized. Or you could try the trade lists of one of the fine people on here. The have guns and whatnot in their fodder, most are very easy/nice to deal with.
Hope that helps.

While I'm thinking about it, I actually have a few more worries. Mostly because this is my very first time customizing and all :P

But anyway, I'm not entirely sure how much of the sculpt I'm going to need, because I'll be molding over the Ken head, and probably a bit in other areas too.

I've seen people throughout the board say that the small tub lasts them a long time.
So should I just get that one? Or the 4 pound one that's like, 32 dollars?

And does anybody know any good figures that have weapons that would fit with an 8" figure? Mostly like guns. I was wondering if G.I Joes would work, but I don't know.

Oh! Okay. That won't be too hard to do then :P
Thanks!

yeah u just drill in his/her back stick a screw or a nail and drill a samller hole in the gun if it gets too big a drop of super glue will make the hole smaller..

and it can work vice versa

I'm starting to finally figure all of this stuff out (right paints to use, all that good stuff)

I have a few things I'm worried about though.

Anybody know of any action figures that come with like, bullet straps? Almost like Rambo? But like, ones that could fit a 8" figure?

Also for guns and such? Specifically a shotgun, an assault rifle, a sniper rifle, and two short swords.
Would GI joe stuff work, do you think?

And because I'd like them to have all their weapons handy, how would I go about making pegs for their back? I know it'd require me to drill holes into the weapons themselves, but like, would I just make the peg out of apoxy sculpt? Or would I have to use one off of an existing figure?

Thanks for all the help!

I think bobtheodd said it all really that's exactly what I'd do. Oh and be sure to check out the tutorials he mentioned too, they'll help you loads.

I recently posted a tutorial about street fighter 4 figures, so be sure to read it, it may be helpfull at some point.

You could just glue in a section from the leg of another figure I guess, then sculpt around that. When I was speaking of that rod, I was thinking more along the lines of an aluminum nail. You should be able to cut the head of it off easy with a dremal(make sure to wear eye protection). Then drill into the leg stumps to the depth(not too deep, you don't want to hit the joints) Vs the length of the rod to give you the height you want and glue it all in place.
That is just one idea, like I said some of the other people on here have do a lot of mods, they may have some better ideas.

Oh! Okay! I know what you mean now! haha.
I was thinking more along the lines of those little pegs that are in some (or maybe all, don't really know) that connect the thigh and lower leg, and make it able to move back and forth.

But using a nail, I honestly never would've thought of that!
Thanks again!

You could just glue in a section from the leg of another figure I guess, then sculpt around that. When I was speaking of that rod, I was thinking more along the lines of an aluminum nail. You should be able to cut the head of it off easy with a dremal(make sure to wear eye protection). Then drill into the leg stumps to the depth(not too deep, you don't want to hit the joints) Vs the length of the rod to give you the height you want and glue it all in place.
That is just one idea, like I said some of the other people on here have do a lot of mods, they may have some better ideas.

Thank you!

Another quick question though, for the "rod" that your talking about, could I just tear apart an old action figure for that?

Welcome to the Realm!!
First off, let me suggest you check out this section for basics: http://www.figurerealm.com/customtutorial.php
As far as your questions:
1. If you need him taller, then cut the leg mid thigh(or calf..or both to make the leg look even) then place a "rod" between the 2 stumps. Then mold your sculpting material around the peg/rod to shape. For shorter, just cut out a small slice and then fix the 2 stumps back together using a peg or pen(like a skeleton) then sculpt to blend.
2. If the paint is a slight blemish, then just paint over it.
Hope it helps. I know some of the fells on here do a lot of sculpting work and might have more tips for you.