I feel like I'm still not getting it

[gilded aspen]

Maybe I can get some pointers. I'm still relatively new to painting (about a year) and I'm having issues with blending and edge highlighting, etc. I use a combo of the army painter brushes and some brushed from a company called grey-to-play, and use mainly pro-acryl for my base and layers with vallejo and Citadel for metallic/technical and contrast/shades.

When it comes to blending, It comes down to: 1. I can never get a decent consistency that puts enough paint on the mini, or 2. It goes on too thick and looks too contrasted.

For edges, It always goes on too thick. I'm using the side (barrel ?) Of the brush and going as gently as I possibly can but it still blots on the edges.

A note on my dry brushing: I feel like i can also never get consistent results. I either brush off too much on my paper towel and it just doesn't go on, or it goes on too heavy and again, looks blotchy.
(Ignore the unfinished base on the hunter).

[civic ember]

To me it looks like your brush control is actually pretty good but what might be more the case is the quality of the print you’re working with. There are very visible layer lines and those are definitely going to muck up any edge highlights and dry brushing you’re trying to do.

I’d say if you’re getting frustrated maybe treat yourself to a cool, good quality mini that you’re really into for xmas and try painting that instead of 3d printed stuff.

You may find that it is a lot easier to improve the skills you’ve mentioned.