The figure looks great from here, Greg. You're using acrylics and I use oils, so I couldn't give any realistic advice on that, but a wet pallet, IMHO, will give you constant wet paint to work from, thinned as much or as little as you need. I used a wet pallet for the tartans on my Highlander figures and opening up the plastic tub I can still see wet paint and can use it with just a minor bit of mixing or adding a dab more to bring it back alive.
The quality of paint is a major issue with acrylic figure painters, just like my oils are for me. If you're constantly getting lumps with whatever paint you are using, try a higher quality paint. Lumpy paint should never be an issue when painting figures; it hinders the end result, as you already know.
Do you use primer on your figures before painting? I do myself and before any color ever touches the figure, I carefully scrutinize the entire surface of the figure for any missed mold lines, bumps, areas to repair, etc. Lumps that you would have missed without primer "pop out" after a light coat of primer.
Your leather work looks great too, btw.