Yes that's what I mean by blocking. You've got that down and your use of washes is another step forward. Dry brushing is another, and necessary after a wash.
However, I think I have something you might like to try.
On you're next figure, I'd like for you to color match your washes. Instead of one overall dark wash try using a dark blue over blue pants, yellow-orange over the vest, and a red-brown for the skin tones etc. In this technique the wash will act, not only to deepen your shadows, but to add another color value to your tonal range. By varying the wash tones you can use the same base color but make it appear to be a separate meterial. Simply by adding a little black to a brown wash instead of red.
I've used a lot of red and pink hues when painting skin tones. Once you blend them together you just see a face and not a lot of paint splotches lol.
When you dry brush use a lightened shade of the orriginal color and only brush downward to catch the raised portions as light would naturally fall on them.
I think you'll like the results and I think you'll like the control over the tones much better than a simple overall dark wash. You'll notice how much more tonal control you have over the light values after a few figures.
Once you get a feel for that technique, which is the next step in the progression, I've got even more tricks if you're interested. The funny thing is, that once you get that far and get the feel for how easy it really is, the rest of it does get more fun.
But first, just take another step and see how it feels.
