NEED HELP how to get smooth tight looking animal (griffon) skin

[system]

i need HELP! >< im trying to make my griffon and im new at this i just finished the skeleton of the griffon with the zspheres but when i cover the griffon skele with the bubbly things in sketch mode and i smooth it out as much as i can its still looks all ugly and muscle like this is the pic of the griffon im using as a reference

http://browse.deviantart.com/?q=griffon&order=9&offset=24#/dftaz5

so ya see how its skin is TIGHT AND SMOOTH plzzz help me! also should i add in the claws to the skeleton and then put the bubbly things over it? sorry i dont know wut its called and besides bubbly things sounds cuter LOL

[aurick]

ZSpheres aren’t meant to be used to create and detail your model from start to finish.

ZSpheres are an object generator. They’re meant to be used to create a base mesh in whatever overall shape you need. Once skinned (via Unified or Adaptive skinning) you then sculpt that mesh to create your final model.

[system]

so after i have the skeleton structure done i go to adaptive skin and set it up there? and since the skin still doesnt look complete do i use the carving and molding tools(or w/e they are called @.@) to make the skin look the way i want to? but i saw some vids that u have to cover the skeleton with the mesh manually? or is that just a different way to do it?? bah so confusing mayb if you have a vid that will answer my question on how to make the skin look super smooth and tight… and how to do it!