Good things come in narrow packages

[Sumpter250]

! I am always hesitant about putting figures around because I am never really completely happy with the results. They enhance other layouts that I have seen, but when I do it, it seems "fake" looking to me. Maybe I need to do a better job on the painting, or re-painting in this case. Most got some paint, and all got a light ink wash.................probably just need practice

Part of "convincing figures", is selecting figures that can "work with each other", as in, their "poses" are complimentary.
Then, placing them in the scene, to see how they work with it. Like:    
Next, adjusting their "style" to be appropriate for the scene they're in ( sometimes just a little paint works, sometimes their "fashion" needs a little tweek )
With a bit of playing around with the scene you can get them where and how they look the most natural, and can then "equip them" with the necessary details so they appear to have a function in the scene. Kind of like,The bar tender has a glass in is hand and, is handing it to the gentleman in the dark suit.:     ,.:    
Sometimes you may need to "remove and reposition" an arm or a leg, or strip their "clothes" off and redress them ( paint, and some "single ply" of facial tissue,cut to shape, dipped in "wet" water and white glue, applied, and adjusted to look right. )
The "naked" lady in the first picture, standing by the bar, is the lady in the red dress in the second picture.

Hope that helps you "populate" your scenes.