I need some help with sculpting

Posted in Custom Workstation

Hey guys!
Sorry this is so long, but I really need some help and want to be specific.

So I just got everything I need for sculpting and started working on an old figure of mine. The problem I have is that every time I try to sculpt( I've done some clay work in the past) it ends up looking like, well shaped clay. For instance, if I make a helmet, it doesn't look like a helmet, but instead, a piece of clay resembled to look like a helmet. it doesn't have that clean, precise, look that makes sculpting look like real pieces of the figure. Like real items. So, how do I get a clean, precise sculpt? A few things, I have an extensive art background and am quite good drawing. I'm using milliput and some sculpting tools. And the work I make is alright. Its just not as clean and smooth and realistic as some of the other amazing sculpting I've seen. Is it a matter of more practice, or are there certain techniques used to making such clean sculpts? One thing I'm especially puzzled with is how to make very intricate details look smooth and clean without messing up what you've already sculpted. Do you smooth it out when the sculpt has cured or when it's still malleable? Please help, as I am just so baffled at how some one takes a glob of clay and sculpts a perfect masterpiece filled with clean, smooth, and flawless detail.