Does anyone know of a technique to make firgures look wet, as if they're standing in the rain or some such?

I suspect it would be something like the technique people use for painting sheer clothing.

Any hints tips and/or links anyone has would be appreciated.

Many thanks,
CúChullain.

PS. In case you're wondering, no, I'm not planning on doing a wet T-shirt diorama

use a toothbrush with some gloss varnish on it a spaltter the model from the top. Also helps to have the base covered in gloss varnish.

are u planning on doing rain drops?

i always luv'd it how they did it for Wallace and Gromit, using fibre glass droplets. but for something smaller like miniatures, im sur you could use something as simple as a glue gun to make droplets.

I would probably do sheer clothing, if the material looks thin... then yeah some gloss varnish on the highpoints of the face like the brow, nose, cheekbones. Maybe some on the shoulder tops and see how that looked.

AWWW, geez John, there you go getting people's hopes up!!

I think it all depends on the kind of rain the model is in too.
If its really heavy I think the model would more of less look like its been dipped in varnish
Also rain creates mud so the boots and lower pants of the figure would look like they are caked in mud.
finally you should have puddles on the base, you could do this with a thick patch of varnish or PVA and then take a pin and likely draw a few circles in it to make it look as if rain is striking the water.
Altogether that should be enough to make it look like rain and not like a crappy varnishing ;p

Like Zippy suggested go the puddles and weathering on the bottom. I've done this with my test valhallan but i only used gloss varnish on the boots and bottom of the longcoat. I wouldn't suggest coating the whole model in gloss varnish as then the effect wouldn't be noticable, it will just look like it's been gloss varnished