ok, so I'm trying to paint this figure to serve as a commander for my stryker. it just that I think it's just not good.
any tips and help on how to make it more "realistic"? -note, that no wash or drybrush was done, i'm just asking about the overall paint and colors. i tried to paint it according to trumpeter's painting instructions and with some pictures i've found.

The pattern is too large and looks just thrown on. Here is a great tutorial that may help.

Another thing you may want to do is remove that cast on boom mike and use either a PE one, or make one from extremely thin stretched sprue.

Eyes are real tough on 1/35,I usually go with just painting the eyebrows,then highlighing the sockets and cheeck bones.Unless you have a tiny brush and good hands,it's not easy to get the whites right.Perhaps with more practice and experience.

studying the pattern more closely will help and maybe a finer brush? good luck!

OK then: stryker commander - take two!
Followed the guide Gino gave a link to (thanks a lot! it's great) and this is what I've accomplished. The result (to my humble opinion) is indeed far better then the previous job:

Wrong colors, paint to thick and you defo need to spend more time on painting the camo pattern.

There is n o magic wand to painting figures, its a simple case of practice makes perfect and the more you learn to paint figures the better you will become! So keep at it buddy

..although you can start with never beliving the color recommendations on most producers color paint guides

Looking better, but still not there. Try using a smaller brush and make the camo squiggles more smoothly so you don't have ragged edges. I use a 000 brush and a small amount of paint. The squiggles should be bore blobby as well. They look like straight brush strokes on yours. Also, on the vest, all the little loops on the front and back should be dark green.

As Roy says, practice, practice, practice to get better at painting camo patterns on figures. There is no other solution.

Figures are not my strong point either. The Desert Combat Uniform does not have the color green in it. It consists of brown, light tan, and a desert pink. The body armor if you stay with the woodland camo would be a dark green, with brown, black and a tan. There should be plenty of pictures on the internet of both uniforms. A magnifying lens with a light or an optivisor are a must when painting figures. I would advise against painting the pupils and facial hair until you have improved upon your technique and ability. A great vehicle can be ruined by a poorly done figure. In the end its practice, practice and even more practice.