Firstly: Re the dipping
If you are going to use the "dip" technique, make a seperate paint pot with it watered down and once dipped run a large brush over it to pick up all the excess paint so it doesn't drive gluggy.
Second: Re the photo
If you have a "macro" mode on your camera click it on and try again (this will allow you to focus to the closer model) otherwise stand further away as your camera can't focus that close (then if you have a editing program, crop in close)